Enjoy rustic chic and amazing views up on a mountain

September 30, 2020, 1 Comment

I called it my corona bonus: being able to get a room in one of Switzerland’s famous mountain hotels. Normally you have to book months in advance and hope the weather plays along but I made a snap decision and went. And loved (almost) every minute.

It starts with one of my favourite Swiss train rides: the nostalgic red wooden carriages that haul you up to 1967m with some of the best views around. And nostalgia is what Hotel Schynige Platte is all about. It’s all very rustic chic, with shared bathrooms and creaky floors.

I had the Sheep room, with simply stunning views on two sides: the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Eiger. The furnishings are old yet modern, comfortable but not luxurious, and definitely in keeping with the building and location. The beds are divine but not everyone will like sharing one bathroom with five other rooms though.

But staying here isn’t about indoors, it’s about what’s outside the door and I couldn’t wait to get out and walk. I’ve been up here many times but always had to catch the last train down. Now I could enjoy the views almost alone and only have to be back in time for dinner.

That’s a set menu included in the room rate, but I have to say it’s better for meat eaters than others. The cheese soup was amazing but then it was downhill, with an uninspiring veggie main course and a missed dessert. All because I went outside to photograph the incredible sunset and they didn’t notice. But I got ice cream instead, so I didn’t mind.

With few guests and no trains, it’s unbelievably quiet up there, even more so when you’re the only to watch the sunrise. Alone on a mountain top to see the new day dawn. Swiss bliss. The breakfast buffet was a great improvement on supper so I set off full and happy. It’s an easy hike down to the middle station: the perfect way to end an (almost) perfect stay.

The hotel is only open in the summer, which this year runs until 25 October. It’s a truly memorable experience, especially if you book a room with a view. Book direct here.

Overall rating: 82%

• Best bits: the views, the beds, breakfast and did I mention the views?
• Worst bits: dinner for non-meat eaters, shared bathroom.

I had a corona special offer and paid 180 francs for a single room with dinner, bed and breakfast, including the return train ride from Wilderswil.