The Cambrian Hotel Adelboden | Review
Renowned for its panoramic setting, and loved for the many outdoor activities available, Adelboden is perhaps not as well known to non-Europeans as many other Swiss destinations but it was somewhere I had long wanted to visit.
When I started my search for places to stay in Adelboden, there were some excellent options but one hotel in particular stood out. After seeing photos of its infinity pool with incredible mountain views, there was only one place I was ever going to stay when I visited Adelboden.
That hotel was The Cambrian Adelboden.
In this review, I show you the room my husband and I stayed in, describe the hotel’s food and leisure facilities, explain how to get there and more.
[This post may contain compensated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.]
What's in this Article
About the hotel
> Click here to see the latest prices for The Hotel Cambrian in Adelboden.
The Cambrian Hotel in Adelboden, Switzerland is a beautiful property with a natural, relaxing atmosphere.
This Alpine retreat dates back to the 1800s, when it was built by a tour operator to provide accommodation to those hiking and skiing in this breathtaking part of the Swiss Alps.
Formerly known as the Grand Hotel Regina, this much-loved hotel in Adelboden was renamed in 2007 by the current owner. The name references the owner’s Welsh heritage, as ‘Cambria’ means ‘Wales’ in Latin.
The property offers panoramic views over the area’s stunning scenery.
A passion for this alpine village led to the birth of The Cambrian Hotel in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland, which now combines a focus on design, culinary flair and contemporary comforts with a local feel.
The Welsh connection is also evident in the menu and interior surroundings.
Our Room
The deluxe double room with panoramic view that we occupied at The Cambrian in Adelboden, Switzerland was generously sized. Like all rooms at the hotel, it had a luxurious bathroom, and we enjoyed panoramic views over the picturesque Wildstrubel mountain from the window.
Our room came complete with a flatscreen TV, desk, DVD player, tea and coffee making facilities and free WiFi. Soft drinks and water were also already chilling in the refrigerator, and were included on a complimentary basis.
The en-suite bathroom was beautiful, while the room was decorated in a contemporary style with white linens, natural wood tones and a deluxe plaid bed throw that brought the look together.
A heatwave hit this part of Switzerland during our stay, and helpfully the hotel supplied a fan to keep us cool. The hotel is not air-conditioned, but experiencing such high temperatures is somewhat unusual in this part of the Alps.
The Cambrian Adelboden Hotel and Spa offers a selection of room types, ranging from deluxe doubles, some with panoramic views, to junior, deluxe and Presidential suites. Larger suites are also available, including two and three bedroom options for families.
There is also a quadruple room with a double and two single beds, plus a balcony.
> Click here to check different room options and see prices.
Facilities
Public areas at The Cambrian Hotel in Adelboden include a relaxing lounge area with a billiard table and crackling open fire, a bar, a restaurant, a gym and the wellness centre which features a Finnish sauna, hot tub, heated indoor pool, treatment rooms and an outdoor infinity pool.
This Swiss Alps infinity pool is rather Insta-famous, and there are fabulous views from it. Although it was somewhat smaller than I expected, the setting is sublime and the water is warm, clear and inviting.
To ensure fairness and courtesy to everyone, photography is only permitted in the pool area during limited hours in the early morning and at lunchtime.
For those who do want an invigorating swim, the indoor pool in The Cambrian Spa area is much larger and therefore ideal for laps.
There is also a relaxing Finnish style sauna, and a range of relaxing beauty and wellbeing rituals can be delivered within the private treatment rooms.
Bikes can also be hired at an additional charge, and there is a paid shuttle service to the slopes provided for those skiing.
As well as the infinity pool, The Cambrian’s outdoor areas include a pretty terrace with magnificent views over the mountainous landscape and private parking facilities. At the time of writing, parking costs CHF 18 per day.
Food
Our room rate included a full buffet breakfast daily. The selection of food was of a very high standard, with plenty of hot and cold options to choose from.
During warm and dry weather, hotel guests are welcome to enjoy breakfast on the outdoor terrace by the infinity pool so they can make the most of the spectacular scenery.
Other food and beverage options at The Cambrian include the Axe Bar, which serves a great range of international beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.
Light meals are also served at the Axe Bar, and drinks or snacks can be enjoyed on the sun terrace. This gives guests an opportunity to relax or socialise in this stunning Swiss setting, which we did on both nights we stayed at the hotel.
We didn’t eat on-site in the evenings but staff assured us that The Cambrian restaurant menu at the Glasshaus Restaurant has been designed with extreme care, using the finest local produce. Seasonal menus and sharing platters are particular highlights.
Dishes reflect the expert chefs’ Welsh roots and Swiss cuisine as well as their gastronomic experiences in London.
Where is The Cambrian?
The Cambrian in Adelboden (with spa and that Instagram-famous infinity pool) is located in the Swiss canton of Bern, in the Bernese Oberland region.
The hotel is just a short walk from the shops and restaurants of central Adelboden. The area is renowned for its beautiful scenery, as well as skiing and hiking, and there is a 15th century church in the village.
Engstligen Falls are nearby, where small Alpine streams meet to form the river of the same name. To the north of the village, Choleren Gorge can be explored via a network of elevated walkways and bridges.
Not far from Adelboden, and well worth a visit, are Lake Oeschinen and the Blue Lake.
How to get there by car and public transport
If travelling to The Cambrian Hotel and Spa in Adelboden by car from north, eastern or western Switzerland – as well as Germany or France – take the A6 motorway from Bern before taking the exit marked Frutigen-Adelboden.
From the south of Switzerland or Italy, travel to Goppenstein where you can drive onto the Lötschberg train to travel through the Lötschberg Tunnel. After exiting the tunnel at Kandersteg, you will drive off the train and then take the main road for Frutigen-Adelboden.
To reach Adelboden and the Hotel Cambrian by rail, take the train to Frutigen. You can then catch a local bus for the 25-minute trip to Adelboden, or a taxi will take around 15 minutes.
If you are visiting Adelboden between late April and the end of October, it is worth considering purchasing a Regional Pass Berner Oberland. The pass covers public transport – including numerous mountain railways – and discounted admission fees to many attractions in the Berner Oberland. Find out more about the pass > here.
You can read more about driving in Switzerland here and find out about the Swiss public transport network here.
Our Verdict
Although the infinity pool was smaller than expected, the service, food and accommodation at the Hotel Cambrian in Adelboden were outstanding.
The interior design is tasteful and relaxing and reflects the natural setting very well. Our room was also spacious, well appointed and comfortable with a lovely bathroom.
This Adelboden hotel, whilst certainly not the cheapest in town, makes a great base for exploring the Bernese Oberland as well as the local area. It is convenient for the shops and eateries of the village and offers stupendous views over the nearby waterfalls and mountains.
If you’re looking for spa hotels in Switzerland in your search for hotels in Adelboden, the magnificent setting of The Cambrian could barely be bettered.
> Click here for further information and to make a booking.
To read our full guide to the Bernese Oberland Region, > click here.
Note: I paid for my stay at the hotel.
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