Fun/good places to stay in the Bernese Oberland area?

Rich, If you're considering Hostels, you might have a look at the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald. With a group of four, I'd suggest booking soon. You could also have a look at Chalet Fontana in Mürren or Esther's Guesthouse in Gimmelwald. Happy travels!

For something fun, and also different fromnthe usual recommendations, you could consider one of the many Berghaus ( mountain inn) options in the area. Mthey are rustic,inexpensive ( somenwith dormitory rooms) and situated spectacular places. Many require a hike of one to several hours; others can be reached by bus, train or lift. High Above Grindelwald, Berghaus offer a 360 degree panorama view. Www.faulhorn.ch You may be there too early for their season, however. On the First gondola, at mid-mountain, is the Berghaus . In the upper Lauterbrunnen Valley, past Stechelberg, there are three inns, starting with Hotel Trachsellauenen, an hour's walk, then Tschingelhorn and Obersteinberg. Above Mereingen, on the way to Grosse Scheidegg, there is the Chalet Hotel Schwartzwaldalp. Above Mürren, Pension Suppenalp and Pension Sonnenberg. That is just for starters.

Thank you both for great information. I have begun to look at pensions and to figure out exactly what they are. Still struggling to find information on them. I have been able to get some information on a couple of them that you mention. Having to hike to any of these, is not only something we would consider, it would actually be ideal! Do these places tend to have private bedrooms, or are they mostly like hostel dorms? Or are they all different? Thanks!!
Rich

Berghotels generally have private double rooms whith shared bath, and many have dorm rooms (Matratzenlager or simply Lager) as well. Many have their own website, such as Hotel Schwartzwaldalp: http://www.schwarzwaldalp.ch/ And I gave the wrong website for Faulhorn: http://www.berghotel-faulhorn.ch/ and Tschingelhorn: http://www.tschingelhorn.ch/jom/ Berghaus Bort is less remote and more upscale: http://www.berghaus-bort.ch/ Obersteinberg is harder to find on the internet (I don't think Obersteinberg even has electricity.) But if you google Tschingelhorn, or Obersteinburg you will find photos, references to them, and phone numbers. (I seem to recall reading that Trachsellauenen may have closed, but I don't remember the details.) They are also listed in the book "Switzerland's Mountain Inns" which is a bit out of date but still a good place to start for finding these Swiss gems. Faulhorn, if they are open ou your dates, would be a priority. You can hike there from the top of the Grindelwald First lift in a couple of hours. They have double and triple rooms as well as Touristenlager. We have eaten lunch there but I've never managed the logistics of actualy staying overnight. The beyond-Stechelberg places would also be a top priority for me, especially Tschingelhorn. After seeing the photos on their website, I want to go right now!!!.

Thank you again, Lola. A flood of leads for me. A few of them are not translating into English for me, though I may be able to utilize Google Chrome for that. I still have a little German left over from college, so I think I'm getting the gist of it. It's very interesting. Looks like a lot of the beds sleep just one person regardless of the level of lodging. And I'm learning about half boards and that some rates are per person. Regardless, the people and the terrain seem incredible and I cannot wait to get there and start walking. And the range of lodging options is almost daunting. Thanks again for sharing all that knowledge!
Rich