Hotel Bären

Switzerland , Bernese Oberland , Wilderswil

  • Solo Holidays
  • Central Location
  • Family-Run
3/5
Inghams rating

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official rating.

  • Oberdorfstrasse 1 - 3812 Wilderswil

Facilities

  • Sauna/Steam Room
  • Bar
  • Single Rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Restaurant

Wilderswil at a glance

  • German
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • Birmingham Int. (BHX), Bristol (BRS), Edinburgh (EDI), London City (LCY), London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), Manchester Int. (MAN)
  • London St Pancras (QQS)

Included in your walking holiday to Wilderswil

  • Half price rail, bus, and boat travel with the Swiss Half Fare Card (worth over £100 per person)
  • Swiss Family Card Included - free travel for children under 16 on mainline trains/buses/boats in Switzerland when accompanied by a parent
  • Free Interlaken/Wilderswil Guest Card with unlimited use of local buses and trains
  • On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Experts based in Switzerland
  • Access to Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks, and useful information
  • Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation on a bed & breakfast or half board basis

About Hotel Bären

A stone's throw from the village square, you'll discover the charming Hotel Bären - the epitome of 'Swissness'. It's a traditional Bernese Inn in the quiet village of Wilderswil, where Swiss wine, Swiss cooking, Swiss cheese, and Swiss hospitality await you. The hotel's history dates back to 1706, and it has a relaxed and amiable atmosphere thanks to the warm and welcoming care of Bernard Müller.

Bären means 'bears' in English, and you'll find them all over this charming hotel. Each of the rooms is individually styled, full of traditional furniture and rustic charm, some with stunning mountain views.

The train station's just a 10-minute walk away, and there's a bus stop only 100 metres from the door. It is easy to see the best of the area, whether you want an afternoon in the bustling town of Interlaken, a day trip on Lake Thun or Brienz, a trip to the Alpine Garden at Schynige Platte or to explore the walking trails further into the Jungfrau region.

Meals are excellent and exceptionally generous, offering an authentic taste of Swiss cuisine. The first-floor terrace is the jewel in the crown with its unobstructed views of the majestic Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger mountains. Enjoy a welcome drink in the wine cellar upon arrival to the hotel. 

Spa & wellness facilities:

  • Sauna (in adjacent building)

Hotel facilities:

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Garden and terrace
  • Parking
  • Transfer time: approx. 2hrs 45mins by rail from Zurich airport or 3hrs by rail from Geneva airport. Your journey involves two changes of train. On arrival/departure you'll get a taxi from Interlaken Ost station
  • 500 metres from the village centre
  • 650 metres from the train station
  • 150 metres to the nearest bus stop
  • 650 metres to the nearest supermarket

Start the day with an excellent buffet breakfast, with hot and cold dishes to enjoy. On a Sunday, there's a special brunch instead of the usual breakfast. Spoil yourself with dishes like salmon, rösti, and poached eggs, topped off with a glass of prosecco.

The hotel provides a complimentary daily packed lunch, so you'll be ready to head out and explore.

In the evening, tuck into a three-course menu with a choice of main. The hotel also has the cosy Arvenstübli à la carte restaurant, which serves typical alpine dishes, and the Bärenstübe bar and lounge. There's a bar service on the terrace too, so you can sit and enjoy the beautiful Jungfrau views.

This property caters to the following special dietary requirements

  • Gluten Free
  • Vegans
  • Vegetarians
  • Dairy Free

The hotel is happy to cater for specific dietary requirements where sufficient advance notice is given.

Please let us know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Allergies and intolerances not listed above cannot be catered for. All allergies and intolerances, even if listed above, are subject to confirmation by the accommodation.

Board basis available: Half Board, Bed and Breakfast

Standard twin rooms sleep two. They are available for sole occupancy (supplement applies)

Superior twin rooms are more spacious and accommodate two to three people. They are south-facing and have a balcony and lounge area

Small single rooms are also available

All rooms have:

  • TV
  • Tea & coffee making facilities
  • Bath or shower
  • Hairdryer

Additional information:

  • Cots & linen available (CHF 10 per day)
  • No. of rooms: 46
  • Lift serves all floors: No 
  • No. of steps into property: 4
  • Access ramp: No
  • A resort tourist tax of approx. CHF 3.50 per person per night is payable locally. Children aged 15 and under are exempt.

