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Looking for a 'Gasthaus Wildkirchli' but not in Appenzell

We have been to Gasthaus Wildkirchli several times--every time we are in the part of Switzerland. :). We love it.

This time however we are not planning on being near Appenzell but are still looking for a place like that. Charming, friendly, in the mountains, easy to get to (we have a 4-1/2 year-old who did Gasthaus Wildkirchli when she was 3-1/2 years old).

Is Wildkirchli unique or does someone out there have a favorite that they would like to share? :)

We plan to be mostly in the mountains south, southeast, and east of Lucerne/Luzern.

Thanks all!

Posted by
16895 posts

I'm not familiar with other places that are similarly isolated but also accessible by lift. Of course, Gimmelwald is quite small and comes with great mountain views, just a few B&Bs, a youth hostel, and Walter's old-school Hotel Mittaghorn where dorm beds and showers down the hall are an option.

Posted by
17360 posts

There are actually isolated mountain inns all over Switzerland, although none I know of a perched on a rock ledge like this mone. The mountain inns or Berghotels are a Swiss institution, not to be confused with the alpine huts which are also isolated but situated more for climbers or serious hikers.

There is a book devoted to them, "Switzerland's Mountain Inns" by the Liebermans. It is probably out of print but I haven't looked for one lately. I would consult my own copy for something in the area you describe, but it is out on loan to a friend. We love the one up on the shore of Oeschinensee, a beautiful lake above Kandersteg. You get there by gondola from the village, and then walk or take an electrobus or horse-drawn carriage to the hotel. they have both private rooms and dorms. Mall bathrooms are shared.

Www.oeschinensee.ch

We include a night or three in each trip to Switzerland. I did not mention it earlier as it is well to the west of the area you will be.

Posted by
271 posts

Oeschinensee, now THAT is an eye sore ;) But seriously, it is beautiful. It is a little west of where we plan to be, but it has given me an idea. I am going to look for mountain lakes and see what I find up perched on their shores.

Thanks again. Anyone else? I know that there are more gems out there!

Posted by
17360 posts

You could buy a copy of the book I mentioned on Amazon, $14.95 new or as low as $1.95 used. They list 66 such inns all over Switzerland (but possibly not in your area;I do not recall any).

Or try Googling the name of each lake and alp or village in the area you will be, together with the word "Berghotel" or "Berggasthaus."