Where to stay in the Interlaken region
The town sits on a narrow strip between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Jungfrau massif rising to over 4,000 metres directly south. The wider region extends to include the northern shores of both lakes, the villages climbing toward Grindelwald, and the elevated terraces above Sigriswil and Beatenberg. Accommodation ranges from historic grand properties on the Hoheweg promenade to lakeside retreats and spa addresses in the surrounding hills. The Swiss Alps provide the backdrop; the two lakes provide the calm.
What makes this region compelling is the combination of scenery, accessibility, and variety. Zurich connects by train in under two hours. Bern is an hour away. Once here, paddle steamers on both lakes, mountain railways to the Jungfraujoch and Harder Kulm, and bus connections to every village create a network that makes a single base practical for exploring the entire Bernese Oberland. Guest reviews describe the region as a destination where the transport connections match the landscape in ambition.
The town centre: tradition and transport
The Hoheweg promenade runs between the two train stations with the Jungfrau framed at its southern end. The grand addresses along this boulevard represent the pinnacle of the local tradition: rooms with mountain views, spa and wellness facilities, and restaurant culture drawing on both French and German-Swiss culinary influences. Three and four-star properties in the streets behind the Hoheweg offer comfortable rooms at more accessible prices per night.
The town functions primarily as a transport hub. The Bernese Oberland railway to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, boats on both lakes, and bus connections all converge here. For guests planning to visit multiple destinations, a central base provides the most practical starting point. The evening atmosphere is livelier than the lakeside villages, with restaurants, bars, and a social energy that the quieter surroundings cannot match. Contact properties directly for the best rates; availability is generally strong outside the July-August peak.
The western lake
Lake Thun stretches 18 kilometres westward to the city of Thun, with mountain views along its entire length. Properties on the northern shore sit at elevation with panoramas extending across the water to the full Jungfrau range. The paddle steamers that navigate the lake connect shoreline addresses to the town, Spiez, and Thun, providing transport that doubles as scenic excursion.
Staying on the Thun shore suits guests who want space, quiet, and the lakeside atmosphere that the busier town centre cannot deliver. The northern terrace communities of Beatenberg and Sigriswil have developed a small but distinctive accommodation scene where the views do most of the work. Guest reviews describe these stays as a wonderful combination of Swiss Alps scenery and lakeside tranquility at prices per night that reward the short journey from the centre.
The eastern lake
Lake Brienz is smaller, deeper, and more dramatically coloured than its western counterpart. The turquoise water, fed by glacial melt, creates a visual intensity that guest reviews consistently describe as extraordinary. Properties cluster around the village of Brienz and the Giessbach waterfall, where a historic address perches above a cascade that drops into the lake.
The Rothorn steam railway climbs to 2,350 metres from the Brienz lakeshore, providing a mountain experience accessible from any eastern-lake base. The village woodcarving tradition and the car-free waterfront offer an atmosphere that feels more authentically Swiss than the tourist-oriented centre. For guests who want to discover the quieter dimension of the region, the eastern lake earns wonderful reviews for its natural beauty and peaceful character.
Wellness stays
The spa tradition in the region has grown beyond the grand wellness centres to include dedicated properties in the hills above both lakes. Indoor and outdoor pools, treatment programmes using Swiss products, and facilities designed as the centrepiece of the stay rather than an afterthought. The Harder Kulm funicular reaches a panoramic restaurant at 1,322 metres, providing a viewpoint that wellness guests often combine with their treatment programme.
Properties range from full-service grand spa facilities in the centre to intimate retreats in the surrounding hills. The combination of mountain air, lake proximity, and Swiss expertise creates a wellness stay that guest reviews rate among the strongest in the Bern region. Both active guests seeking post-hike recovery and dedicated wellness visitors find the region delivers.
Key figures
- Lake Thun: 18 km, navigable by historic paddle steamers
- Lake Brienz: 14 km, turquoise glacial water
- Jungfraujoch: 3,454 m, highest railway station in Europe
- Harder Kulm: 1,322 m panoramic viewpoint
- Bern: 60 km. Zurich: under 2 hours by train
What visitors ask
Centre or surrounding villages?
The town provides the strongest transport connections and widest choice. The Thun shore offers panoramic views and lakeside calm. The Brienz shore delivers the most dramatic natural scenery. Grindelwald, 30 minutes away, provides the strongest mountain experience. For a first visit, combining a night or two in the centre with time at a lakeside or mountain address delivers the most complete picture. Check availability and contact properties directly for the best rates per night.
When to visit?
Summer brings hiking, lake swimming, and the Jungfraujoch railway from June through September. Winter offers skiing at Grindelwald, Wengen, and Murren. The shoulder months of May and October suit guests who prefer quieter stays at lower prices. The region operates year-round, and every season rewards. Grand and spa addresses maintain their standards across all periods, making this a reliable destination whenever guests visit Switzerland.