Braunbär Hotel & Spa

Dear Braunbär team, This was our eighth stay here in a row, and we had a very pleasant time. The staff were friendly and organized, and it was convenient having both the gondola and train station nearby. We’ll definitely return next year. The restaurant was the letdown. We expected better, but the food tasted reheated and really wasn’t enjoyable.

The hotel's advertised spa didn't feel relaxing at all. The pool was noisy and echoed heavily, the small hammam was right beside it, and the sauna was outside. If you're hoping for peace after skiing or hiking, I'd reconsider staying here. It seems suited to families who want to let their children run around unattended. Calling this a relaxing place, based on what I experienced, is simply a lie.

The location made the trip especially easy: the hotel is right in the town center, with everything outside the door, and the tram station about a two-minute walk away. The gondola is just 20 seconds on foot, with a kids’ ski school and beginner slopes right there. They also lend out toboggans for free on request. We came with our toddler and had a family room with two bunk beds and a heavy curtain separating the main room. There was lots of space and the sound insulation was very good. The staff were top shelf, welcoming and helpful. The indoor pool, sauna and steam room were excellent. Swimming while it snowed outside was lovely, and our toddler loved the pool. Another treat was the kids’ room below the bar. The kids could play downstairs where we could see them from upstairs, so we could have a drink and chat for a bit.

We loved the town and its people, and all the workers were friendly and helpful. The skiing is incredible, and everything in this car-free village is walkable. There's great-tasting glacial water at the downstairs drinking fountain, and the ski room is excellent for drying and storing gear. You can walk to the train or lifts, ski back on a blue trail, then walk two minutes to the hotel. Breakfast was a nice extra, with a traditional continental spread that included bacon, sausage, egg and rosti, though nothing extraordinary. At around $600 USD a night in early February, the family room for three felt very cramped. The bathroom was tiny, and the living and seating area was about 8 x 10ft, maybe smaller, with the stairs blocking a third of it. It was hard to get the heat right, and the blankets were small. If you're over 6ft, sleeping with them is annoying. The sauna and pool close at 8pm, which is awkward after a day on the slopes and dinner. If you go to the sauna first, many restaurants and kitchens close between 7 and 9pm. The sauna itself was clean and very hot. There’s no cold plunge, and the indoor pool is warmed. Also, noise rules didn't seem to be enforced. A nearby bar and very thin walls meant it got loud now and then, which surprised us given Switzerland's strict noise ordinances.