Hotel Belvedere
Features
- Terrace/Balcony
- Half board
The Belvedere is a superior family-run hotel, offering high standards of comfort and cuisine. Set on its own sun terrace, 5 mins’ walk from the centre, it has breathtaking Eiger and Wetterhorn views.
Bedrooms: 55. Twins and Junior Suites have bath, satellite TV, safe, radio, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, telephone, tea/coffee-making facilities and minibar. Most rooms have balcony, and south-facing rooms have wonderful mountain views, including the Eiger.
Meals: Excellent buffet breakfast and 6 course dinner with choice.
Facilities: Indoor pool with access to outdoor saltwater jacuzzi; also indoor jacuzzi (all free); Finnish and bio-saunas and steam bath (free of charge from 3-7 pm); massage and beauty treatments (pay locally); elegant lounges; smoker’s lounge; contemporary dining room; piano bar; games room; internet corner; lift. 5 minutes’ walk to mountain railway up to Kleine Scheidegg.
Special Attractions: • Pianist most evenings • Weekly hors d’oeuvre buffet and candlelight dinner • Salad buffet most days • Weekly farmers and dessert buffets • Excellent Christmas and New Year programme of gala dinners incl. (jacket and tie compulsory) • Hotel runs free ski bus service to ‘First’ and ‘Männlichen’ ski lifts during peak hours • Ski boot heaters in skiroom • Weekly programme of outdoor activities (weather permitting, supp.)
Official Rating: 4 star superior
Grindelwald Resort Info
Accessible from Berne (75km) and Zurich (2/3 hours), Grindelwald is the oldest yet least- known of the 3 Jungfrau resorts (which combine to offer 188km of piste). Most will have heard of Wengen and Murren. All 3 sit around the magnificent Eiger, with Grindelwald at the base. This does lead to a lack of sun in the winter. A mountaineering Mecca, the setting and scenery are fantastic and the resort is picturesque in the extreme, although Murren possesses the best views. Grindelwald has its own domain, linked with Wengen, while a slight trek can get you to Murren. In particular, the cog railway and the gondola to most of the skiing can get clogged, especially at weekends. The lift system is rather antiquated, but should be receiving attention soon.
Grindelwald has Europe's longest sledge run - it is 15 km long!
The skiing favours intermediates, while advanced skiers may miss out if they aren't prepared to travel. The resort is hugely popular with families. The ski school also has a reasonable reputation, with many English-speaking instructors. Grindelwald's biggest problem is a lack of guaranteed snow, with most of the skiing between 1000m and 2000m.
There is plenty to do off the snow, with the train helping you to get around. Après-ski is pretty laid-back, while hotel restaurants are the focus for good grub. There are a few reasonable bars and 2 clubs, so it's slightly livelier than the other Jungfrau resorts. Access is provided by train from Interlaken.
Overall, a beautiful family ski resort, with a great selection of skiing and non-skiing options available. Grindelwald, funnily enough, only really comes into its own when there is ample snow.
The World Snow Festival takes place in Grindelwald each year. Thousands of sculpturers present their creations on this event. It is worth watching them how they make their creations.
More Grindelwald resort information