HOTEL BELLEVUE DES ALPES 4*
Jungfrau - Kleine Scheidegg
The Hotel Bellevue des Alpes ranks among the few remaining grand hotels of the nineteenth century. The location on the Kleine Scheidegg lies at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau at 2,070 meters, above Grindelwald and Wengen. At the center of the ski and hiking region, it is also the direct starting point for the Jungfraujoch railway, the highest train in Europe. The historically important hotel is still run as a family business with tradition in mind.
When the original hotel was built in 1840, goods and guests were carried up to the pass by pack mules, a climb of more than 1000 vertical meters. In 1893, Zürich tycoons built the Wengernalp Railway from Lauterbrunnen over the Scheidegg to Grindelwald, and the hotel was expanded as access became much easier. In 1912, the Zürich banker-engineer Guyer-Zeller constructed the highest railway line in the Alps, through the Eiger mountain up to the Jungfraujoch 3,466 meters (11,371 ft), and tourism boomed. The winter season adventure was a success from its first season in 1925/26, and between 1929 and 1930 the hotel was fitted to withstand the rigors of winter. In the 1930s, local mountaineering took a highly dramatic turn. The Eiger, 3970 m, had been climbed for the first time already in 1858 by the Englishman Barrington, but the 1800m high North Wall was only conquered 80 years later in 1938, and the North Wall variation known as the Lauper route, in 1932. All the famous climbers, from Barrington to Lauper and the conquerors of the North Wall, were guests on the Scheidegg; including the first to climb it in winter, the first on the direct route, the first to climb it alone, the first woman, etc.
Today, the hotel lives on with the timeless touch of another era. Run by the 5th generation of the Von Almen family, an architect by profession, who ensures that all restoration preserves the authentic history of this Belle Epoque gem. Around every corner, there's a reminder of the grand "fin de siècle” - the English-style foyer, the lounge filled with landscape paintings of the Jungfrau, the small formal banquet room in French style, with with a grand piano and view of the north face of the Eiger.
FOOD & DRINK: In the style of the Belle Epoque Hotels (and because of its remote location!), all guests dine together in the formal dining room for the evening half-board menu.
LOCATION: Hotel Bellevue des Alpes on the Kleine Scheidegg is only accessed via the Wengernalpbahn railway or by foot. Kleine Scheidegg is a car-free zone.
Highlights:
- Historic Mountain Hotel located at 2,070 meters, under the North Wall of the Eiger
- A journey back in time, to the pioneering days of alpinism and mountaineering
- Swiss Historic Hotel of the Year: 2011
- Updated for the 21st century, while preserving the ambiance of the 19th century
- Enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace, as the British climbers did in the 1850's
- Quite possibly the best view from any hotel in the Alps!
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Destination: jungfrau-interlaken
Experience options in: Jungfrau-Interlaken
WHAT WE DO
Epic Europe is a luxury experiential adventure travel operator based in the Swiss Alps.
Epic Europe specializes in private bespoke itineraries for small groups. Experiencing the best of each region, from interacting with the local people and enjoying authentic regional food and wine, as well as time-honored traditions and festivals, to recreating in the alpine landscape, and truly understanding why the Alps are the birthplace of adventure travel. From custom ski, hiking, or cycling trips to building in city tours, cultural itineraries, or gastronomic discovery, these award-winning, multi-dimensional trips are tailored to our clients' wishes every time, and are not packaged tours. From Switzerland, Italy, and France's Alps, to world-class cultural cities and larger towns, Epic Europe can design a tailored adventure that fulfills your every need.
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“The team at Epic Europe created the most incredible trip for us, where everything came together seamlessly, and we never had to think about what came next - it just magically happened as if it was meant to be. That takes real talent, and they make it look easy." - B.N., WY USA
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"Epic Europe has coordinated several corporate events for us over the past 5 years, and I cannot imagine a more professional operation to handle all of the details. From a team-building event for 50 people in a 17th-century castle atop a mountain pass, to marketing conferences and catalog shoots, their knowledge of the best locations in the Alps is second-to-none, and they are as good as it gets at being creative." - E.P., Lugano CH
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"Hiking in the Alps has always been on my bucket list, but I wasn't sure that a typical trip was my style. Epic Europe designed a custom route for our group, staying in the best little inns and hotels, and we felt like we had the trails to ourselves. I will come back again and again to explore new trails with their guides every year that I can!" - R.B., NY USA
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"I have done trips in the Alps and surrounding regions with Epic Europe for the past 4 years, and every one has been unique and surpassed the last. The experiences that they deliver due to their personal relationships are a window into the real life in these incredible locations, and they share these friendships with us." - K.B., CT USA
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"Our family spent last Christmas in Zermatt on a bespoke Epic Europe ski trip. The special thought and care that they put into our holiday made it our best yet." - L.M.; CA USA
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"I would have to say that Verbier and Zermatt might be the best places I have ever ridden a mountain bike, and I couldn't imagine going without the help of Epic Europe's guides. It was a dream trip for sure." - B.S., PA USA
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"A day of heliskiing in Italy culminated with a sunset run off the Breuil saddle of the Matterhorn - one of the most thrilling runs of my life - and we left our tracks in a place where they remained for a week afterward, reminding us of the best day of skiing in our life!" - WG, CT USA
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"Epic Europe's custom road biking trip that they put together for my buddy's bachelor party was great - the right combination of killer rides, great hotels, and outstanding restaurants. Great guides, and overall a perfect trip." - A.S., London UK
PROCESS
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