Have you ever dreamed of living a Julie Andres moment on the hills of Switzerland in Sound of Music? Well, you might just find it at Hotel Kierchbuehl. During our family trip, we found it to be one of the best Grindelwald hotels for families and one of the most spectacular stays… ever!
This family-owned resort has panoramic views of the famous North Face of Eiger, Grindelwald Glacier, Wetterhorn, and the surrounding area. With skiing, cycling, hiking tours, and fine cuisine, the whole family will enjoy an immersive Swiss Alps experience.
In this Hotel Kirchbuehl review, I’ll tell you all about this charming resort hotel and everything there is to love about its quiet yet convenient location. You’ll also learn more about the accommodations, amenities, and activities to make the most of your stay.
Have a tight budget? I’ll also share some of the best budget-friendly and other luxury hotels in Grindelwald so you can find the perfect place to stay that meets your family’s needs.
If this is the first of many stops on your trip through Switzerland, be sure to check out our favorite Things to Do in Lucerne, Switzerland with Kids for more family-friendly fun!
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About Hotel Kirchbuehl
Hotel Kirchbuehl is a neat chalet-style hotel in Grindelwald, Switzerland. I personally think it’s the best hotel in the area, and it is most known for its quiet and scenic surroundings. The hotel was first built from scratch in around 1900 as a small guest house. Then, the 3rd generation of the Brawand family did two impressive renovations that raised it to 4-star status.
The hotel resides right above the historic village church, putting it in the prime location for panoramic mountain views as far as the eye can see. It’s a family favorite because of the activities like hiking trails and proximity to the ski slopes where you can ski in and ski out. Your kids will love every inch of it, and I guarantee you’ll love your stay here too!
Overview of Hotel Kirchbuehl
The main hotel consists of about 43 rooms and suites, with other places to stay in the area, like traditional chalets and apartments associated with Hotel Kirchbuehl. We stayed in one of the rooms in the main hotel building, which was spacious, clean, and very comfortable. It had everything we needed for our family of five, including a balcony with stunning views of the mountains.
Accommodations
At Hotel Kirchbuehl, you’ll find a variety of suites and rooms, including the Eiger Panorama Suite, which has a balcony with stunning views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jungfrau Aletsch. You can even stay in one of the comfortable apartments or chalets nearby, featuring all the amenities of the main Hotel Kirchbuehl.
Many of the suites and junior suites are designed to sleep two or three people. So if you’re a bigger family like ours, I recommend booking a large suite. We stayed in the Eiger Panorama Suite, which came with great views of the Eiger mountain, a separate living room with a sofa bed, and two bedrooms. You can also rent single or standard economy rooms if you’re traveling alone or it’s just two of you. Either way, there’s no doubt you’ll find it to be one of the best Grindelwald hotels to experience!
Hotel Kirchbuehl Amenities
This superior hotel features many amenities, such as…
- A sauna
- Children’s playground
- Lounge/bar
- Ski rentals and asking
- It’s dog/pet-friendly
- Shuttle bus service
- Mini-golf
- Free WiFi
- Game room
- Ski in/Ski out
- Free private parking
- Lavish breakfast buffet and special diet menus
- Sun terrace
- Laundry service
- Clothes dryer
- Outdoor fireplace
- Concierge
- Ski school
And much more! The only amenitie it doesn’t have is an outdoor swimming pool, but that’s okay because there are so many other fun outdoor activities to do, you won’t even miss it.
Dining at Hotel Kirchbuehl
This 4th generation family-run hotel has several dining options on-site for convenience. From an elegant terrace lounge to a restaurant with panoramic views to fine dining and haute cuisine, there’s something everyone in your family will enjoy.
- La Marmite – Fine dining and a gourmet restaurant serving international cuisine with dishes from the region as well as Asian and French-themed recipes.
- Panorama Restaurant – Named for the panoramic views of the mountains and stunning scenery, this excellent restaurant serves a delicious breakfast buffet and a variety of evening menus as part of the gourmet half board. It also has a relaxing garden terrace.
- Hilty Stibli – This little dining room serves delicious food kids will love, like Fondue and Stinging Nettle soup, tea, and cake.
- Eiger Stube – A cozy, traditionally Grindelwald-decorated dining room with brilliant Eiger mountain views for family gatherings and celebrations.
- Restaurant Terrace and Lounge – On warm summer evenings, you can dine outside and enjoy the panoramic views of the Eiger mountain.
- Hotel Bar Chemi Stubi – Enjoy afternoon tea and homemade cakes by the fireplace or have a drink with other guests at the bar.
Want to explore more? You can view the hotel’s various menus here!
Things to Do at Hotel Kirchbuehl
Winter Activities
There are many activities for families at this hotel, but since you’re in the Swiss Alps, this area is best known for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. You can get private ski and snowboard lessons for kids and adults, too!
We loved the summit ski tours and snowshoe tours. There were many different tours to choose from, like the famous North Face of Eiger, and there were even ones for two days or longer.
The night sleigh ride was simply magical, and we followed it with a traditional Swiss cuisine fondue tasting. Can you think of a better way to spend an evening in the Swiss Alps?
The kids also loved the Raclette Rafting Interlaken and snow tobogganing and tubing on the magnificent mountainside.
