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 he European tradition
is different. Rooms are usually smaller, less brightly lighted and perhaps somewhat less
well furnished. There are many exceptions, especially if you like authentic antiques. In
cities you may find more noise. Air conditioning is uncommon. |
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he dollar still lags
historical highs against many currencies, and certainly the Swiss Franc. Your trip would
be cheaper if the Swiss had spent the last 30 years mortgaging the future. (The dollar
bought 4.26 francs in the 1960s. Today, you'll get about a third as many. If the dollar
had kept pace with the franc, Switzerland would be an incredible bargain.) |
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 wiss costs are higher.
We're told the government-set minimum wage for chambermaids in Switzerland was $40,000 in
1995 (annual basis)! Waiters made about $30,000 plus 'trinkgeld' ... tips. Milk cost $4.50
a gallon, and a pound of good steak went for $15. Electricity, fuel and land cost far more
than the US. All considered, the value equations are quite different. |
n their favor, you can expect more (in
Switzerland, far 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. While rooms are usually small, the lobbies and lounges are cozy and
comfortable. Who is to say which is 'better'? They're different, and should be judged on
different scales.
our star hotels are the closest approximation in
our mind to what we might call a "moderate" or "above average"
hotel (what most American businessmen would be accustomed to). But, to be redundant,
you'll find fewer features and greater cost.
Most Americans would find the accommodations closer to a 'Courtyard by Marriott' (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.
here are some particularly good buys in the two-
and three-star range. While Swiss laws and society rigorously enforce price/feature
homogeneity, there are some creative hoteliers who find a way to pack extra value into
what they offer while keeping their star-rating lowered so they can offer attractive
prices.
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To be repetitive, though, different doesn't mean worse. You'll likely find much you prefer.
Despite ones best efforts, the chosen hotel sometimes turns out to be unsatisfactory. The local tourist office can be a big help in locating alternative accommodations.
Bargain Accommodations
Wengen is nearly as fine a spot to visit as Mürren, and the Chalet Trogihalten provides top-notch, though limited, lodging at a bargain price under $60/night for two. Visitors report the Hotel Central in Geneva as an exceptional bargain: doubles with bath and breakfast for $40-80 (1997); there is also a new hostel in town. Luzern is generally quite expensive, but the Villa Maria is well-priced at CHF130-150, bath and breakfast included, and the owners get rave comments from guests. You can find good value at the Alp Lodge in Interlaken, a wing of the renovated Hotel Bellevue; doubles with bath/shower run $30-40 depending on whether you want a toilet in your room or down the hall. Breakfast is pretty slim, but the owners get high marks for being friendly and attentive. Gimmelwald has bargains in the mountain hotel and mountain hostel category; it's not a convenient location in our minds, but the prices are only bettered by the superb view.
Mürren's Tourist Office, for one, provides a brochure of apartments for vacation rental. Most other town TOs will as well. If you give the dates in which you're interested they'll supply a list of apartments available during the period. There are a few hostels in Interlaken (crowded, Americanized), one in Grindelwald, a new one in Lauterbrunnen and a quite good and popular one in Gimmelwald. Few belong to Hostelling International (IYHF) but that's a good source to check anyway. Free or wild camping is prohibited in Switzerland; you must camp at approved campsites. You'll find several campgrounds in Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. The Camping Jungfrau between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg seems excellent, (including permanent bungalows), and there's a bareground campground further down the valley just outside Stechelberg for tents and caravans, as well as a Naturfreundhaus. Check the Swiss Camping Association or (Swiss) CampingNET for more information. While you can find bargains, they're relative, and the traveler accustomed to cheap lodgings in Southern Europe should expect to pay 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.) Lauterbrunnen and Wilderswil have prices a bit below (5%?) the more popular towns, and if they don't have the same world-class view, they are pleasant and minutes away from spectacular scenery. If you're looking for suggestions of ways to save money on your trip to Switzerland, take a look at http://www.TWEnJ.net/swisskids.htm#costs. The article is oriented toward traveling families, but all will find some ideas there.
The local tourist boards (ask the SNTO for their information packet) will be most helpful. All have fax, many are on the Internet, and most/all conduct business 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. Most/all of the resort destinations have a catalogue/brochure of available holiday apartments and rooms. Many will have a list of rooms as well. You might also try homestay.ch ... listings are limited at present. Additionally, there are a number of commercial sources that you may want to try which you'll find in Renting an Apartment in Europe. Tourist Offices
(Swiss telephone country code is 41 - drop the zero (0) in the city code prefix when dialing from the US.)
Complete Index of Articles on Switzerland Our Favorites Trip Tips and Tools Copyright © 1996-2001 E.J.
Gehrlein Traveling
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ou'll not find in Europe facilities exactly
equivalent to what you might expect from your US travel experiences, for the same
price.We've found no equivalent to a $50 double at a Comfort Inn. You can find a 2-star in
Zürich for about twice as much, but don't expect an equivalent room. There are three
factors at play.
et, you often have to adjust your sights when
traveling in Europe. You'll likely pay somewhat more than expected, and soon accept that
the lodgings won't be exactly equivalent to what you'd get for that money in the US. (One
of the advantages in staying in the mountains, as opposed to in the cities, is that you'll
get somewhat more for your hotel dollar.)
y the way. The
Internet has made finding hotel recommendations remarkably easy. Is the 'net the best way
to book them? Our answer may surprise you ... read 
partments represent another possible
way to save costs on lodging and food. They're not for everyone, though. We've set out
some thoughts for you to consider about 