Grandhotel Giessbach

We stayed here for 3 nights and it was lovely. Our room had a balcony that looked on to the waterfall and it was beautiful. ||The hotel lobby and sitting rooms are so beautifully done, with lots of seating areas. The actual hotel room we had was quite small but it did the job. Bathroom fixtures were great (we loved the shower!). ||We had a car so getting around to other places wasn’t an issue for us. We had the “Nostalgia Pass” which let us ride the funicular and the boat to Brienz. We then took the train up to Rothorn and back. It was a great excursion included with our room! ||I will say the restaurant menu was pretty limited. The food was food, but it was slow and the options were not very wide. All staff were fantastic though!

This historic hotel is beautifully situated above Lake Brienz, giving guests a gorgeous view of the unique blue waters. The staff were all welcoming and friendly, especially the breakfast staff, who went above and beyond each morning. ||We stayed 3 nights at the end of September 2025, the end of season, which meant that the more casual restaurant in the hotel stopped being open for dinner. It is difficult to leave the hotel at night, as there are no boats that run after about 1700, and even if you have a car like we did, the road leading to the hotel is a winding, single-track road and not something we wanted to experience in the dark after a dinner out. This left us with only one option for dinner each night in the "fancier" restaurant. No big deal, but keep that in mind if you are coming in shoulder season. ||We enjoyed the lake hike from Giessbach to Iseltwald, as well as multiple boat rides around the lake (complimentary with your stay at the hotel). ||We spent our evenings being serenaded by a live pianist in the bar, who entertained the room for hours. 5 stars! Overall we had a wonderful stay and enjoyed reenacting the Band of Brothers scenes from episode 10. :)

We had a truly wonderful experience during our stay. The reception staff were warm, welcoming, and always eager to help, while the restaurant servers and bartenders were consistently polite and professional. It’s clear that everyone here takes pride in what they do, and their positive energy really shines through to the guests. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated, with a timeless charm that feels like stepping into a classic film—unique, elegant, and comfortable all at once. The hotel’s setting is just as memorable, offering breathtaking views of the waterfall, lake, and surrounding hiking trails. Another highlight is the complimentary boat and funicular access, as well as Brienz Rothorn train which makes exploring nearby towns very convenient. Overall, a truly special and classy experience that we would happily recommend.

When we first visited Grandhotel Giessbach a few years ago, we couldn’t imagine not returning. This visit exceeded our memories and expectations. The welcoming staff, the incomparable natural setting, the excellent cuisine. Sitting on our balcony looking at the lake and waterfall was a slice of heaven. We already look forward to returning.

This is the most beautiful hotel we have ever stayed at. It’s a complete retreat away from the modern rush of life in a remote, incredibly serene and picturesque location over looking one of the best lake views you’ll ever see in Switzerland. Fantastic service by all staff who were welcoming, attentive. The view from the room was spectacular, food menu though small was perfectly curated and the wines were exceptional. This stay made us feel fully rested from a long day of travelling, and if ever you need to recharge and escape day to day life for some peace - this is the first place I would recommend. It is purely untouched, very traditional luxury.

I had the best day of my 33 years of life here! I arrived via boat with surreal views. My room overlooked the waterfall & I was able to climb almost to the top via trails. I had a day out of a fairytale and couldn't be more pleased with my stay. I only wish I had another day at the hotel!|The only improvement I would suggest would be the toilet hardware. My toilets flush did not work upon arrival yet, maintenance fixed it very quickly.

We absolutely loved our stay at the Giessbach Grand Hotel. The property is simply stunning — perched between the mountains, overlooking the lake, and with its very own waterfall right on the grounds. It’s hard to imagine a more breathtaking location.||The staff deserves special mention — everyone we met was friendly, courteous, and genuinely helpful, making us feel very welcome from the moment we arrived.||We had both dinner and breakfast at the hotel, and the food was excellent. As vegetarians, we were pleasantly surprised at the variety and flavor — it wasn’t Indian cuisine, yet it was among the tastiest vegetarian meals we’ve had while traveling. Truly a highlight of our stay!||The only aspect to be aware of is the commute. While there are hotel shuttles and a free boat service, the timings are limited. If your schedule doesn’t align, the alternative is a taxi to Brienz (the nearest train station), which costs around 50 CHF each way. For a short stay like ours (2 days), this wasn’t a big issue — we just planned around it and did one paid round trip. Honestly, for the experience of staying in such a gorgeous property with such wonderful staff, the extra cost felt worthwhile.||Overall, Giessbach Grand Hotel is not just a place to stay — it’s a destination in itself. I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Switzerland.

