Decisions, decisions.. stay in Grimmelwald or Lauterbrunnen

Please clarify so we can answer: You said "Grimmelwald"? Do you mean Gimmelwald or Grindelwald ? (these are two different places)

Oops... sorry. I meant Gimmelwald.. didn't realise there should be no R.. Thanks for pointing out.. not familiar with german spelling!

Clare, i prefer Lauterbrunnen for easier access, more restaurants, shopping (grocery store), laundry facility, but i have to say that Gimmelwald, had much better scenery/views.

We thought Gimmelwald was wonderful. Park at the Zeilbahn (lift)--it was free, i think--load you and your luggage, then walk to your B&B. It was peaceful with no cars, cows lowing, easy access to wonderful trails.

We walked to Murren and took the funicular to the start of the trail that leads by the three farms and back to Gimmelwald. It was the highlight of my trip, with wonderful views of the mountains, fields of wildflowers in June, and stops at the little farms for snacks, The scenery looks like the travel posters you see of Switzerland.
They were also haying--mostly by hand--in June, which was fun to watch.
We stayed at Esther's. She's very businesslike but it was fine, with kitchen access (you can't sit by the window to eat is she's fixing breakfast for someone). There is also a hostel there, also with a gorgeous view. We moved down to Lauterbrunnen before going to the Jungfraujoch so that we wouldn't have to pay an extra up and down on the Zeilbahn.
There is more to do in Lauterbrunnen if you crave a few shops and any nightlife.
Both places are gorgeous!
Jinny

We stayed in Lauterbrunnen last summer and are staying there because its so centrally located. That way you can decide to go left or right depending on which has better sun.

I too have the same question on where to stay, I am going in the middle of May, I am hoping for clear, beautiful weather like all of the pictures show! Hopefully.

I guess middle of may would be better to stay in lauterbrunnen than Gimmelwald since the snow might have melted and paths mushy...no green grass or wildflowers yet?

Personally, I would stay again at the Valley Hostel...for the price and easy access to Gimmelwald, Murren and Wengen.

The hostel and the entire town in within walking distance of the train station, etc.

Hello All,

Thank you for all the feedbacks and help.. this is why forums are just so fantastic.. learing from others first hand. Thank you!

I will be staying 3 days in Lauterbrunnen (room available only for 2 nights) and then moving on to Grindelwald for 5 days.. I wrote to Esther but no idea why she did not get back to me (closed? during shoulder season).

I'm so looking forward to the views and hopefully come across meadows of wild flowers while there (early June). That would be just so great.. a feast for the eyes and soul!!

If anyone has more tips, please feel free to advice.. especially tips on what to do, get around and where to hike (prefer easier ones and not be too ambitious cos my 2 kids (me & hubby) included are the kind that sit behind computers nearly all day ;(

Thanks once again.

If it's available, the Hotel Staubbach is the last along the line in Lauterbrunnen, and you could get a room with a deck facing the waterfall with no obstructions and the huge mountains. Quite a spectacular site to wake up to in the morning.

I concur with Scott on his recommendation of the Hotel Staubbach. We stayed there last summer and the views were spectacular. I'm usually don't care what view I have out my hotel window, but we splurged a bit to get a room with a view and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

We haven't stayed anywhere else in the valley, so I can't compare, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Staubbach. It's on one end of the town, but it's so small it's only a 5 minute walk to the train station.

A no-brainer to me; views are so much better if you get up higher, tho the Lauterbrunnen Valley is pretty. Be careful not to mix up Grimmelwald with Gimmelwald, which is the tiny Alpine village. I would definitely choose Esther's in G'wald - wonderful place to stay - be sure and try her delicious homemade yogurt if the goats haven't gone up the mountain yet! I enjoyed Murren, the next town up the mountain - thought the views were even more spectacular and hiking more accessible. But G'wald is a special experience, not to be missed.

To Mala: Yes, there is plenty of green gras and wildflowers in May!

Clare,

Although you've now booked accommodations, I wanted to comment for "future reference".

In the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the three most popular places to stay are Lauterbrunnen, Murren and Gimmelwald. Each location has it's own "charms", so it's pretty much a matter of personal preference.

There are a variety of accommodations in Gimmelwald. The choices are listed in Rick's books and also the "official" Gimmelwald website (www.gimmelwald.ch). In addition to Esther's B&B (which was expanded in Fall 2006), there's also the famous and well regarded Mountain Hostel, the Pensione (which I believe has just re-opened under new ownership) of of course Walter's Hotel Mittaghorn.

Murren is a bit larger so tends to have more "conventional" Hotels and tourist facilities as well as a Co-Op Store. There are some B&B's there as well, again listed in Rick's book.

When in that area, be sure to take the Cable Cars (4 different segments) to the top of the Schilthorn for a nice hot meal in one of the world's first revolving restaurants. It's at 10,000 feet and the views are awesome! It's where the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service was partially filmed (trust me, the building DIDN'T explode!). If you like, you can have a Martini "shaken not stirred" in the Bar (one floor below the restaurant as I recall).

Grindelwald is in the next valley, and is larger and somewhat more "touristy". The gateway to all the towns in that area is Interlaken.

Happy travels!

Noted with thanks! We leave this Friday ;). Monday's temp. in Zurich was high (30 deg. celcius) but today, it has gone down to 12 deg. celcius.

I am planning to be in Gimmelwald in late June/early July. Has anyone been there at that time? Will there still be wildflowers around? I wanted to go a little earlier but it just didn't work out.

Also has anyone stayed at Chalet Anneli? It looks really nice.