Historic Hotel Steinbock

The location by the river has a nice view, and there’s plenty of parking, though it costs extra per day. Check-out was simple, and the hotel is relatively inexpensive compared with others. The room had a balcony with a nice mountain view, but it was shared with other guests and we hadn’t been told in advance. Our bathroom was private and had a bathtub with a shower. It was very dated, and the shower curtain smelled unpleasant. Hot water was available. The room itself was old-fashioned and poorly ventilated, with a stale smell when we arrived. The heating was barely lukewarm, then shut off overnight, leaving the room very cold. When we brought it up at breakfast, staff dismissed the concern, said the room wasn’t cold, and commented, “we are not in Africa, where it needs to be that warm.” It felt inappropriate and unprofessional, and we didn’t feel comfortable bringing up anything else after that. We were told late check-in was available around the clock, but the promised email with the entry code never came. Someone answered immediately when we called and helped us get inside. At check-in we also had to pay the tourism tax and parking fees. Breakfast had a limited selection, as we already knew, and the breakfast room was fine. The staff generally seemed grumpy and spoke very loudly, which made the atmosphere uncomfortable. The low price doesn’t excuse the outdated condition or the way guests are treated. Some renovation and better service could make this hotel much more pleasant.

Breakfast was the traditional European kind, with a coffee machine, deli meats, cheese, yogurt, bread, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit. Since food in Switzerland is so expensive, having it included was a nice help. The rooms were comfortable, though one night both the radiator heaters and hot water stopped working. The hotel is about a five-minute walk from Wilderswil Bahnhof, but there aren’t many restaurants nearby. We arrived during the stated desk hours and found nobody there, though our keys had been left in an envelope on the desk. The man and woman working there spoke little English; at times they were friendly, at times not. The signs listing what seemed like a million rules felt off-putting and didn’t make us feel welcome. I wouldn’t stay here again.

We couldn’t make it to breakfast any morning, so our host packed us a little food bag to take along. That was so good of them. It’s a great little place, a bit old but clean and cozy, with a fantastic location. The station is a three-minute walk away, and trains get you anywhere in the Jungfrau region in 20 minutes. The river view and its sound were lovely. Church bells ring every 15 minutes, day and night, though you get used to them. Thanks so much. I’d recommend the Jungfrau pass if you’re planning to visit all the valleys.

This place has character and keeps things practical and back to basics, with the focus on what matters. There’s hot water for bathing, a kettle for water only, and an air heater in both the room and toilet. The shower and sink are separate. The selection of basic soaps works fine, and there’s a hair dryer. Breakfast is fresh and generous, and they’ll pack a bag for an early excursion: a cheese and ham sandwich, eggs, bottled water, and yogurt. Staff commonly speak English. If you can’t communicate, pick up the phone and press zero to reach someone who speaks English. It’s very close to Wilderswil railway station. I’d read about the bells ringing every 15 minutes, but couldn’t hear them in my river-facing room. The soundproofing was surprisingly good. With the windows closed, the only sound from outside was a very faint splash from the river. There’s no counter staff at night, for obvious reasons since everything else is closed. If a train delay makes you arrive late, they leave your keys in an envelope on the table for you. There aren’t enough hangers, especially for winter outerwear, but you can find a way.