A group of four will be traveling to Appenzell Town (AT) in late September and hope to stay one night at the Berggasthaus Aescher (BA). The scenario: fly into Zurich early afternoon and catch a train to AT arriving late afternoon (@1600...yes, I know we have a train switch in there). We'd stay that night in AT then plan on spending the next night at BA. We'd go back to AT and spend some time there then hop a train to our next destination. Does this sound doable, keeping in mind that we may be a bit jet lagged? Any good suggestions for housing in AT? What should we do with our luggage when we go to BA? None of us will have a ton of luggage. Are there luggage lockers or will the lodging place in AT be kind enough to let us leave our luggage there? Thank you!
Posted by
Northern California (formerly Brescia and Lago di Garda Italy)
127 posts
Aescher is really weather dependent so if you have no flexibility on which day you go you might want to consider staying in Appenzell and explore Aescher and surrounding trails from there. We like to go up to Aescher for lunch when in the area (spectacular) but only in good weather. In stormy weather I’m not sure the gondolas even go up since there is a small hike to get there. Since you are looking at lodging you could call them and see how reservations work if weather is bad.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32446 posts
That seems like a lot of moving around for such a short stay, especially in a jet lagged state. In the same situation, I'd use Appenzell as a "home base" and day trip from there.
I would highly recommend the Hotel Adler in Appenzell - https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/accommodations/hotel-adler-appenzell/ . I was very pleased with the room, the food and the service there (and hopefully that hasn't changed).
The warning about weather even in September is a good point to keep in mind. Last time I was there (which was in June a few years ago), the locals said there was fresh snow in the vicinity of Gasthaus Aescher and they recommended not even trying to go there. i heeded their advice!