Bern, Schweiz. Hotel Review Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa. Presstrip
The Location
007 fans take note, here was James Bond himself on the road! In 1969, one-time actor George Lazenby played the double-0 agent in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. A Bond suite with a sign outside the door still bears witness to this today. During our visit, it was – unfortunately – occupied and closed to prying eyes. At least we were able to marvel at the lift that Bond once used.
But now to the real thing, the boutique hotel Schweizerhof Bern, which is conveniently located right next to Bern’s main railway station: You’re in the lobby in no time at all – just get off the tracks, cross the street once, dive under the arcades and into the five-star hotel.
Style & Character
The hotel describes itself as “historic and seductive” – and we can confirm both. The Schweizerhof was the first five-star hotel in the Swiss capital, and Sophia Loren danced at the house balls. Where the gym is today, there was a jazz club in the 1980s. It is said to have been, quite clearly, legendary.
It’s sociable between the lounge and the bar. Guests and locals sip coffee and champagne and it quickly becomes clear: this is a place where people meet. This is also how high politics does it before elections (the parliament is practically around the corner), as an insider tells us. Every conversation is given an attractive setting here, that much is certain.
Amenities & Services
A warm welcome with a great surprise: when taking off our suitcases, we were directly addressed with our surnames – without having revealed them beforehand upon arrival. Wow! Mr. Cédric should be mentioned by name here because he was so courteous that we talked about his positive manner long after our stay. His colleagues were also great; requests like breakfast in bed? The team fulfilled them without any complications.
If you are in the mood for a little relaxation, the spa awaits you with a whirlpool, steam bath, Finnish sauna and experience showers. As an urban wellness hotel, the Schweizerhof also offers signature treatments and everything beneficial for face and body.
Rooms & Suites
Hardly any of the 99 rooms are alike, they differ in size and cut. A French-influenced style meets clean lines and modern, functional comfort without frills. The interior in the basic colours of grey, white and beige is aligned with the furnishings of the other two hotels in the Bürgenstock Collection. Because of the really close proximity to the train station, by the way, you don’t have to worry about getting a restful night’s sleep: The windows are well insulated.
Food & Drink
When we entered Jack’s Brasserie, we were immersed in a completely different world. You would like to dress in golden fin-de-siècle style when you dine here. The ambience is entirely after that. Impressive are the numerous little brass plates that are attached to about every seat – whether chair or bench. The names of the guests who have already dined at Jack’s are discreetly noted on them. And they are dazzling names! Even if he wasn’t the 007 who filmed at the Schweizerhof, Sir Roger Moore was here. As have skiing legend Toni Sailer, Ursula Andress, Grace Kelly, Albert Schweitzer, Liz Taylor, Diego Maradona and the Loren.
How Jack’s got its 14 Gault-Millau points becomes clear at the first bite: an onsen egg combines with delicate garnish to make a successful starter, after which the good-humoured service serves us a filet of venison with fried potato noodles and a sauce that makes us enthusiastically ask for seconds – and we get them. At dessert, the grandeur of the Bürgenstock hotels comes to the fore again. The sweet arts are the successful conclusion of the dinner.
The sommelier made the (well-informed) stroke of luck of the evening by recommending a red wine from Switzerland that simply enraptured us. We didn’t think so much cherry scent in one glass was possible.
What we loved
We really liked the attentive details: we liked the pillow menu, from spelt pillows to bolsters. The Bern ticket is included with every booking, so we went up a bit by bus until we were standing in the Rose Garden and could look out over the Aare at the whole city. The international socket strip is also great – ideal for all those who think that in Switzerland there are exactly the same sockets in the wall as at home in Austria or Germany.
What we’d like to see next time we visit
Sunshine and warm temperatures (we were guests in February) – because then we want to chill and enjoy on the Sky Terrace! The team works out a culinary recipe that does justice to the location. Keywords: cocktails, finger food – and a golden sunset that even 007 would not have been able to resist.
Best for:
- Business-Trip
- City-Trip
- Couples
The Schweizerhof Bern is not only one of three (soon to be four – the Chill Report has also already visited the Royal Savoy Lausanne) impressive hotels in the Bürgenstein Collection and thus part of the Katara Hospitality Group since 2008, but also a “Leading Hotel of The World“.
Hotel & Spa Schweizerhof Bern
Bahnhofplatz 11, 3001 Bern, Schweiz
www.schweizerhofbern.com