Travel to Wilderswil

Depart on: any day except Tuesdays 

Arrive into: Zurich, Geneva or Basel airports, or Interlaken Ost station

Transfer time: 2 hours 45 minutes - 3 hours

Check availability

Travel by air

Flights depart any day expect Tuesdays between 17 May - 25 Oct 25 & 16 May - 24 Oct 26.

Fly from:

  • London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh.

Fly into:

  • Geneva, Zurich or Basel airport

Transfer time:

  • From Geneva: 3 hours 30 minutes by rail. Your journey involves two changes of trains 
  • From Zurich: 2 hours 40 minutes by rail. Your journey involves one or two changes of trains
  • From Basel: 2 hours 45 minutes by rail. Your journey involves one to two changes of trains. There is a local bus from the airport to the Basel train station
On arrival into Interlaken Ost station, there will be a taxi to take you to your hotel.

Travel by train

We offer holidays by train to Wilderswil, which departs daily except on Tuesday. The journey takes around 14 hours from London St. Pancras and you'll be able to enjoy the change of scenery out of the train window as you journey through France and into the Alps of Switzerland.

Inghams Rating: 3/5

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official rating.

Walks and hikes

Walking Trails:
500km
Terrain:
Diverse terrain from flat valley floors and lakeside walks to towering 4000m peaks of the Jungfrau
More walking info

Discover Wilderswil

  • Take the cogwheel railway to Schynige Platte and wander through the Alpine Flower Garden
  • Hire a kayak to explore the lakes or relax onboard a cruise
  • Enjoy a lakeside walk to the impressive Giessbach Waterfalls and return by boat

The village of Wilderswil perches between the green Bödeli plain to the north and the mountains of the Bernese Oberland behind. The train station marks the start of the famed railway that zigzags through mountain meadows to the Alpine gardens and mountaintop trails of the Schynige Platte, home to one of the highest railway stations in Switzerland. Plus, Interlaken and the turquoise lakes of Brienz and Thun are just a few minutes' train journey away. The wooden chalets and flower-bedecked inns of Wilderswil are a great place to return to after a day’s walking.

More about Wilderswil

Things to do in Wilderswil

Grindelwald First Mountain Carting

 

First Glider

 

Grindelwald-First is nicknamed Top of Adventure - so it's no surprise you'll find heaps of fun things to do here.

It's the starting point for some amazing walks, home to the exhilarating Cliff Walk and packs a punch when it comes to views. But if it's adrenaline you're looking for, you're definitely in for a treat here - there are plenty of activities that adventurous teens and adults will love.

First Flyer zip line

Whizz down the mountain on the zip lines - race your friends at up to 80 kilometres an hour down the First Flyer zip line - there are four, 800-metre-long zip lines next to each other perfect for an exciting race against friends.

First Glider zip line

Fly like an eagle on the First Glider which carries up to four people beneath a huge model eagle. 

Trottibikes

Make your mountain descent more exciting by hiring a Trottibike scooter. Trottibikes are like a cross between a mountain bike and a scooter - ride past flower meadows and pretty farm houses as you journey down from Bort back to Grindewald.

Mountain carts

Mountain carts are three-wheeled carts almost like a cross between a sled and a go-cart. The route follows a three-kilomtre track from Schreckfeld to Bort along a gravel road.

Book locally - Grindelwald First Adventure Package

First Flyer, Glider & Trottibike or Mountain Cart from CHF64 per person

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: (Copyright: Jungfraubahnen)

Grindelwald Jungfraujoch Ice Palace

Swiss engineering is as good as rumour has it, with trains and cable cars allowing wanderers to easily explore car-free. One of the most famous train journeys include the track that runs all the way up to the Jungfraujoch – not only the highest railway station in Europe but the Jungfrau-Aletsch area is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a must-see for all visitors making it the ultimate rail journey through the Eiger and up to 3,454 metres, for breath-taking views including the 14km-long Aletsch glacier and the Ice Palace. 

Pre-book your Jungfraujoch ticket

As well as the incredible views, there's a lot to do at the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe. Head in to the Ice Palace to see the fascinating glacier from within and some impressive ice sculptures, try some Lindt chocolate in the highest Lindt shop in the world, or head out onto the snow fun park (snow activities payable locally).

This ticket includes travel from your resort - if you've pre-booked a Travel Pass some of your journey may be covered by it so we recommend checking the validity as it may be best to buy the Jungfraujoch supplement locally.

