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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Switzerland > Grindelwald

Grindelwald Information

Apres-ski

Besides hotel bars, Grindelwald has a good selection of night spots and can provide a full-on après-ski experience. The Espresso Bar in the Hotel Spinne (tel: +41 338 548 888; www.spinne.ch) is one of the most popular bars in town. A younger crowd can be found at Avocado (tel: +41 799 552 704; www.facebook.com/avocadobargrindelwald) as well as at the Challi Bar in the Hotel Kreuz & Post (tel: +41 338 545 492; www.kreuz-post.ch), which sometimes features DJs and live bands and even has its own signature cocktail to sample.

For those looking to stay out a little later, the Mescalero Disco, also in the Hotel Spinne, sometimes has late-night live acts.

Eating out

There is an excellent choice of more than 60 restaurants in Grindelwald that can be subdivided into the usual categories of Swiss, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, fast food and gourmet. In this case it's also possible to add to this a 'cheese' category, with a choice of seven restaurants specialising in cheese dishes.

A handful of restaurants can be classed as gourmet havens. Among these, the restaurant in Hotel Aspen (tel: +41 338 544 000; www.hotel-aspen.ch) offers high-quality food, including one of the best fondues in town.

Other options include Barry's in the Hotel Eiger (tel: +41 338 543 131; www.eiger-grindelwald.ch) with its Swiss and international cuisine, and the atmospheric La Marmite at Hotel Kirchbühl (tel: +44 338 544 080; www.kirchbuehl.ch).

The best of the non-Swiss restaurants is probably Golden India (tel: +41 338 535 555; www.goldenindia.ch), which serves up sublime Indian dishes from its large menu, while the Pizzeria Da Salvi in the Hotel Steinbock (tel: +41 338 538 989; www.steinbock-grindelwald.ch) makes an excellent pizza.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Indoor attractions in Grindelwald include a local museum, several games rooms, a bouldering area, indoor rope park and an ice skating and curling rink at the sports centre (tel: +41 338 541 230; www.sportzentrum-grindelwald.ch). The sports centre is also home to the resort's public indoor pool with a 70m-long (240ft) slide, as well as a spa with saunas and steam baths. Several of the larger hotels also have swimming pools, saunas and fitness facilities that are open to non-residents.

Outdoor activities include sleigh rides and the world's longest (15km/9 mile-long) sledge run. Then there's tubing, marked and cleared winter hiking routes (80km/50 miles), snowshoe trails (20km/12 miles), cross-country tracks (25km/16 miles), and winter climbing and ski touring courses.

For extreme sport junkies, there's adrenaline-inducing heli-skiing or tandem paragliding – the latter offering stunning views of the Jungfrau region and beyond.

Family fun

The Snowli Sunshine Kids club (tel: +41 338 541 290; www.maennlichen.ch) based at the top of the Männlichen cable car can look after babies from six months old, and can arrange collection directly from accommodation. In addition, the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School (tel: +41 338 541 280; www.skischool-jungfrau.ch) provides drinks, small snacks and nappies free of charge.

Once ready to progress to snow sports, Snowli Children's Club (tel: +41 338 541 280; www.grindelwaldsports.ch) – organised by the local Swiss Ski School in the Bodmi area at Terrassenweg – accepts children aged three and over during the week.

Off the slopes, a rare facility is the resort's free games and toy library, which was established in 1996 by a few local ladies and is still going strong today.

Retail therapy

With 60 shops to choose from, Grindelwald is one of the better choices for shopping-focused skiers in the region. Beyond sports, mini-supermarket, newsagents and souvenir shops, there's a good selection of fashion boutiques and jewellers in the resort centre.

Before leaving, don't forget to purchase some of the local cheese from one of the well-stocked delicatessens in the resort.

Splashing out

Receive VIP treatment on the slopes by hiring a private ski instructor and guide from Privat Ski (tel: +41 795 556 699; www.privat-ski.ch). Guides will collect clients from their accommodation and treat them to exclusive service and attention, including VIP access to the First ski lifts so you can skip the queues.

Hotels

The main village is made up of old, traditional chalet-style buildings that offer everything from luxurious hotel-style comforts to more modest choices. There are also plenty of apartments for those looking for self-catering options, while for the budget conscious, a choice of hostels and cheaper bed and breakfast accommodation is available a little further out.

Luxury

Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof

The sprawling, luxurious, 5-star Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof, is located close to the station and is renowned for its exemplary service and comfort. South facing suites look out onto the imposing Eiger.

Address: , Swiss Alp Resort 1-3,, Grindelwald, CH 3818
Telephone: +41 338 545 858
Website: http://www.hotel-schweizerhof.com

Grand Regina - Alpin Well & Fit Hotel

This lavish 5-star hotel offers a luxurious spa with six different types of sauna and various massage treatments. Guests here can also enjoy gourmet dining in the hotel's Pendule d'Or restaurant, while other facilities include an indoor pool and a fitness room.

Address: , Dorfstrasse 80, 3818 Grindelwald, CH 3818
Telephone: +41 338 548 600
Website: http://www.grandregina.ch

Moderate

Hotel Gletschergarten

The Hotel Gletschergarten is a very pleasant chalet-style, 3-star hotel in a peaceful location that's now run by the third generation of the family that originally built it. The hotel is known for its friendly atmosphere and the fine four-course meal served nightly at the on-site restaurant.

Address: , Obere Gletscherstrasse 1, Grindelwald, CH 3818
Telephone: +41 338 531 721
Website: http://www.hotel-gletschergarten.ch

Hotel Alpenhof

A cosy and peaceful slopeside hotel with a wonderful view from its south-facing rooms, Hotel Alpenhof is situated a short stroll from the village centre.

Address: , Kreuzweg 36, Grindelwald, CH 3818
Telephone: +41 338 535 270
Website: http://www.alpenhof.ch

Cheap

Lehmann's Herberge

Lehmann's Herberge is a centrally based establishment that's run by an attentive owner who ensures a great breakfast is provided each morning. The rooms are basic but clean and well maintained; payment is required in cash.

Address: Grindelwald, Ahornengässli 2, , CH 3818
Telephone: +41 338 533 141
Website: http://www.lehmanns-herberge.ch

Hotel Glacier

An affordable chalet hotel located in the Grindelwald resort centre, Hotel Glacier has a number of well-sized rooms and an excellent on-site restaurant serving traditional local cuisine.

Address: , Endweg, Grindelwald, CH 3818
Telephone: +41 338 531 004
Website: http://www.glacierhotel.ch
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