The Brecon

Rooms

Throughout the hotel, every inch has been curated and no detail overlooked - even the speakers in the sitting areas are disguised as books within the shelves. The rooms are no exception. Spread across the original timbered hotel framework from 1914, they range from the more intimate Cosy rooms to the airy and spacious Loft suites, with your choice of Village, Forest, Waterfall or Mountain views.

Each one has been lovingly furnished and fitted out to feel like guest bedrooms in a private house, with tufted rugs, patterned textiles and artisan details - all sumptuously soft and comfy. The sleek and simple ensuites are clad in rosy-pink tiles and marble sinks. There’s no more perfect place to crash after a lavish dinner and endless top-ups.

The Cosy rooms are the smallest, but by no means sparse. Village Cosy rooms are slightly larger but we’d still opt for the Mountain Cosy room (where we stayed) as you're guaranteed a balcony with a gorgeous view of the Lohner mountain range; we loved watching paragliders drift overhead and down into the valley from ours. The double-aspect Waterfall Corner room is roomier, with two balconies and a distant view of the Engstligen waterfall - one of Switzerland’s largest.

The Loft suites are the most spacious, with vaulted ceilings, deep sofas and balconies looking out over the village, the slopes criss-crossed with lifts, and the snowy peaks beyond. Mountain Loft is the largest, sleeping up to four, with panoramic views of the Lohner mountain range, and wooden stairs leading up to a second double bedroom.

All rooms also come with fluffy robes, slippers, radios, tea and coffee, Aesop toiletries and of course, well-stocked complimentary mini-bars. Our only gripe was that the wardrobes were on the small side, which made storing our winter layers a challenge. 

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Complimentary mini-bar
• Hairdryer
• Radio
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Everything from breakfast till dinner is included in the rates, and drinks flow freely all day. Delicious meals roll out of the open-plan kitchen at the heart of the hotel, and ingredients are carefully sourced from local suppliers.

Days start with a breakfast fit for a king. There's a continental spread to peruse, including granola, fresh fruit, yoghurt, fresh bread and pastries, and a selection of fruit juices. Then our coffee and hot food order was taken; our favourites were the overnight oats, eggs benedict, the 'Brecon Special' (a muffin with tomato pesto, spinach and a poached egg) and the sharing plate of local meats and cheeses.

After a day on the slopes or trekking through the wilderness, it was such a treat to return to an afternoon tea of delicious sandwiches, homemade cakes and, of course, infinite Champagne. Then, unwind in the spa, followed by an apéritif by the pool, with a dazzling view of the Adelboden Massif.

In the evening, take a seat at the chef’s table for a four-course dinner and wine pairing. Dishes are seasonal and change daily; during our stay, starters included steak tartare, green vegetable soup and a rich truffle pasta, followed by flank steak with grilled vegetables, and a local Zander fish with quark gnocchi, vegetables and Beurre blanc. We finished with homemade desserts, and especially enjoyed the topfenknödel (sweet dumplings served with a fruit jus), a local speciality. The wines are meticulously curated - mostly French and Swiss - and topped up regularly.

If you have room for a nightcap, the fabulous mixologists will whip up a classic cocktail or something tailored to your tastebuds. They also serve an impressive selection of mocktails and alcohol-free fizz and wine. Feel free to take your drink, even a whole bottle, up to your room to sip while you stargaze from your own balcony.  

Features include:

• Afternoon tea
• All meals included
• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegan options
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Three ski areas – Engstligenalp, Tschentenalp, and Silleren – total more than 210km of outstanding pistes, with 72 lifts to get you around. It's a particularly great area for intermediate skiers, and Brecon guests get a discount at a nearby ski hire shop 
• There’s no end to the winter sports and snowy trails you could dive into here, from sledding and cross-country skiing to snowshoeing and winter hikes
• With over 200km of trails, this is a great spot for hiking or running, from gentle valley walks to Alpine summits like Wildstrubel. We took a walk to Stiegelschwand, following the scenic river, then up to the TschentenAlp lift for wonderful views
• Intermediate and experienced riders will love the mountain bike trails and road cycling routes around Adelboden
• Visit the Engstligen Waterfalls - stunning 600m twin cascades with nearby trails
• Try paragliding from Tschentenalp for breathtaking aerial views
• Get swooping panoramic views from the giant, high-altitude swing at Tschentenalp
• Browse Adelboden's charming shops and markets, and ask about village events during your stay, like ice hockey matches or Christmas carols
• Enjoy an apres-ski fondue or raclette in one of the village's traditional gingerbread-style chalets

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Paragliding
• Sauna
• Skiing
• Snowsports
• Spa treatments
• Swimming
• Waterfalls
• Well being

Kids

This is an adults-only hotel. Families travelling with children can check out their sister hotel, The Cambrian, just down the road.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Brecon is in Adelboden, which is in the heart of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, tucked into a forested valley and surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

By Air:
Fly into Bern (65km, the closest airport) if you can, or one of Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (Euroairport) / Zurich / Geneva (all around 170-200km, but served by more flights).

From the Airport
Hotel transfers are available, or you can take the train or hire a car.

By Car:
You're an hour from Bern and about 3 hours from Basel, Zurich or Geneva. Speed cameras are everywhere, and will fine you if you go even 1km/h over the limit, so beware! See our car rental recommendations. Valet parking is available at the hotel, charged by the day.

By Train:
The nearest railway station is Frutigen, with trains from Zurich, Geneva, Zurich and other large cities. From Frutigen, you can take the bus to Adelboden Post, located just across the street from the hotel. Or you can arrange for a hotel transfer from the station.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.