Grandhotel Giessbach and Lake Brienz My grandparents were born in Switzerland but aside from a detour around a closed tunnel on a trip from Chamonix to Italy years ago, I’d never been there. My mother always wanted to go, but the trip that Karen and I had hoped to plan with her was put off because of an elective surgery that resulted in complications and ultimately, her untimely demise.
It was with a bit of trepidation that I finally let Karen convince me to make the trip to Switzerland. I’d heard about Interlaken and had seen spectacular pictures of the Alpine lakes and hikes, so I searched for the best hotel in the area and came up with the Grandhotel Giessbach located about 25 minutes to the east on Lake Brienz. While a bit more expensive than what we’d usually pay for a hotel, they had a special 3-night package with the 4th night free, free boat rides on the lake to visit nearby villages, and lots of free admissions to nearby places like The Sherlock Holmes Museum, the spectacular Aare Gorge, and the Ballenberg Open Air Museum, a huge space of farms, local artisans, and historic buildings. A sumptuous breakfast was included.
Because of great charging infrastructure in France and Switzerland, the roughly 3000-kilometer roundtrip (about 1860 miles) from Guethary was a breeze in our rented Volkswagen ID.3 electric car. We made stops in Brive and Annecy along the way there, and in the Ardeche on the way back. I’ll write about those places another time.
It was with a bit of trepidation that I finally let Karen convince me to make the trip to Switzerland. I’d heard about Interlaken and had seen spectacular pictures of the Alpine lakes and hikes, so I searched for the best hotel in the area and came up with the Grandhotel Giessbach located about 25 minutes to the east on Lake Brienz. While a bit more expensive than what we’d usually pay for a hotel, they had a special 3-night package with the 4th night free, free boat rides on the lake to visit nearby villages, and lots of free admissions to nearby places like The Sherlock Holmes Museum, the spectacular Aare Gorge, and the Ballenberg Open Air Museum, a huge space of farms, local artisans, and historic buildings. A sumptuous breakfast was included.
Because of great charging infrastructure in France and Switzerland, the roughly 3000-kilometer roundtrip (about 1860 miles) from Guethary was a breeze in our rented Volkswagen ID.3 electric car. We made stops in Brive and Annecy along the way there, and in the Ardeche on the way back. I’ll write about those places another time.
 View from our room |  Night view from our room |
The Grandhotel Giessbach sits above the intensely turquoise Lake Brienz with a trail and funicular to get down to the lake. But the main attraction, aside from the hotel itself, is the waterfall that tumbles from a nearby peak into the lake below.
Our large, well-appointed room had a small balcony that looked out at the waterfall and we slept to the calming sounds of cascading water.
Originally built in the 1870s as a retreat for the aristocrats of Europe, it continued to be a centerpiece of the elite into the early 20th century. Unfortunately, after two world wars, the hotel declined to the point that it was closed in the late 1960s. A foundation worked with the Swiss government to raise funds to restore the hotel to its former glory and it reopened in 1989, fully restored.
Within the 50 or so acres of hotel property, there are countless hiking trails and organic gardens which supply much of the food for the hotel’s excellent restaurants. There’s a piano bar, and well-known musicians fill the lobby and bar with music every evening. Classic.
The place is magical. Every time we stepped out of the hotel we were assaulted with views that took our breath away. Even after four days (or seven - we extended our stay), we couldn’t help but revel in the beauty of this very unique place.
Our large, well-appointed room had a small balcony that looked out at the waterfall and we slept to the calming sounds of cascading water.
Originally built in the 1870s as a retreat for the aristocrats of Europe, it continued to be a centerpiece of the elite into the early 20th century. Unfortunately, after two world wars, the hotel declined to the point that it was closed in the late 1960s. A foundation worked with the Swiss government to raise funds to restore the hotel to its former glory and it reopened in 1989, fully restored.
Within the 50 or so acres of hotel property, there are countless hiking trails and organic gardens which supply much of the food for the hotel’s excellent restaurants. There’s a piano bar, and well-known musicians fill the lobby and bar with music every evening. Classic.
The place is magical. Every time we stepped out of the hotel we were assaulted with views that took our breath away. Even after four days (or seven - we extended our stay), we couldn’t help but revel in the beauty of this very unique place.
 Karen under the waterfall |  Nearing the top |
While I did get to try out my very rusty German, we were quickly informed that although all of the staff spoke German, none of the German staff could understand the local staff when they spoke Schweizerdeutsch – Swiss German (and obviously, neither could I). But of course, everyone's English was much better than my German.
During our first morning (after a great breakfast), we hiked to the top of the falls. It’s a moderate hike on a wide trail for about half the way up, with bridges that cross the gorge and places where you go under the falls. The upper part of the trail is steeper, narrower and more challenging, but with the invitation of the fall colors, we continued upward. It was a great introduction to the area.
During our first morning (after a great breakfast), we hiked to the top of the falls. It’s a moderate hike on a wide trail for about half the way up, with bridges that cross the gorge and places where you go under the falls. The upper part of the trail is steeper, narrower and more challenging, but with the invitation of the fall colors, we continued upward. It was a great introduction to the area.
Karen had always wanted to fly, so I’d booked a paragliding flight for her out of Interlaken. Quite frankly, I was disappointed with Interlaken. I was expecting a small, quaint alpine village, but it’s very commercial with luxury-brand stores and huge hotels dominating the city. And, paragliding is a big deal. There are numerous companies offering paragliding flights so the sky is filled with paragliders taking off from a nearby peak and landing in a large park from early in the morning until sunset. While thrilled with her first flying experience, I think Karen was a bit disappointed. We’d paid for an extended flight but the conditions didn’t cooperate, and her planned long flight ended up being a descent from the mountain directly down to the city. Her views were mainly of the city. Maybe next time she’ll get to experience going up instead of what we hang glider pilots call a sled ride.
On subsequent days we had some great hikes. On one, we took the hundred-plus-year-old cogwheel railway to Schynige Platte. It’s a great jumping off place for countless trails in the high Alps.
On subsequent days we had some great hikes. On one, we took the hundred-plus-year-old cogwheel railway to Schynige Platte. It’s a great jumping off place for countless trails in the high Alps.
 Great views on the hikes |  Interesting rock formation |
Pool on a rainy afternoon We did have one rainy day when, after a short wet hike near the hotel, we decided to spend the afternoon playing pool in a large cozy room inside.
Although it was more of a walk than a hike, we loved the Aare gorge. It’s probably 45 minutes out and back in the gorge itself. The glacier-white river has carved out spectacular rock formations and you walk along an elevated path built into the side of the gorge.
 In the Aare Gorge |  Glacier white water in the Gorge |
We had some fantastic meals both at the hotel and elsewhere, but one of the most memorable was at a small restaurant in Interlaken that served fondu. I’m not a fondu fan as I tend to almost choke on the thick hot cheese, but this restaurant offered a spicy fondu with both bread and vegetables. It was excellent!
Even with 7 days, we barely touched on all the possibilities of the area. Karen and I have each done a lot of traveling but we both agree that the Grandhotel Giessbach and the surrounding area are the most beautiful we’ve ever experienced. We WILL be going back!
If you like this post (and even if you didn't) please check out my novels and my new (free) novelette.
Even with 7 days, we barely touched on all the possibilities of the area. Karen and I have each done a lot of traveling but we both agree that the Grandhotel Giessbach and the surrounding area are the most beautiful we’ve ever experienced. We WILL be going back!
If you like this post (and even if you didn't) please check out my novels and my new (free) novelette.
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