Youth Hostel Brienz

The lake is right there, and you can see it and the mountains from your room. It’s also a 5-10 minute walk to the mountains. I’ve been backpacking through Europe, and this hostel is easy to recommend: rooms usually weren’t crowded, with just 1-3 other people for most of my stay despite space for 16. Free breakfast helps make Switzerland much more manageable. The husband and wife who run the place are kind and interesting to talk with, as are the other staff.

The location is amazing, and the staff are kind, especially Sara, but I’m surprised by the very high reviews. In the 16-person dorm, the mattresses are on the floor rather than proper beds and packed so close that a neighbor could easily reach out and touch you. There’s just one window, so it gets extremely hot and poorly ventilated in summer. Hostel norms weren’t clearly established, and people were very loud in the rooms in the morning.

The breakfast spread was great, and the staff were really helpful. Inside was clean, and the grounds outside were lovely, with several places to sit. Gorgeous location. Thanks for a wonderful stay!

The one star is because of the woman with glasses at reception. Five to ten minutes after I arrived, I stepped into the kitchen beside the locker room and dining area to look around. There was no “no entry” sign, and I didn’t know it was her private kitchen. She yelled at me to get out. Nobody should be shouted at for stepping into a kitchen, and she could have explained it politely. She never apologized, then later that evening smiled and told me she was very particular about her kitchen. That doesn’t make up for yelling at a guest. My double-sharing room had no attached washroom and was very tiny, though clean. The women’s shared washroom was clean too, but on another floor. Basic breakfast was included, the hostel is in a great location with direct lake access, and guests can use the microwave in the basement.