Hotel Gloria, Beatenberg | Review
The small Swiss village of Beatenberg lies within the Bernese Oberland, in the shadow of the Niederhorn, above Lake Thun and with views directly to the peaks of Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch.
We were lucky enough to enjoy a stay at Hotel Gloria in Beatenberg during our recent trip to Switzerland and we absolutely loved it.
This top quality three star hotel in Beatenberg is one of the finest places to stay in the Interlaken area. It’s also renowned for its excellent Alpine view restaurant.
This review will take you through all you need to know about the family-run Gloria restaurant and hotel. Covered is useful information about the facilities, the food and beverage options, what there is to do in the local area and how to get there.
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What's in this Article
About Hotel Gloria, Beatenberg
Hotel Gloria in Beatenberg, Switzerland is a lovely, traditional Swiss property that gives guests a real sense of place. There are incredible views over the crystal clear lake and snow-capped Alps from the property.
Hotel Gloria in the Interlaken area is located in Beatenberg, a village on a terrace overlooking Lake Thun. There are views straight across to the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch from here.
It’s in a peaceful position, so is ideal for those who want to get off the beaten tourist track, yet it’s convenient for all the attractions of Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region.
This lovely, friendly hotel has been owned by the same family since 1960. The hotel is run by Bernhard and Jacky, who purchased the hotel from Bernhard’s parents in 2007 and who treat every single guest as a member of their own family.
Jacky’s personal touches – like teddy bears on each bed, vases of freshly picked flowers throughout the hotel and welcome notes in the room – all provide a warm welcome and a homely atmosphere.
Our Room
Deluxe Double Room
All rooms at the Gloria in Beatenberg, Switzerland have balconies with lake and mountain views, so whether you require a single, double or family room, views are guaranteed.
Larger groups or families can book their own private space on the fourth floor. “Up Top” consists of two double rooms with bunk beds and a single room, and sleeps up to seven people in total.
Our room, a Deluxe Double Room, was furnished with a comfortable double bed, a wardrobe, a seating area and a desk. Accommodation also comes with tea and coffee making facilities, TV, safe and WiFi.
The bathroom – with shower, wash basin and toilet – contained deluxe toiletries and a hairdryer, while the private balcony was furnished with an outdoor table and chairs. (Do note that smoking is not permitted in rooms or on balconies, something we were very thankful for.)
Finding complimentary chocolate, fruit and mineral water on arrival was a lovely touch that added to the homely welcome we had already received. It was a delicious treat to enjoy on the balcony!
Facilities and Local Attractions
Of all hotels in Beatenberg, Switzerland, the position of this one is perfect for those who want to get out and explore.
Lots of mountain hiking trails can be accessed close by during summer. In winter, activities available in the immediate vicinity include skiing, tobogganing and an ice rink for the kids.
The Niederhorn cable car station is just ten minutes’ walk from the hotel. From the summit you can enjoy stunning views over Lake Thun or hire Trotti bikes to ride back down the mountain.
St. Beatus Caves can also be reached via cable car.
Hotel Gloria Beatenberg is also a fantastic place to rest, relax and recharge the batteries while enjoying the spectacular Swiss panoramas.
The hotel also welcomes pets, there’s free parking, and a superb restaurant with a terrace – perfect for enjoying the fabulous views – and a bar.
Food and Beverages
Restaurant Gloria in Beatenberg is one of this property’s key selling points. It’s overseen by owner Bernie, a chef who has worked in five star restaurants all around the world.
Now Bernie devotes his time to serving up exceptional cuisine to hotel and restaurant guests.
The menu comprises both traditional Swiss and international cuisine, and each dish is based on the idea of bringing culinary classics into the 21st century.
For summer dining, there’s a pleasant outdoor terrace so guests can get even closer to the Swiss mountains, perhaps while watching the sunset over Lake Thun.
During winter, the peaks provide the perfect setting for a romantic, candlelit meal for two inside the cosy restuarant.
Due to the popularity of this restaurant in Beatenberg, booking a table is always recommended. Do note, too, that the eatery is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays – except for breakfast service.
Guests can choose from an a la carte menu or they can select a Half Board option of either two or three courses.
