Interlaken has been a tourist destination for well over a hundred years – the relics of bygone days still stand proud in and around the city, the imposing Jungfrau Victoria Hotel, the glamorous St. Georges and the modest Hotel Interlaken all speak of better times, when people flocked to Berner Oberland to take the waters and breath the invigorating mountain air. The spa industry spread throughout the Alps until the 2 world wars put a definite end to its halcyon days.
Many of the grand hotels in Interlaken have weathered the times and today rank amongst the most expensive places to stay in Switzerland. Over the years, Interlaken has started catering to an ever increasing flow of young budget travellers. To match their needs, a wealth of hostels and B&B's have opened their doors and now offer rooms to suit practically every budget.
Rates for dorms start at Fr. 22.- per person, per night, but this is not same for all places – to get the most current rates, check out their websites. Swissbackpackers is a group of budget places throughout Switzerland, offering comfortable self-catering hostels. www.swissbackpackers.ch
The Backpackers Villa covers pretty much everything a traveller needs. Centrally located, with a bus stop right outside the door, they offer rooms to suit every type of traveller. All their rates include breakfast, and there is no surcharge for linen and bedding. WiFi, parking and entrance to the public pool is free. There is also a good reduction for families and a long-stay discount.
Backpackers Villa, Sonnenhof , Alpenstrasse 16.
mail@villa.ch
Ph: +41 (0) 33 826 71 71
The Happy Inn Lodge is located in the centre of Interlaken on Rosenstrasse 17, offering 3-6 bed rooms, single and double rooms, and dormitories. There is no surcharge for linen or bedding and rooms can be booked with or without breakfast. Although The Happy Inn Lodge is not self-catering, it has a good restaurant, Brasserie 17, offering food at reasonable prices. Between September and June they also organise live concerts, parties and events.
Ph: +41 (0) 33 822 32 68
The Lazy Falken Backpacker Hotel is located in Interlaken's historical centre, Unterseen in a beautiful 18th century building. All the rooms have an attached shower and toilet. Sheets and breakfast are included in the price, and although they also have a restaurant with good budget menus, there is also a self-catering kitchen available.
Spielmatte 8
falken@quicknet.ch
Ph: +41 (0) 33 822 30 43
www.balmers.com
mail@balmers.com
Ph:+41 (0)33 822 19 61
The area between the two railway stations, Ost and West has plenty of hotels, from the pricey to the average, go to www.interlaken.ch for an overview. As the town isn't very large and there is no booming night life to speak of, location is not very important. A regular bus service connects the two railway stations so even if you stay in at West, it would be very unlucky if you missed your train at Ost.
Two hostels not mentioned on the Interlaken tourism but would be worth giving a try. Both of them are located close to Interlaken West, practically behind the Migros shopping center.
Katy's Lodge – a B&B rather than hotel. http://www.katys-lodge.ch/
If you really can't afford to stay in a hotel and the hostels are asking just a little too much, then camping is your best option. Look at www.campinginterlaken.ch for sensibly priced camp grounds in the area. Even if you don't have a tent of your own, some of them offer "rooms" usually in older caravans.
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