Hi Everyone,
Last week I had the most wonderful few days staying at the Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken. The hotel is one of my favourites when it comes to food – see earlier article here, but it also has so much more to offer. An amazing 5’500 square meters wellness/spa area, and generous gym, tennis hall and garden area are just the beginning. Not to forget the over 30 different Nescens better-ageing and beauty treatments. The whole area of Interlaken too feels a little like a nature playground with plenty of exciting things to do for all age groups. Choose between the lake, the mountains or simply staying in town.
A mere 2 hour train ride, even shorter by car, will get you to the centre of Interlaken from Zurich. Hence it really is the ideal short getaway. Don’t be fooled though, there is so much to see and do that you will want to stay longer.
Keep reading for a pictorial view of “Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken: Where Luxury Meets Adventure”
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken: Where Luxury Meets Adventure
A little history
Initially starting off as Pension Victoria in 1856, then in 1899 joined via a glass/metal construction to the hotel next door – hotel Jungfrau. So the beginning of the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa as we know it today. Already during the Belle Epoque the hotel was frequented by Royalty, renown artists and writers from across the globe.
Today the hotel is as majestic as ever, offering one of the best spas in Switzerland. It is now a part of the Michel Reybier Hospitality group.
Rooms and suites
You can choose between 2 types of rooms, Junior suites, Spa suites, Suites or VJ Club rooms. Each room class being very generously designed. Sizes vary from 21 – 215 square meters (this being the Tower Suite). Renovations are perpetually carried out so no room ever feels outdated.
Our room was a Superior VJ Club room with the most spectacular view of the Jungfrau mountain as well as overlooking the famous park where all the paraglider’s land.
To me the view is certainly worth booking, plus this is currently one of the newest renovated rooms. Super comfy mattresses from my favourite bed maker Elite beds. The rooms also come with a hidden Nespresso coffee machine, ironing board with iron and a lovely bowl of fresh fruit on arrival.
Bathrooms have Wonderfull soft towels as well as delicious Molten Brown amenities. Molten Brown always remind me of my time in London – smile.
Interlaken
Once settled into our room the first thing we did was go for a little stroll through Interlaken – so named because it is situated right between two lakes. Lake Thun and lake Brienz, both of which have spectacular boat trips during warmer months. Plus plenty of other water activities available – more information here.
So many pretty heart shaped objects dotted around town. I decided there was definitely romance in the air.
Apero
Being blessed with amazing blue skies and warm Spring temperatures, we sat outside on the wonderful Victoria Terrasse for apero.
Watching paraglider’s casually land in the park across the road as we sipped champagne. I vowed to myself that next visit I will also try paragliding – have you ever experienced paragliding?
Dinner
On the first night we ate in the Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori. A lovely Italian restaurant serving much more than pizza alone.
We couldn’t help but take a photo of the beautiful Easter decoration on the way to dinner.
What we ate…
Dinner the second night was in the Restaurant La Terrasse (16 Gault Millau points). The setting reminds one of an orangery in Paris or the South of France.
One of my favourite chefs in the whole of Switzerland, Stefan Beer created the menu which changes with the seasons, using locally sourced ingredients from within 40km of the restaurant.
This season you can choose between a regular or vegan menu or a combination of the two. We tried both which you see in the pictures to come. Both were super delicious…
Be sure to take home a copy of the seasonal magazine “Vo Hie”, containing the stories of each of the local food producers. You’ll also find a couple of secret recipes and some great local area excursion tips.
There is also a wonderful extensive wine list to choose from. Alternatively you may choose to have the menu with carefully selected local wine pairing with wines from the canteen of Bern – we loved this!
What we ate…
Breakfast
You can choose to either eat breakfast in La Terrasse with a wonderful extensive buffet or in your room.
I also noticed that when the hotel is super busy the breakfast room spills out into other pretty neighbouring rooms as well. This pink room is one of my favourites.
Breakfast in our room…
A trip up the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
A 45 minute drive or train trip to Grindelwald will take you to the Eiger Terminal. The Eiger Express 3S cableway takes you straight to the Eiger glacier in 15 minutes.
Here we stepped outside for a look around whilst waiting for the train that would take us right to the top of the Jungfraujoch – the highest train station in Europe.
The cable car was so huge it felt like having a a whole room to ourselves. I started doing a dance in the middle of the journey – smile!
The train from the Eiger glacier to the Jungfraujoch takes around 30 minutes. The view from the top being absolutely spectacular.
At the top it truly feels like entering another world. Be sure to do the whole adventure tour at the top, leading you through an ice palace and the Sphinx Hall – a true journey through time…
For more information and bookings check here.
Back at the hotel – Spa Nescens time
Spa Nescens with it’s 5’500 square meters is not to be missed. Nescens being the name of the hotel’s own better ageing product line. You will find these products in all Michel Reybier properties.
Give yourself enough time to enjoy the whole sauna complex, steam baths and lush green setting outside.
This time I was lucky enough to experience a Nescens facial – certainly feeling years younger afterwards…
See the full spa brochure here.
Meanwhile hubby had great fun playing strong man in the gym – smile! In addition to the indoor gym there are also 6 tennis courts with a tennis coach available.
On the way home there was one more adventure to be had…
First Cliff Walk Presented by Tissot
This had been on my bucket list for awhile now. To get there you drive to Grindelwald town centre and then take the Firstbahn Grindelwald to First up at 2’168m.
From the cable car station a short but dramatic walk along a rock walkway including a suite single-rope hanging bridge and metal catwalk will bring you to this terrace rising 45 metres out into the void.
Possibly a little scarier than it looks here – especially with the wind making the platform shake.
There are other fun activities to do at the top too such as the First Flyer, First Glider, Mountain Cart or Trottibike Scooter.
See here for brochure and prices.
This was certainly a most unforgettable few days of luxury combined with adventure.
Thank you so very much to the wonderful staff at he Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa for making our stay even more special. Personally I feel this is one place and hotel that really should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Hoeheweg 41, Interlaken, Switzerland, 3800
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Hi dear Yvonne I really love your blog it gives me the feeling as being there with you in that very nice Hotel and amazing Spa and Wellness Area and your Room with the Amazing Mountain View is out of this world love it very much
Oh yes, yes, yes, yes! What a beautiful escape you’ve shared with us! Oh yes! So stunning! I can almost smell the breeze off the glacier! Oh that view from your room! Yes! Thank you! Thank you!
If travel ever opens up I’m heading here and I’m going to walk all the way back down (not up!) from the Jungfrau to Interlaken! I think I’ll need a bit of pampering after!