Grand Hotel Belvedere Review: Alpine Luxury in Wengen with Epic Views

Grand Hotel Belvedere: A Boutique Alpine Retreat in Wengen

Nestled in the charming, car-free village of Wengen, the Grand Hotel Belvedere stands as the first Swiss outpost from the stylish Beaumier group. This five-star property offers a welcoming home-from-home experience, complete with epic views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, top-notch gastronomy, and a serene onsen-inspired spa. Overlooked by the iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, this Unesco World Heritage Site area is said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth.

Location and Accessibility

To reach Wengen from Zurich airport, it's approximately a two-hour drive to Lauterbrunnen train station. From there, a 12-minute ride on the historic "Wengernalpbahn" cog railway delivers you to the village, with thrilling panoramas of the valley along the way. Upon arrival, a hotel-branded electric shuttle collects guests for the final leg to the hotel. On foot, it's a short five-minute stroll to the high street, which features an upscale fashion boutique, Berg, an excellent coffee shop named To Go, and two ski rental options.

For skiing enthusiasts, the area is famous for the Lauberhorn course, the longest World Cup downhill run globally, though the Jungfrau region also offers plenty of green and red runs, with nursery slopes available in Wengen centre.

Vibe and Design

Grand Hotel Belvedere is the only five-star property in Wengen, boasting a chic take on Alpine decor that feels "accidentally Wes Anderson" to a tee. Geneva firm Complete Works led the renovation, merging two grand dames into one boutique outpost connected by a landscaped garden with forest views. The first building, housing reception, is an art nouveau beauty with restored Heimatstil frescoes and ornate wooden columns.

In common areas, custom-made pine furniture is finished with tactile mid-century-style fabrics, facing either a roaring fire or outsized windows framing snow globe-worthy views of the Jungfrau. The hotel's art collection, a collaboration with local creatives, adds character with black-and-white archive photos and colourful prints by artists like Albert Chubac.

Service and Accommodation

Service is refreshingly unfussy for a five-star hotel, with laid-back, approachable, yet efficient staff. For example, when a guest needed an adapter plug, one was sent via room service within minutes. The team provides thoughtful recommendations for shopping, apres-ski, or walks.

There are 90 rooms spread across two buildings, designed to resemble self-contained cabins with pine-clad walls and matching custom furniture. Most of the 71 Superior and Deluxe category bedrooms feature cinematic mountain views from balconies, and all include a desk—ideal for remote work or creative inspiration. Bathrooms are zen and contemporary, with mint-coloured tiles, designer taps, and natural toiletries by London brand Grown Alchemist. Most have rainfall showers, while some offer deep baths for after-ski soaks.

The 19 suites include nine family rooms and two premium Beaumier suites, with the newer building's suite boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and a postcard-perfect balcony view.

Dining and Drinking

Brasserie Belvedere, the hotel's main restaurant, offers a hyper-local menu by British chef Will Gordon. This light-flooded space with high ceilings and chandeliers serves elevated comfort food and Alpine classics, such as schnitzel with celeriac and a sensational bourguignon. Notably, the hotel stands out with a plant-based fondue option, reflecting Gordon's vegan ethos.

The sun-trap terrace is perfect for long lunches, featuring barbecued Swiss beef and gruyere burgers or charcuterie snacks. Both buildings have their own bars: one intimate and cosy with William Morris-papered walls, ideal for pre-dinner Swiss white wine, and another with a large diamond-shaped bar where mixologists craft experimental cocktails using locally foraged ingredients, like a mushroom Old Fashioned or hot Alpine cider. Breakfast is buffet-style with juices, cereals, meats, cheeses, and hot egg dishes and pancakes.

Facilities and Activities

The hotel's much-anticipated spa, in partnership with Susanne Kaufmann, is inspired by Japanese onsens and features a concrete-walled enclave with a small indoor-outdoor pool, hammam, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge. Treatments include signature massages and anti-ageing facials, using forest-inspired essential oils. A small gym with Technogym equipment and a smart TV, plus regular yoga classes in a forest-overlooking yurt, round out the wellness offerings.

For skiing, guests can rent equipment from InterSport, with attentive staff and options for all budgets. Ski lessons via the hotel start from £260, and rental from £42 for skis and boots. Additional activities include trail running, glacier climbing, and ski hiking. In summer, the hotel offers hiking, downhill mountain biking, and canyoning bookings.

Accessibility and Family-Friendliness

Two rooms are designed for people with reduced mobility, featuring adapted showers and toilets. All facilities in the older building are accessible via lifts, and the terrace has a platform stair lift for wheelchair users. For families, interconnecting room options and sofa beds in most rooms are available, though there is no specific kids' menu, club, or facilities. The village ski school offers excellent lessons for children, but the spa and pool are not suitable for kids.