Next Stop … Kandersteg

Since we were hoping to do a hike in the Kandersteg area, we didn’t dally once we reached Stechelberg.

Kandersteg is noted for its mountain scenery, and offers a number of hiking trails in the summer. It was a photograph of Oeschinensee that had us stealing a day from our planned stay in Beatenberg and another one from Zermatt to include the area in our plans.

We arrived in Kandersteg around 12:30p … way too early to check into our room at the Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria & Apartments. We found a parking spot in front of the hotel, used our parking app to set our departure date for the 27th, and went inside to leave our bags with the concierge so we could go for a wander.

Though the skies were overcast, there was no rain at that point. Mother Nature would be making up for that grace period later.

First, we briefly peeked inside the Kandersteg Evangelical Reform Church … simply decorated but with a beautiful wood ceiling. Then we headed off to do a scenic walk along the Kander River … recommended by the desk clerk at the hotel. Perhaps we made a wrong turn, because our steps took us along a road lined with homes and ended at a gondola station. We debated going up the mountain, but the summit was cloaked in clouds. When it started to rain, that sealed the deal and we returned to the hotel, where our room was ready for check-in.

The history of the hotel goes back to 1789 when “… for the solace and necessity of travelers and the sick’” a tavern was built in Kandersteg. Named the Ritter, it consisted of 12 chalets. In 1895, with the rise in tourism, the Victoria section of the hotel was added in the Edwardian and Victorian styles.

As requested, we were given a room on the top floor — #421. The top floor for guests, that is. Turns out that they use the 5th floor for storage and as housing for the international students hired for the summer season. Mui had to caution them earlier tonight when the noise of running feet above us kept echoing in our room. No problems afterward.

As for the room … both the bedroom and the bathroom are spacious, but they lack charm. The floor is a bit creaky, but not bothersome. The biggest issue is the incongruously modern ceiling lights that are not working and the two lamps by the bed are insufficient to light the room. The front desk staff was no help when we brought the problem to their attention. Luckily, the student (from Argentina) who is a member of the cleaning staff for our floor brought us a couple of floor lamps … he earned a special tip. Anyway, we are making do, but the room should have never been assigned to begin with.

The light rain that had dogged our footsteps back to the hotel had turned into a serious downpour while we were settling in. By 3:15p, however, the rain was starting to show evidence of letting up, so we went out for a short wander. Then to Café Schweizerhof for an early dinner. The kitchen was closing at 4:00p … which the waitress explained is when the chef takes his rest before the dinner service starts @ 6:00p. The ‘chef-in-training’ provided tasty food, so no complaints.

By the time we left the café, it was raining again … steady downpour. So, we returned to the room for an early night. With no comfortable seating in the room, Mui is having to make do with the bed. We moved the small table in the bathroom to the bedroom and I am using that as a desk to draft this post. Bedtime soon.

Tomorrow’s plan calls for us to take the cable car to Oeschinensee for a hike. Fingers crossed the weather will cooperate.Les mer