Sternen Muri

We booked one night to recover after a road trip, but left more tired than when we arrived. During a heatwave the room was unbearably hot, and the two little fans they gave us barely worked, stopping and starting at random. A decent night’s sleep just wasn’t possible. The booking information never clearly said there was no air conditioning. At $250 a night, I found that lack of clarity unacceptable, and the discomfort wasn’t reasonable for a hotel at that price. The hotel is just outside Bern. I wouldn’t recommend it if you expect basic comfort or a restful summer night. I’d give it zero stars if I could, which is ironic given the hotel’s name literally means “stars”.

Laura went out of her way to help us have a memorable New Year’s Eve, arranging dinner at the hotel when most restaurants in town were already fully booked. The service was excellent, and the hotel also provides free tram tickets, which made exploring very easy. We’d asked for a double room but were given twin rooms. That was a small inconvenience, and the helpful service more than made up for it. The rooms were clean, spacious and comfortable, although the bathroom could be a little bigger. The location is convenient, too: the tram stop is right outside and it takes about 10 minutes to reach Bern city center. I’d highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Bern.

The mattress was so soft it seemed to disappear under any weight, and the pillows were thin. That might suit some people, but I found it uncomfortable because I prefer a firm bed. Otherwise, it was a good one-night stop during our trip around Switzerland. The room was large and clean, with a nice balcony, air conditioning and a bathroom with enough space and everything needed. There’s secure-looking underground parking beside the hotel, with plenty of spaces. A tram stop is right outside, making the city easy to reach, and reception can provide free public transport tickets. We didn’t get to try the restaurant, though it looked nice and had lots of outdoor seating.

The free daily public transport ticket was a great extra, especially since the hotel isn’t close enough to the city center to walk, though the tram stop is very nearby. The rooms were lovely, and the hotel itself was very nice. Staff were friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.