Berggasthaus Aescher?

Cool, thanks for the help. I thought that would be a bit out of the way, and given my relatively limited amount of time over seas, I can see how that won't fit!

Anybody able to give some input on Berggasthaus Aescher? Thanks!

Berggasthaus Aescher is a great place! We've been there twice and had a great time (made a special effort to go that direction the 2nd time). It is not on the beaten path (seriously), but it is worth the effort! Claudia and Beny are great hosts, the location is to die for, and nothing beats sitting on the patio sipping Appenzeller bitters, eating bratwursts and rosti, and watching the sun go down on the Alps.

To get there: rental car is easier than train, but both work. We recommend taking a soft backpack and packing your essentials in it before leaving the car and going up the gondola (first time we dragged our roller suitcases to the gasthaus-- not hard downhill, but much tougher up!). Take the lift to the top station and follow the paved path downhill. After a few turns it goes through a gate and across the side of the increasingly steep hill to the mouth of a cave. Follow the path through the cave (wet, but lit by a light bulb), out the other side, along a cliff, and across a covered walkway that goes around the edge of the cliff (looks old, but is actually sturdy) and you are there. Rooms are "dorm-like" although one is a 4 person, so it is possible to get a bit of privacy-- no showers though. Recommend sending them an email as you get closer to make a reservation, as they fill up on the weekends. Hope you have a great time! John and Diane

Thanks for all the great replies, everyone. This message board is a treasure trove of knowledge! I'm sure I will have more questions as things move along, so I'll be back!