Summer Activities
If you’re looking for more options during the warmer months, there are also plenty of things to do, such as:
- Aletsch Glacier Hike
- Bungy Stockhorn
- Exploring the biking and hiking trails
- A scenic spring or summer jet boat ride
- Canyoning
- Summer training course
- Grindelwald Glacier Gorge
- The Interlaken Rope Park
- Ski touring the surrounding mountains
- Day ski tour of Lötschenlücke
- Pfingsteg – The fast ride down the mountain on the toboggan run
- The Fly Line – A tranquil ride through the forest on a zipline
- Mountain biking in Jungfrau
We loved the hiking experience here. The hotel owner, Christian Brawand, is very knowledgeable about hiking in this area. He showed us the secret paths and trails surrounding this location. The hotel has maps, hiking backpacks, poles, and all the provisions and drinks you need for your trip. They have most of the hiking gear you need; you just need the right clothes.
For a complete guide on all things to do in Grindelwald, check out our blog post, Things to Do in Grindelwald, Switzerland!
Our Experience at Hotel Kirchbuehl?
Oh my, there is so much we loved here, like the haute and authentic Swiss cuisine and ambiance. But the diversity of menus is amazing. One on-site restaurant, Eiger Stube, offers an a la carte menu of local specialties each night. The fine dining restaurant, La Marmite, offers delicacies like Grindelwald beef with grated cheese or bergamot parfait from the hotel garden.
We also loved that it had a large family suite big enough to accommodate our family of five comfortably. I think the panoramic views are what make it one of the best hotels in Grindelwald. Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever stayed at, and we’ve traveled A LOT and stayed in many hotels and resorts all over the world.
And we honestly didn’t mind not having a swimming pool or indoor pool because we were close to doing so many things on foot. The hotel was close enough for us to walk to town on a private walkway and take in the sights and activities in the village.
It’s really our favorite place to Stay in Grindelwald for all these reasons. I feel like it offers a Swiss alpine experience unlike any other, with views that showcase the true beauty of the glaciers and mountains.
Other Resorts and Hotels in Grindelwald
Looking for more of the best Grindelwald hotels? These options cater to various budgets and personal preferences.
- Aspen Alpine Lifestyle Hotel – This beautiful 4-star charming chalet hotel is situated right in the middle of the Alps wildlife. It’s a great place to enjoy the alpine-chic lifestyle.
- Derby Swiss Quality Hotel – The legendary Captain Gsteiger built this historic hotel at the end of the 1800s. So, if you’re looking for a property steeped in rich history, this one is a great option.
- Alpine Design Resort – The Bergwelt Grindelwald Alpine Design Resort is known as one of the best luxury hotels in Grindelwald, with a spa, fitness center, and indoor pool.
- Boutique Hotel Glacier – The Boutique Hotel Glacier offers a spa fitness center and hot tub. It’s an upscale hotel located next to the Grindelwald Train Station.
- Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald – This neat hotel has amazing alpine views with suites, family, and double rooms. One unique eating experience is dining on fondue in a cable car.
- Hotel Cabana – This family-owned B&B is about 400 meters from the Grindelwald Train Station, meaning it’s conveniently located close to downtown and the surrounding villages.
- Sunstar Hotel Spa Grindelwald – The Sunstar Hotel has spa facilities and is another one of the best hotels in Grindelwald. If you’re looking for a comfortable room with a spa, this may be the perfect place to stay for you.
- Hotel Kreuz – Hotel Kreuz is uniquely situated in an old city estate with a variety of modernized room and suite options, as well as an onsite restaurant on the ground floor.
- Hotel Caprice – This quaint hotel has the perfect central location in the Grindelwald mountain village. It offers stunning views and a bio-sauna steam bath.
- Hotel Spinne – Also located in the heart of the glacier village Grindelwald, this hotel also has an Alpine Chic design with a spa area and massage service.
- Hotel Gletschergarten – Another one of the best hotels in Grindelwald. This family-run hotel is located across from the Church of Grindelwald with quaint rooms and apartments.
- Hotel Tschuggen – This small chalet hotel is charming. It is located in the center of Grindelwald and close to the First cable car station.
- Berggasthaus First Hotel – This hotel is right next to the First Cliff Walk. It has a panoramic terrace that provides gorgeous views of the alpine mountains and spacious rooms that can sleep six to eight people.
- Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof – The family-owned Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof is just what you picture when you think of Switzerland and offers what the name suggests – a romantic, historic Swiss hotel experience.
- Alpenhof of Grindelwald – This superbly-rated 3-star ski-in/ski-out hotel has a variety of rooms and suites and offers a traditional après-ski drinks experience after a long day skiing.
Final Thoughts on Best Grindelwald Hotels
Of all the luxury hotels in Grindelwald, Hotel Kirchbuehl is my favorite to stay in Grindelwald for many reasons. It has plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family, plenty of on-site dining options, and the views are unlike any other.
The traditional chalet design and the fact that it’s a family-run hotel means that the owners understand what families need and want during a vacation to Switzerland. With everything from single rooms to suites, there are plenty of room options for families.
You can’t beat amenities like free Wifi, free parking and transportation, Ski in and Ski out access, outdoor activities, and on-site dining. It made traveling with kids so much easier and more enjoyable.
While this is our favorite hotel in Grindelwald, any of the other hotels listed would also make for a fantastic stay. Each of them offers a glimpse at alpine life with outdoor adventures the whole family will love.
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