Grindelwald hotels

Hotels in Grindelwald

The ski resort of Grindelwald is a village in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Besides the village of Grindelwald, the municipality also includes the settlements of Alpiglen, Burglauenen, Grund, Itramen, Mühlebach, Schwendi, Tschingelberg and Wargistal.

Thanks to its stunning beauty, the village is popular as a filming location for films and television shows and as a winter tourist destination. Hikers, skiers and snowboarders flock to the many Grindelwald hotels from which to explore the Bern region.

History

Settlements in the Grindelwald district seem to trace back to the Neolithic era, due to the many tools that have been found along with Roman coins.

Tourism came to Grindelwald in the late 18th century as foreigners discovered the scenic town. Pictures of the stunning vistas were widely printed, making the village internationally famous, and many fearless UK men came to climb the alpine peaks. The first resort opened in the village in 1888, and by 1914 there were 33 hotels. Numerous ski lifts, cable cars, hiking trails and alpine huts were built in the late 19th and 20th centuries to allow tourists to explore the mountains.

Location location location

The stunning surroundings of Grindelwald have attracted many filmmakers in recent years. The James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, includes a chase through a skating rink during the Christmas festival in Grindelwald. The surrounding mountains were used in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and The Golden Compass.

Festivals

Grindelwald plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year. The week-long January World Snow Festival sees Swiss and international teams of artists carve and construct sculptures from metre-high snow blocks. In February the Velogemel World Championship takes place on snow bikes, whilst the Snowpenair is held at the end of the winter season on the Kleine Scheidegg. Folk music, traditional costumes and flag throwing can be enjoyed at the annual Spring Mountain Festival held in June/July.

Leisure

Skiers and snowboarders of all ages can find something to excite them in Grindelwald. There are slopes for beginners, intermediates and the challenges of the Eiger glacier for the experienced. There are also many activities for non-skiers – tobogganing and year-round hiking are also popular here.

A hike along the high-altitude trail from Holenstein to Brandegg is unforgettable as the trail leads through lush pastures, flower-filled meadows and inviting woodlands. At the end of the hike reward yourself with an apple fritter and hot chocolate at the Brandegg Mountain Restaurant.

Food and drink

When it comes to food and drink, Grindelwald has it all. Sample traditional Swiss cuisine at Alte Post or Alderstube, or enjoy a romantic meal at Restaurant Belvedere or the cosy Barry's where you can enjoy fondue for two.