Where to Stay in the Bernese Oberland: Why We Chose Spiez

When planning a trip to the Bernese Oberland, places like Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen tend to dominate the conversation.

We chose somewhere different.

For our three-day anniversary trip through the Swiss Alps, my boyfriend and I made Spiez our home base — and after exploring Grindelwald, Rosenlaui, Oeschinensee, Blausee, Lauterbrunnen and the Schilthorn, I’d happily make the same decision again.

Here’s why Spiez worked so well for us, where we stayed and who I’d recommend it for.

Why We Chose Spiez

Our priorities were pretty simple.

We wanted somewhere beautiful enough that returning to our hotel still felt like part of the trip, but conveniently located for the hiking and sightseeing we’d planned throughout the Bernese Oberland.

Spiez checked both boxes.

Sitting along Lake Thun and surrounded by mountains, the town gave us the Switzerland views we wanted without requiring us to stay directly inside one of the region’s busiest tourist destinations.

We also had a car, which made our setup particularly easy.

Each morning, we’d drive toward that day’s main destination, park, and spend most of the day exploring on foot. At the end of the day, we’d return to Spiez, freshen up and head to dinner.

It worked beautifully.

Where We Stayed: Belvédère Strandhotel

We stayed at Belvédère Strandhotel, and the moment we saw the view from our room, I knew we’d made the right decision.

Our room overlooked Lake Thun and the surrounding mountains.

It was the kind of view that made opening the curtains in the morning an experience in itself.

The hotel was clean, comfortable and conveniently located for our day trips, while still giving us access to restaurants we could reach on foot.

For an active trip, that combination mattered.

After spending hours hiking, the last thing I wanted every evening was another complicated journey just to find dinner.

My Favorite Little Hotel Ritual

One of my favorite things about Belvédère wasn’t a grand amenity.

It was the bar.

On two evenings, after dinner, we returned to the hotel and stopped for a final glass of wine.

There’s something very satisfying about spending your day hiking through the Swiss Alps, having dinner beside the water and knowing that your final stop is simply upstairs at your hotel.

Those glasses of wine became a little ritual during our anniversary trip.

What Can You Explore From Spiez?

This is where Spiez really worked for our itinerary.

Over three days, we used it as our base while visiting:

• Grindelwald and Grindelwald First
• Bachalpsee
• Grindelwald Glacier Canyon
• Rosenlaui
• Lake Brienz
• Thun
• Blausee
• Kandersteg and Oeschinensee
• Lauterbrunnen
• Schilthorn and Piz Gloria

We weren’t changing hotels or repacking bags every morning.

We simply picked a direction and went.

The Other Benefit: Your Evenings Feel Different

There’s another reason I liked staying outside the mountain destinations themselves.

Our days and evenings felt distinct.

During the day, we were hiking, riding cable cars and exploring mountain landscapes.

Then we’d return toward Lake Thun, shower, change and go somewhere for dinner.

One evening we walked from our hotel to Eden Bistro Bar for a nicer anniversary dinner.

Another night, we went into Thun and ate Italian food beside the water.

It gave the trip a nice balance between outdoor adventure and an actual vacation.

Is Spiez Better Than Interlaken?

I wouldn’t say one is universally better.

They offer different experiences.

If your priority is being surrounded by a huge tourism infrastructure and having easy access to tours and attractions, Interlaken may make more sense.

If you’re looking for somewhere that feels a little more relaxed and picturesque while still being positioned for exploring the Bernese Oberland, I’d seriously consider Spiez.

For us, the latter was exactly what we wanted.

Having a car also made that decision considerably easier.

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Who I’d Recommend Spiez For

I’d especially consider staying in Spiez if you’re:

• Exploring the Bernese Oberland by car
• Planning several hiking day trips
• Traveling as a couple
• Looking for a romantic Switzerland base
• Interested in Lake Thun and Thun
• Someone who wants beautiful surroundings even after the day’s sightseeing ends
• Not interested in changing hotels every night

Would I Stay in Spiez Again?

Absolutely.

In fact, if we planned another trip through this part of Switzerland with a similar itinerary, I wouldn’t feel much need to reconsider our base.

And I’d happily return to Belvédère Strandhotel.

The combination of location, comfort, walkability and that ridiculous view from our room made the hotel feel like part of our anniversary trip rather than simply somewhere we slept.

FIXED TO THRILL VERDICT: THRILL

Spiez worked beautifully as our Bernese Oberland base — and sometimes choosing where you come home to every evening matters just as much as choosing where you spend the day.

Xx Sylvia