The menus use homemade and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. All dishes are freshly prepared from scratch on site, and only produce of the highest quality is featured.
This is a great place to dine for vegetarians and vegans, as Bernie sees meatless dishes as another means of showcasing culinary flair and creativity.
The restaurant’s choice of dishes displays global influences, and mains range from an authentic chicken or meat-free Thai green curry or penne pasta with an Italian-style tomato and vegetable sauce to a pork escalope, sirloin steak or fish and chips.
If you feel the need to eat healthily, you could go for Gloria’s own ‘power salad’ with sweet potato, cauliflower, pomegranate and seeds.
The drinks list is also wide-ranging, including colourful and sophisticated cocktails as well as local and international wines, beers and spirits.
What we ate
With such a large menu it was actually a bit difficult to decide what to eat.
On Jacky’s recommendation we started with Sashimi tuna with a Tempura crust with pickled radish and Wakami for entree – definitely not a dish I would expect at a small family-run hotel in rural Switzerland, but Bernie has perfected it and it was a great choice.
For main course, my husband chose a traditional favourite, Wiener Schnitzel served with potato salad and cranberry sauce, whilst I opted for one of Bernie’s signature dishes, Green Thai Chicken Curry with Jasmine rice. Both meals were very large portions and were delicious.
Although we were both quite full, the lure of Bernie’s pannacotta was too much to resist, although we did share a serve. It definitely didn’t disappoint and finished our meal off perfectly!
After enjoying such a delicious meal at the Hotel Gloria restaurant in Beatenberg, we can see why it’s such a popular place to dine. Do book ahead if you plan to eat there to avoid disappointment.
Where is Hotel Gloria, Beatenberg?
Beatenberg can be found in central Switzerland, overlooking Lake Thun.
It is a long, narrow village stretching for about 2 kilometres (around a mile-and-a-half). There are a few shops in Beatenberg including a small grocery store and a sports store, as well as a Tourist Information office.
It takes around 15 minutes to walk from the hotel to the shops. If you don’t have a car but would prefer not to walk, you can use the hourly bus service.
For those who want to head up the mountain, Niederhorn cable car station is around 10 minutes’ walk in the opposite direction.
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How to get to Hotel Gloria by car and public transport
Hotel Gloria can be reached by either car or bus from Interlaken, and this takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
To take the bus from Interlaken to Beatenberg, you need bus route 101. This departs hourly from Stand B at Interlaken West train station. It leaves at five minutes past the hour, and the trip to Beatenberg takes around half an hour.
The ‘Beatenberg, Hubel’ stop is just 50 metres from Hotel Gloria.
If travelling by car, allow around 20 minutes to reach the hotel from central Interlaken. On-site parking is available once you arrive.
Useful things to know about Hotel Gloria
Hotel Gloria is open year round except for a short period of time in November/December when owners Jacky and Bernie take a well-earned break. Check their website for closure dates to avoid disappointment.
You get can a real sense of Jacky and Bernie’s passion for looking after their guests in episode 26 of our podcast where they chat about the hotel. It’s definitely worth a listen.
Our verdict
With just 14 guest rooms in total, Hotel Gloria has a more intimate feel than many Swiss hotels. Owners Jacky and Bernie take great care of each and every guest, and the restaurant is deservedly popular with locals as well as guests.
Hotel Gloria is ideal for anyone who wants to fully unwind, as well as nature lovers, winter sports fans, keen walkers, families and of course fans of fine food.
With gorgeous mountain and lake views from every room, and private balconies that are perfect for soaking up that sublime Alpine scenery, the tranquility of the hotel cannot be beaten.
Unfortunately heavy cloud cover during our stay meant we didn’t get to enjoy the best mountain views, but the turquoise lake and lush green hillsides (we visited in July) more than made up for it.
Like many of Hotel Gloria’s guests, I’ll be returning for another stay as soon as I can. I encourage you to book a room at this wonderful property, too.
Ready to book your stay at Hotel Gloria Beatenberg? Book here – and let them know you discovered Hotel Gloria on Holidays to Switzerland!
🇨🇭 > Click here to read all our travel guides about the Bernese Oberland.
Disclosure: Our overnight stay stay at the hotel was complimentary but this in no way influenced my opinion of the hotel.
