HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS (Swiss telephone country code is 41 - drop the zero (0) in the city code prefix when dialing from the US.) About hotels in Switzerland, and Western Europe generally: You'll not find facilities exactly equivalent to what you might expect from your US travel experiences, for the same price. I've found no equivalent to a $50 double at a Comfort Inn. You can find a 2-star in Zuerich for about twice as much, but don't expect to receive an equivalent room. There are three factors at play. First, the European tradition is different. Rooms are usually smaller, less brightly lighted, and perhaps somewhat less well furnished. (Many exceptions, especially if you like authentic antiques.) In cities you may find more noise. Air conditioning is rare. Second, the dollar is soft against most currencies, and certainly the Swiss Franc. Your trip would be less expensive if the Swiss had spent the 30 years mortgaging the future. (The dollar bought 4.26 francs in the 1960s. Today, you'll get less than a third as many. If the dollar had kept pace with the franc, Switzerland would be an incredible bargain.) Third, Swiss costs are higher. I'm told the government sets minimum wages for workers in hotels. The minimum wage for chambermaids in Switzerland approaches $40,000 on an annual basis! Waiters make about $30,000. Milk costs $4.50 a gallon, and a pound of good steak goes for $15. Electricity, fuel and land cost far more than here. All considered, the value equations are different. In their favor, you can expect more in the way of service and attentiveness (presuming you're not the embodiment of the Ugly American.) European hotels use less space, recycle more, and use less energy. Who is to say whether European or American hotels are "better". They're different, and must be judged on different scales. 4-star hotels are the closest approximation in my mind to what we might call a "moderate" or "above average" hotel (what most American businessment would be accustomed to). But, to be redundant, you'll not find the accomodations or price equivalent. Most Americans would find the accomodations closer to a Red Roof Inn (better service, though), and the price closer to a Hilton or Hyatt. Even paying $400 per night at a 5-star hotel, you may, in some cases, find yourself thinking the price is too high by at least $100, though you'll undoubtedly enjoy better service. Net, you do have to adjust your sights when travelling in Europe. You'll likely have to pay somewhat more than expected, and accept the fact that the accomodations won't be exactly equivalent to what you'd get for that money in the US. The majority of Americans will adjust to European hotels well, cherish the differences and look forward to returning to their favorite. For the budget conscious, there are many low-priced accomodations in Switzerland, including Youth Hostels, the equivalent of B & Bs, guest houses, and holiday apartments. (Muerren, a town of 300+, has 3,000+ beds for visitors, of which only 500 are in hotels.) Even here, the traveler accustomed to cheap lodgings in Southern Europe should expect to pay somewhat more. And don't expect rock-bottom prices with an unobstructed, clear, view of the Alps. (Note: Gimmelwald is an off-the-beaten-track exception.) The local tourist boards (ask the SNTO for their information packets and numbers) will be most helpful. All have fax, and conduct business quite adequately in English. Work directly with the village tourist board in which you're interested. The Interlaken board, for example, purports to represent the entire Jungfrau region, but has a reputation for a distinct Interlaken bias. In the Jungfrau region, the local tourist offices are: Interlaken phone 036 22 21 21 fax 036 22 52 21 Muerren phone 036 55 16 16 fax 036 55 37 69 Wengen phone 036 55 14 14 fax 036 55 30 60 Grindelwald phone 036 53 12 12 fax 036 53 30 88 Lauterbrunnen phone 036 55 19 55 fax 036 55 36 04 Prices generally include service, taxes, and a Swiss-style Continental breakfast (rolls, butter, jam, coffee, milk, tea or chocolate, cheese, sliced cold