Grindelwald is a picturesque little village located in the heart of the Bernese Alps. This outdoor mecca is popular year-round for hiking, climbing, skiing, and sightseeing. In this blog post, I am going to share our favourite place to stay in the area and why you need to add it to your itinerary!
During our honeymoon this fall, David and I had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Glacier in Grindelwald. The wonderful combination of luxurious amenities, delectable food, and killer views left us in awe of each moment we spent at this beautiful boutique hotel.
After a week of hiking and camping through the alps, this marvellous property was the perfect place to relax and unwind for a few days.
The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful from check-in to check-out. They went above and beyond to ensure that we enjoyed our time in Grindelwald offering recommendations, transportation information, and even early access to the spa!
This charming 28-room hotel was first established in 1864. After a complete revamp in 2018, they reopened offering guests an even more unique and extravagant experience. One of our favourite parts was the private whirlpool on our terrace boasting magnificent views of Eiger Mountain.
Looking back on 150 years of history, our name alludes to the Lower Grindelwald Glacier that once reached all the way to the valley. Now the hotel shines once again with a fresh-faced sustainable design that reveals a love of the ice and mountains found right on our doorstep. One glimpse of Eiger North Face through your window and you’ll be itching to head outdoors and hit the heights.
– Hotel Glacier
The Location
Grindelwald is an inviting Swiss town full of character and charisma. Known for being a gateway to the famous Jungfrau Region, there is no shortage of outdoor activities at your doorstep. Only a 30 minutes drive from Interlaken, it is the perfect home base for a romantic, secluded getaway while keeping you close to all the action.
The hotel itself is within walking distance of the main street, the train stations, and the gondola. Upon check-in, you will receive a card that provides discounts for public transit, gondolas, and activities for the duration of your stay.
The rooms are amazing, the customer service is outstanding, and the food is superb. The smaller amenities, though, really take this property to the next level! From the gym to the spa to the complimentary laundry room, Hotel Glacier has thought of everything.
The Rooms
The 28 accommodation options at Hotel Glacier range from budget-friendly double rooms to signature suites. Each one is an alpine retreat in its own right, with a home-style ambience. We stayed in a Signature Room and would highly recommend it!
The plush king-sized bed was covered with rose petals and we received a tasty welcome drink upon our arrival. The spacious suite included a lounging area, 2 flat-screen TVs, a coffee bar, a rainfall shower, a heated towel rack, and a backlit headboard.
What really blew us away, though, was the terrace! On it was our private whirlpool with fantastic views over Grindelwald and the surrounding mountains. We spent the majority of our time out there soaking up the sun, the water, and the backdrop!
The Spa
Trust me on this one, you don’t want to miss the spa. This is something we don’t see all the time in Canada but are delighted by its popularity in Switzerland. Although many hotels offer spa facilities in this wonderful country, Hotel Glacier is a step above the rest.
Here, they boast a steam room, sauna, multiple showers, a quiet lounging area, and a terrace with a pool and a hanging lounger overlooking the mountains. While in the spa, you can enjoy the serenity of the facilities and stay hydrated with complimentary tea and water.
The spa is open daily from 12 PM to 9:30 PM. It is also possible to make private bookings in the morning depending on availability. If you are looking for a romantic way to spend a few hours, this is it! A variety of rejuvenating in-house spa treatments can be booked through reception.
The Food
David and I have been to countless buffet breakfasts throughout our travels, but Hotel Glacier tops the list! In this wonderful spread, they include everything from bacon, sausage, and eggs, to cured meats, a cheese platter, a vast fruit selection and a whole table of baked goods.
If they have a fresh loaf of bread on the cutting board that looks like a braided pretzel, load your plate up! You can thank me later. On top of all of that, they also offer fantastic coffee and tea, a large cereal and juice selection, and fresh smoothies every morning.
During the day, Hotel Glacier offers a small À-La-Carte menu served in the lounge or on the terrace. Everything from the pasta to the burger with yam fries is fabulous! This menu is available from 12 PM until 5 PM. In the evening, we highly recommend treating yourself to a 3, 5 or 7-course surprise tasting menu.
Awarded 15 GaultMillau points, our chef Robert Steuri created a menu with produce sourced as locally as possible. Almost all our dishes start with homemade base-products and are adapted to the seasons. Several dishes include preparation steps like fermentation, smoking or dry-ageing. These processes take often more than a month and only then the kitchen team can start their magic.
– Hotel Glacier
We hope you have a wonderful time in Switzerland! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comment below with your thoughts on Boutique Hotel Glacier. We would love to hear from you.
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