Hotel Du Lac Interlaken

Hotel Du Lac Interlaken sits right on the bank of the Aare on the east side of town, just a 3-minute walk from Interlaken Ost Station — the station where every line toward Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Jungfraujoch begins. Its 8.7/10 Agoda score reflects guests who left genuinely happy, especially about the location and a riverside mood that's hard to find at this price.

Rooms and decor

Rooms are clean and simple in a contemporary Swiss style, and the river-side ones come with a balcony looking out over the emerald-green Aare flowing past below, snow peaks behind it. Several reviewers say sitting with a coffee watching the river in the morning was a highlight they kept remembering. From around $214 a night, that's very reasonable for a 4-star on the water in expensive Switzerland. Some rooms still feel dated and reviews note they're due for further renovation — and it's worth asking clearly for a river-side room, because some mountain-side units catch train noise.

Food and amenities

The restaurant serves Swiss and Mediterranean food in a riverside setting, and the thing reviews mention most is the fresh fish brought in from nearby Lake Brienz — salmon fillet and local lake fish you rarely see on an ordinary menu. Guests call the quality good and say the riverside setting makes a meal feel special. Staff come up repeatedly as warm and full of useful advice, steering people toward the right routes and restaurants in the area. Free Wi-Fi is solid throughout the building.

Location and getting there

The riverside spot on the Aare beside Ost Station is what sets Hotel Du Lac apart from others in the same price bracket. A 3-minute walk to Ost Station means you can catch an early-morning train without rushing — and the run from Ost up to Jungfraujoch takes about 2 hours, via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. Lake Brienz is only a short hop away for an afternoon boat cruise. Reviewers note the area is quieter than the Höheweg stretch, and that they slept better for it.

Things to know before booking

This is a place where the room you pick really matters. Some mountain-side rooms catch train noise, so reviewers specifically advise requesting a river-side room. Parts of the decor are still dated and could use further renovation. Parking is available but costs extra and is limited, so flag it ahead if you're driving. None of these are dealbreakers — they're just the trade-offs that come with a well-located, fairly priced riverside hotel rather than a glossy new build.

Our take

Hotel Du Lac is at its best for couples who want a quiet riverside base, and for travelers planning an early Jungfraujoch train — because Ost Station is only a few steps away. It's strong value for the river views and the position next to the trains. Ask clearly for a river-side room with a balcony when you book, and you'll get the best of what this place does well.