Places to stay in Gimmelwald & Murren

Murren and Gimmelwald are so very close there's no need staying in both places. Murren is a bit larger with a Grocery Store (The Coop) and I would choose The Chalet Fontana just across the street from the Coop, the ATM and the Stager Stubli. Contact Denise about availability.

http://www.ferntree.ch/chalet/fontana_summer.htm

frances,

Regarding your questions.....

1. I normally travel Sept. / Oct. but have also travelled in June / July (I prefer the fall).
2. I'd have to check my records, however that information doesn't have much value as prices change from year-to-year. Website will have the current prices.
3. Yes, accommodations in that area have always been "clean and neat".
4. Yes.
5. Using their website.

A few lodgings you could have a look at.....

• http://www.pensiongimmelwald.com/
• http://www.esthersguesthouse.ch/cms/en/
• http://www.ferntree.ch/chalet/fontana_summer.htm (note that some rooms have shared bathrooms)

You could also consider staying in Lauterbrunnen and here are a few places to consider....

• http://www.hoteloberland.ch/
• http://www.silberhorn.com/index.cfm?tem=1&spr=2&hpn=1

You may find it extremely helpful to buy a copy of the RS Switzerland guidebook as there's an enormous amount of information there not only on hotels and other lodgings, but also sightseeing, transportation, etc.

A. What time of year were you there?
I stayed in Mürren at the Hotel Edelweis in September 2014.

B. How much did you pay?
I paid about $100 per night for a single (don't have exact amount in CHF handy), by contacting them via e-mail and explaining that I found their hotel in Rick Steves Switzerland (which I did). The website did not show availability for a single, but by using direct e-mail, I got the room I needed, plus the RS discount.

C. Was it clean and neat?
It certainly was - this is Switzerland!

D. Would you stay there again?
Absolutely! The hotel is built right into the cliff and my single faced the mountains, and the view is staggering. Some of the larger rooms have balconies.

E. How do we contact owners?
See B above. I found that for Switzerland, all three of my hotels did not show the room I needed on their website booking engine, but by e-mailing them directly I got the room and a better price.

I agree you should get a copy of Rick Steves Switzerland ASAP; his chapter on the Berner Oberland, where Gimmelwald, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, etc are, is one of his very best (well, except for his over-focus on Gimmelwald; it's a nice place for a half-day, but hardly earth-shattering).

After reading recommendations on this travel forum, I just booked 2 nights in late Sept at the Hotel Bellevue.
I emailed owners Ruth & Othmar Suter directly at bellevue@muerren.ch and got a double room with terrace & a view (breakfast included) for the CHF150 per night - the Rick Steves discount.
Hope this info helps.

We stayed at the delightful, charming Hotel Bellevue the end of September 2014, for 4 nights in room 24.....panoramic views, balconies, delicious breakfast- averaged 175 CHF per night....170 & 190 (Sat.)
We can't wait to return!
Patsy