Seasonal hotel deals in Bern

Christmas will be over before we know it, with Valentine’s Day coming up soon after. If that’s not soon enough for you, we recommend booking the package “Time spent together“ for a romantic getaway at Kursaal Bern. It includes a three-course meal at the in-house restaurant Giardino, Prosecco and a sweet surprise in your room, breakfast in bed, admission to the in-house Grand Casino (we hope “lucky in love, unlucky at cards” doesn’t apply to you!) and more. Added bonus: the breathtaking views of Bern’s UNESCO-listed old town.

At the Bern Youth Hostel in the Marzili neighbourhood, the traditional Swiss dish is served in a somewhat less traditional setting: enjoy your raclette with friends or family in an exclusive yurt on the youth hostel’s terrace with a wonderful view of the River Aare and the Bundeshaus (Parliament Building). The warm, cosy ambiance of the yurt is perfect for cold winter days. Our tip: if you’ve exaggerated slightly and don’t feel like you can’t take on the steep walk up to the old town, but the Marzili funicular is not operating anymore because it’s gotten late, we recommend the stress-free solution of staying at the youth hostel overnight.

When guests arrive at the Landgasthof Kemmeribodenbad, they often have the feeling that they are in a “Tröimli” (dream). The picturesque country inn in the idyllic Emmental has been around for almost 200 years. Its “Wintertröimli” (winter’s dream) offer invites you on a three-day pampering spree: In addition to two nights in a double room, you and your loved one can enjoy a classic Emmental breakfast, a four-course gourmet menu, a cheese fondue in an igloo or on the terrace, relaxing hours in the outdoor sauna and a one-hour carriage ride or a guided two-hour snowshoe tour through the snow-covered winter landscape of Schangnau. This dreamy getaway will have you thinking: is this the real world or is it just a “Tröimli”?

In the summer, you’ll see cows grazing and cyclists fighting their way up the steep Gurnigel Pass. In winter, things slow down to let guests at the Berghaus Schwefelberg unwind and enjoy the fresh, clean mountain air of the Gantrisch region. The mountain lodge is located between the village of Sangernboden and the Gurnigel Pass. The tranquillity, the distance from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the fact that there is usually no cell phone reception in the lodge will make you forget that Bern is only an hour away by car. For maximum relaxation, book the sauna or hot tub for your visit. And we’ve saved the best part for last: when you stay at the Berghaus Schwefelberg, you’ve got the entire cabin to yourself.

A winter getaway reminiscent of times gone by: The Sahlenweidli, which was featured in the show “Schweiz Aktuell” on Swiss television, was built in 1762 and is located high above Eggiwil in the picturesque Emmental. Experience a time when having running water and electricity was not a given and enjoy the meals of yesteryear: “Suure Mocke” (Sauerbraten / Bernese pot roast), “Gnagi” (cured pork) or the original Sahlenweidli cheese fondue, cooked on a wood-burning stove. Spontaneous performances by Schwyzerörgeli (Swiss accordion) formations round off the rustic experience, along with the “Hasäbausam” nightcap before a good night’s sleep at the Hirschen Eggiwil.

Booking a wellness and culinary delights package at the Kreuz in Herzogenbuchsee means getting ready for moments of physical, gastronomic and cultural well-being. Because the Kreuz is not only a hotel, but a microcosm of relaxation and culture in the heart of the Oberaargau region. The package includes an overnight stay for two in a “Bijou” (gem) room, a three-course surprise menu, and two day passes for the Aquarena, where an indoor pool, a warm-water pool and a sauna landscape await. The hearty breakfast buffet the next morning rounds off the relaxing mini vacation. What are you waiting for?

Albert Bitzius, better known as Jeremias Gotthelf, was a writer and poet, famous in the Emmental and throughout Switzerland until this day. His works include classics such as “Uli der Knecht” and “Uli der Pächter”. But not to worry: a stay in the Gotthelf-Kämmerli (Gotthelf chamber) at the Bären Ranfluh doesn’t have the slightest in common with the tough life of a Knecht (farm hand). Guests are treated to regional delicacies and have access to a private spa equipped with a sauna, a jacuzzi and a wonderfully scented rose bath. To round off the day, they are served a tasty fondue chinoise (meat fondue) before sinking into a deep, restful slumber.