Pre-booked tickets are available from Interlaken, Wilderswil, Grindelwald and Wengen. Tickets are bookable locally from Mürren.

Prices include Swiss Half Fare Card discount.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: (Copyright: Jungfraubahnen)

To The Schilthorn Mountain

A trip up the spectacular Schilthorn peak above Mürren, famous for being the set of the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Visit the museum and enjoy the fantastic views of the surrounding snow-clad peaks. If you have a good head for heights, the 'Thrill Walk' at Birg is an exhilarating metal walkway that clings to the mountain edge, providing an exciting walk and some unbeatable photo opportunities.

Pre-book your Schilthorn ticket

This ticket includes travel from your resort - if you have a Travel Pass some or all of your journey may be covered by it so we recommend checking the validity as it may be best to buy the Schilthorn supplement locally if required.

Prices include Swiss Half Fare Card discount.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: (Copyright: BENEDETTA BARBANTI)

Ballenberg Open Museum

Interlaken is already a remarkable mix of adventure, culture, and natural beauty - but even here, some experiences stand out. One of these is the Ballenberg open-air museum, Switzerland’s only museum of its kind. Set across 66 hectares, it’s a journey back in time, with centuries-old buildings and demonstrations of traditional crafts that bring rural Swiss life vividly to life.

Image: (Copyright: Ballenberg Freilichtmuseum Der Schweiz David Birri)

Take the charming cogwheel railway up to Schynige Platte at 2,000 metres and visit the wonderful Alpine garden with some 600 different Swiss alpine plants including Edelweiss and Enzian.

You'll need plenty of time to admire the view from the top of the Schynige Platte. In one direction, the peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger dominate the skyline, and in another, the bright blue waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz glisten in the sun. It's the starting point for many great walks, or if you're keen on a more relaxing visit, enjoy lunch in the panorama restaurant and a live Alphorn concert (daily between 11am - 2pm by the railway station). Children will love the playground and treasure hunt. 

Pre-book your Schynige Platte ticket

Ticket will include travel from your resort to Wilderswil and return travel on the cogwheel railway up to Schynige Platte.

Pre-booked tickets are available from Interlaken, Wilderswil and Wengen. Tickets are bookable locally from Grindelwald and Mürren.

Prices include Swiss Half Fare Card discount.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Harder Kulm viewing platform

A 15-minute funicular from Interlaken to the spectacular Harder Kulm viewing platform - a sight not to be missed - look down on Interlaken, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Pre-book your Harder Kulm ticket

Pre-booked tickets are available from Interlaken and Wilderswil.

Prices include Swiss Half Fare Card discount.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

The thrill walk at Birg is a must-do if you take a trip to the Schilthorn. Metal walkways cling to the cliff beneath the lift station, with unique (optional) obstacles along the way, offering many perfect photo opportunities - just don't drop your phone!

Make your way up to the sun terrace for some al-fresco dining at the open-air café before zooming down on a 650-metre long toboggan ride through the Rugen forest. At the top you can explore the model railway exhibition as well as enjoy the views. Perfect for all ages from six and above, the total experience lasts around two hours, that's without a stop for lunch of course.

Spiez castle and Lake Thun

Interlaken lies just north of Wilderswil, between the luminous turquoise lakes of Lakes Thun and Brienz. It spreads itself over two sides of the glacier-cold river, with the old town square of Unterseen on one side and parks, railway stations, and ferry jetties on the other. 

This is where you can hop on cruises that smooth past vertiginous vineyards, mountains, and shoreline castles. Maybe you fancy a hop-on-hop-off day, seeing different parts of the lake. Or, perhaps you are wanting an on-board fine dining experience as you glide across the lake to the town of Thun – where you can get a quick train back after a day of sightseeing. Thunersee has a fleet of eight boats, with two being beautiful steamboats.

Adrenaline activities like rafting, canyoning, and paragliding are Interlaken’s speciality; it’s a rare day that you don’t see paragliders surfing the air currents above.

Image: (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism Ivo Scholz)

Brienz Rothorn mountain view

The Brienzer Rothorn steam train offers a nostalgic ride into the mountains from nearby Brienz. As the vintage locomotive chugs upward, you’re treated to views of alpine meadows, lush forests, and sweeping panoramas. A quirky favourite is the 'sausage train' where (on select departures) passengers can enjoy a sausage cooked in the engine’s steam - an experience as memorable as the ride itself.

Image: (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism Jan Geerk)

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