Grand Hotel Geissbach - This hotel is without question one of the most amazing hotels I have ever seen and stayed in. It is very traditional with a long history. Although a little auspicious at first presentation the reception staff are fantastic at setting the scene and making you feel at home. There is a fantastic waterfall next to the hotel which is a real feature. They have two restaurants - (a little pricey but good). The hotel itself is very well decorated and there is some art as well. The views of the lake from the hotel are exceptional. As you are in the forest/nature reserve take appropriate clothing it can be wet at times. If you stay at the hotel take advantage of the Nostalgia Pass and the free funicular. I would recommend.

This place is a step back in time with lots of class. You almost feel like you're royalty staying here. Heck, it's such a landmark that visitors will come just to have a drink. If you are looking for an experience with your hotel stay, this is the place for it. The atmosphere is breathtaking. Listen to some live piano music while sipping on a cocktail in the lounge and taking in views everywhere you look with a waterfall on one side and the magnificent Lake Brienz on the other. During the day you'll see a trolley that transports guests up and down to a ferry on the lake. My only note is that the comfort factor may not be quite as high as some other places, but the charm more than makes up for it. The buffet breakfast was what dreams are made of. Cheeses from local pastures, honey straight off the comb, fresh pastries, the best coffee and espresso--and that's just a few of my favorites. You also have your pick of fresh fruit, cereals, pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, etc.

The Grandhotel Giessbach is an adventure back into the grand lifestyle of the rich and famous! After you take the Funicular to the top you are greeted​ by the most sumptuous​ of gardens of spring flowers carefully​maintained​ by a dedicate horticulturist​. Venture inside​ (although why would you when the Swiss Alps demand you to stay and pay homage to their almighty majesty) to find a most elegant of interiors harking back to the Belle Epoque of yesteryear. The main dining​ rooms, billiard rooms, bar, ​and restaurant​ are all well maintained and serve the most picturesque​ views of the majestic falls... even the water they serve comes from this. Don't​ miss taking the trails up and into the fall this is as close to Mother Nature herself as one might suspect. Don't​ miss the four-course​ dinner served in their dining room, and the MAGNIFICANT​ BREAKFAST served daily - this is an adventure in fine dining as one can expect​ from a GRANDHOTEL!

Beautiful location, wonderful hotel, TERRIBLE service. Bill number 4715. 4th of June. First of all she ignored our table completely for about 10 minutes. After I went personally to her to tell her we are waiting, she finally decided to take our order. (Attitude from the beginning!) We ordered two Cappuccino, together with cake from the display. It took her another while to serve the Cappuccino. Unfortunately WITHOUT the cake. She said, she would bring the cake immediately (which would make sense because the cake was standing ready in the display area). Another five minutes later my husband was starting dtinking his coffee because he gave up. I decided to wait for my cake. That was a mistake. We waited another 10 minutes before she finally showed up with the cake (no word of excuse). Well, my Cappuccino was cold. I asked her to bring a new one because that was the idea to have both together. In between our waiting periods I watched her having lovely conversations with elder people which, obviously, stood in the hotel. It would have been ALL ok, if you don't pay CHF 25 for two Cappuccino and two cake and expect a top notch service in a top notch hotel and restaurant. We would have even spent more money or stayed around for lunch if her attitude towards us (and other non residential guest) wouldn't have been so disappointing. I would highly recommend that the restaurant management trains their stuff in the perspective that the guest is the one to be served. Somehow the waitress got the wrong idea about her job and ruined our experience at this place. Cappuccino was good. Cake was nice either.

What can one criticize about Swiss nature? Yet another breathtaking corner discovered while staying at the Grandhotel.