meats, dry cereals, fruit, often fruit juice, and usually muesli.) Breakfast is rarely included in Geneva or Zuerich. In resort areas (and certainly in the Jungfrau region) half-pension (evening meal)) is available. Sometimes the room price includes the evening meal, sometimes not. (Cost ranges from CHF20-40 pp.) Some hotels, at peak season, require you to take (read: pay for) the meal. More often than not it's optional. In smaller towns like Muerren, and even Grindelwald and Wengen, there are not many alternatives, and you'll likely find the hotel offering a good value in the market. Four-star hotel meals must include five courses. The price includes no beverages except tap water. Unless the meal is required, you can receive a credit for it if you wish to eat elsewhere on a particular evening, if you give advance notice. Noon is usually adequate, sometimes later - ask. Prices are from official 1994 rates. (Hotel Eiger prices are for 1995.) Zuerich Hotels Baur au Lac and Dolder Grand are among the dozen best in the world, and doubles start at CHF430. Baur au Lac Phone 01 221 16 50 - Fax 01 211 81 39 Dolder Grand Phone 01 251 62 31 - Fax 01 251 88 29 Splugenschloss (Relais e Chateaux), St. Gotthard, and Seiler Neues Schloss are excellent four-star hotels, with doubles starting at CHF300 Splugenschloss Phone 01 201 08 00 - Fax 01 201 42 86 St. Gotthard Phone 01 211 55 00 - Fax 01 211 24 19 Seiler Neues Schloss Phone 01 211 65 500 - Fax 01 211 64 18 Seidenhof, alkoholfrei - your basic three-star hotel - spare furnishings, but clean and adequate space. Doubles from CHF190 Phone 01 211 65 44 - Fax 01 212 01 48 Among two-star hotels, the Leonhard and Limmathof have been recommended. They are across the Limmat from downtown, but conveniently near the main train station. Doubles from CHF125 Leonhard Phone 01 251 30 80 - Fax 01 252 38 70 Limmathof Phone 01 261 42 20 - Fax 01 262 02 17 Restaurants Agnes Amberg - very expensive, world-class Haus zum Ruden and Zunfthaus zur Zimmerleuten are old guildhouses on the Limmat river, with excellent Swiss and Continental cuisine, and are expensive. Walliser Channe is a reliable source of fondue and other specialties from the Valais. Moderate prices. You can eat in the very good, inexpensive (for Zurich) crowded, Zeughaus Keller for under CHF30. In the summer, you can enjoy a moderately-priced meal with music at the open-air Bauschaenzli near the lake. You'll find modest prices and surprisingly good food in the various Bahnhof Buffet venues in the Hauptbahnhof. Included in the grouping is the excellent Da Capo restaurant, moderately expensive. Stein-am-Rhein Hotel Rheinfells (***) - 16th century hotel and restaurant. Excellent freshwater fish. Prices relatively moderate. Phone 054 41 21 44 - Fax 054 41 25 22 Murten (Morat)/Meyriez Le Vieux au Lac (****) - a Relais e Chateaux affiliate. Superb gourmet cuisine (expensive) and fine overnight accomodations from CHF270. Phone 037 71 12 83 - Fax 037 71 31 88 Vitznau (Lake Luzern) Park Hotel Vitznau (*****) - a superb property with outstanding service. A good base for touring in the region. Doubles from CHF420 Phone 041 83 01 00 - Fax 83 19 97 Weggis (Lake Luzern) Hotel Albana (****) - Very comfortable, and a good (moderate-priced) base for touring the region. Doubles from CHF190. CHF40 for half-pension (per person) (excellent) usually required in peak season. Phone 041 93 21 41 - Fax 041 29 59 Glion-sur-Montreaux Hotel Victoria (****) - good rooms and an excellent table, doubles from CHF230 in the summer. Phone 021 963 31 13 - Fax 021 963 13 51 Geneva Hotels Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza (****) - located at the airport, convenient to the airport train station for access to downtown or elsewhere. doubles from CHF336, though "deals" very often available. Phone 022 791 00 11 - Fax 022 798 92 73 Cadettt Movenpick (***) - at the airport, a short (frequently operated) van ride from terminal and train station. (Do not confuse with the more expensive Movenpick Radisson.) Probably the best buy in Switzerland, perhaps Europe. This may be only 3-stars, but you'll find