Murren or Gimmelwald?

Depends on a few factors: When are you traveling? What activities do you like? What sort of atmosphere do you prefer?

If you like winter sports and are traveling in the winter, Murren offers easier access to the slopes, although Gimmelwald isn't too far away.

In the summer, either destination is a suitable base for hiking.

As for atmosphere, Murren feels more like a resort than a village. Gimmelwald is nearly an unspoiled gem of Alpine culture... nearly, because if you visit during the peak seasons, you may see more Americans carrying Rick's Swiss guidebook than locals.

And if you plan to visit in the shoulder seasons (late October- early December, April-early June)... pick another destination, because almost everything in both villages closes.

For me, I would rather stay in Murren. We stayed at Hotel Eiger (in RS book) and loved it. Murren is charming, very small and has more amenities. Gimmelwald is a short, beautiful 10 or so minute walk downhill from Murren. It is wonderful but very, very rustic. Both places are great, it just depends on what you prefer: comfort and amenities in an incredibly beautiful setting (Murren) or rustic, simple accomodations in a small, rustic community surrounded by pastures in an incredibly beautiful setting (Gimmelwald). Both are car free except that Murren does have some service vehicles that are allowed to drive through.

I definitely agree to stay in Muerren and just visit Gimmelwald from there. It's a beautiful and relaxing walk down to Gimmelwald from Muerren, and then you can ride the Gondola back "up" from Gimmelwald to Muerren.

Hi Bryan,
While not one of the two villages your asking about, just thought I'd mention we absolutely loved staying in Wengen at the Hotel Eiger, on the opposite side of the valley.

www.eiger-wengen.ch

Paul

Hotel Jungfrau in Murren was great. Another town that was really nice on the other side of the valley nearby (along the Eiger Trail) is Wengen. A great hillside town right above Lauterbrunnen valley up on the cliff! amazing. Stay at Hotel Baeren - nice homey family run place - comfortable and great food!

For a honeymoon, I would definitely choose Mürren. I don't think any of the accomodations in Gimmelwald are "honeymoon" quality. For a romantic place in Mürren, take a look at Hotel Alpenruh:
http://www.alpenruh-muerren.ch/

I agree that the Hotel Alpenruh is a nice place, and it also has a very good restaurant. It's located right at the Gondola station from Gimmelwald/Schilthorn. If you choose to stay there make sure that you get a room that is "not" on the ground floor. The views from the ground floor rooms are obstructed by trees.

We were there 6 days ago, and loved our time spent staying in... Murren. Stayed at Chalet Boebs (in the RS book) in a 1 BR apartment with a BR window that opened onto a view of the Alps and the sound of a waterfall below us. Boebs is the last house in Murren on the walking path down to Gimmelwald. We liked Gimmelwald... but found Murren convenient for food (Co-op, restaurants) and transportation. Either way, though, the Alps are incredible!