Hotel Staubbach

Rooms and decor

The rooms are done in an Alpine Heritage style, with Swiss pine and local woven fabrics. Because this is an 1890 building, some rooms run smaller than you would get in a newer hotel, but they have a character you do not find in modern places. The best feature is the balcony looking out at the Jungfrau cliffs and Staubbach Falls — plenty of guests describe opening the curtains in the morning to the falls and the cliffs as a view they never forget. Bathrooms are clean, Wi-Fi is free, and there is parking if you drive in. The elevator works but is small, in keeping with the old building.

Food and amenities

The same family has run the place for generations, and the warm, personal service is part of the appeal — reviewers mention the owners remembering their names from the first day. The restaurant serves Swiss classics like cheese fondue, Raclette, Rosti and Alplermagronen made with local ingredients, and half-board is good value and reviews well. Breakfast is a Swiss buffet with cheese and ham from valley producers. The concierge can sort out tickets and tours for Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch and Trummelbach Falls. There is no spa or pool here — the draw is the history and the food, not the facilities.

Location and getting there

The hotel is in the centre of Lauterbrunnen, a 2-minute walk from Staubbach Falls and about 5 minutes from Lauterbrunnen Bahnhof. It opened during the Belle Epoque, when travelers from Britain and America were first coming to the Alps, and the building has been updated over the years while keeping its original details. From the station you can reach the car-free villages of Wengen and Murren, ride up to Jungfraujoch, or connect on toward the Schilthorn cable car.

Things to know before booking

This is an old hotel and it shows in practical ways: the elevator is small and some rooms are tighter than a modern build. There is no spa or pool, so if those matter to you, this is not the right pick. And it sits about 5 minutes' walk from the station rather than right beside it, which is a small thing but worth knowing if you are arriving with heavy bags.

Our take

Book Hotel Staubbach if you want to sleep inside a piece of Lauterbrunnen history rather than a standard room. The 1890 building, the family service and the balcony view of Staubbach Falls and the Jungfrau cliffs are the reasons to come; the small elevator and lack of a pool are the trade-offs. At a 8.5/10 score and around $185 a night, it is a fair deal for the character you get.