the rooms, space, furnishings, lobby and restaurant to be first class. Doubles from CHF144, discounts often available. Phone 022 785 02 03 - Fax 022 785 02 55 There are certainly many hotels in Geneva in more convenient locations - these happen to be what we've experienced in recent years. Our favorite hotel of long-standing has disappeared - a victim of urban 'progress'! Geneva has relatively more over-priced hotels and restaurants than any city in the world - probably due to the fact that much travel there is funded by taxpayers rather than by travelers' money. Interlaken Hotels Victoria-Jungfrau (Grand Hotel) (*****) - grand old dame of the region. If you stay, be sure your room is >far< from the exit to the nightclub, or you'll be up all night. We found the service unimpressive. Doubles from CHF360 in the winter, from CHF475 in summer! Breakfast not included. Beau-Rivage - (*****) - excellent setting on the river, and near the Ost train station for excursions to the mountains. We've not stayed here, but recommend this over the V-J. Doubles from CHF310, 350 in the summer Phone 036 21 62 72 - Fax 036 23 28 47 Hotel du Lac (****) Very good hotel on the river, adjacent to the Brienz boat station, and quite near the Ost train station. Very good dining room. Doubles from CHF178, with breakfast. Dinner (excellent) usually required at peak times. Phone 036 22 29 22 - Fax 036 22 29 25 Restaurant Schuh. Nice setting on the main street adjacent to the "village green". Lots of outdoor tables in the summer. Excellent food. Moderately expensive. Muerren Hotel Eiger (****) - Family-owned and -operated. First-class accomodations, attentive service, helpful and friendly staff and owners. An excellent example of traditional Swiss hospitality. The more expensive rooms have balconies with an exceptional view of the mountain ranges and valley. Double rooms with half-pension (5-course evening meal) from CHF250. Mountain-facing rooms (with balcony) are 15% more, and brand-new suites are available from CHF440. (Children - in the same room - up to age 2 on a baby cot for CHF20; 2-12 50% discount; from 12 years, 30% discount. Meals very good, and interesting and varied, even over a three week stay. Say hello to Walter and Annelis for us Phone 036 55 13 31 - Fax 036 55 39 31 Hotel Edelweiss (***) - A friend used, and found quite satisfactory. Good view. Doubles from CHF200 with dinner. Phone 036 55 13 12 - Fax 036 55 42 02 Restaurant Hotel Eiger Terrace, or the indoor Stuebli. Good Swiss specialties (or a hamburger if you wish). Moderate prices, though the Stuebli is pricey (but excellent) at night. Gimmelwald Gimmelwald is a 30 minute walk downhill from Muerren, and the first stop on the cablecar from Stechelberg to the Schilthorn. There is an interesting Mountain Hostel, reputed to be friendly if not perfectly spic and span that charges CHF8 for a bed in 2- to 15-bed rooms. (CHF2 for sheets.) Phone 036 55 17 04 Walter Mittler's Hotel Mittaghorn has an international reputation among budget travellers. CHF60 for a double with breakfast. Also triples, quads, quints, and loft beds. Phone 036 55 16 58 Grindelwald We've not stayed at the Sporthotel Jungfrau, but a correspondent found it "updated" and quite good. 2-stars. Sfr156-176, with 1/2 pension at Sfr25 per person, usually required in peak season. Phone 036 53 13 41 - Fax 036 53 13 84 Zermatt Seiler Mont Cervin (*****) - Excellent luxury hotel with all amenities. Doubles from CHF 310 off-peak, 380 peak summer, 500 peak winter - rates include half-pension. Phone 028 66 11 22 - Fax 028 67 28 78 Seiler Monte Rosa (****) - This is virtually where the Zermatt tourist trade and mountain climbing business began. An excellent first class hotel. Doubles start at CHF238 off-peak, 268 peak summer, and 368 peak winter, including half-pension. If you stay at a Seiler hotel, they give you the option of dining at other Seiler properties in the evening by prior arrangement. (There are two others in town.) The Whymper Suite is excellent, and is about 80 francs more. Phone 028 66 11 31 - Fax 67 11 60 Copyright 1995 E. J. Gehrlein (EdGehrMKC@AOL.COM)