🇨🇭 Interlaken, Switzerland
Du Lac
📍 Interlaken
Photo: official website
Your stay — Du Lac
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The Property — Du Lac
Du Lac sits right on the Aare promenade with direct lake and mountain views from many rooms and the terrace. The lobby is sleek but unpretentious, with dark wood, pale stone and floor-to-ceiling windows that make the Jungfrau panorama the main decoration. It suits couples and older travellers who want a calm, scenic base without the faux-chalet kitsch that plagues some of the town's bigger hotels. The USP is the position: you step out the front door onto the lakeside path and are two minutes from the ferry terminal.
Chronicles of Interlaken
Interlaken grew from a 12th-century Augustinian monastery into a resort town after the Napoleonic Wars, when Swiss guides and British alpinists turned it into the gateway to the Jungfrau region. The Höheweg, the main street, was laid out in the 1800s as a promenade between the two lakes, and its grand hotels followed soon after. Today the town stays busy as the transport and shopping hub for the Jungfrau railway, but its architectural core is a mix of Belle Époque hotel blocks and functional 1960s concrete, not a preserved medieval old town. Culturally, it's unashamedly tourist-driven — German, Japanese and Indian signage are everywhere — yet the setting is so spectacular that it still feels like a proper mountain town.
Best Time to Visit
Full Interlaken guide →Best months
June to August for reliable warmth, long daylight (9pm sunsets) and all mountain lifts running. Both lakes are warm enough for swimming in July–August.
Peak / festival surge
July and early August are the absolute peak: schools across Europe and Asia are on holiday. Jungfraujoch, Harder Kulm and the lake boats are packed by 10am. Hotel prices at Du Lac typically double from June's rate; book before March to get a room with a lake view.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early September. Weather can still hit 25°C, crowds drop by about a third, and hotel rates at Du Lac are roughly 20-30% below July. The mountains may still have snow on high trails, but the valley is green and the larches haven't turned yet.
Weather & packing
An afternoon thunderstorm is common in summer — often violent but short — so pack a packable rain jacket that fits in a daypack. Rule: even on a blue-sky morning, keep layers; the wind off the lake can drop the felt temperature by 8°C in five minutes.
Live City Briefing — Interlaken
- The Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch will close for its annual maintenance from 4 November 2026 to mid-December, so July travel is unaffected, but check for any construction-related delays on early-morning trains.
- Interlaken West station's main footbridge is being replaced from May 2026; a temporary side entrance is in use, adding about three minutes to the walk between platforms and Du Lac.
- The annual Unspunnen Festival (cow fighting, flag throwing) is not on in 2026 — it's a 12-year cycle — so no special event crowds, but the Schynige Platte steam railway will be running daily from June.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Du Lac, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the garden/back courtyard, away from the main road. These upper floors are quieter and offer a glimpse of the surrounding mountains.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor (ground level) near the lift or stairwell, as foot traffic and service noise are common. Also avoid any street-facing rooms, as Interlaken's main roads can be busy with traffic and pedestrians.
Best views
The best views are from rooms facing south or east, offering a side glimpse of the Jungfrau region mountains. The hotel sits on a main road, so garden/courtyard rooms are preferable for a peaceful outlook.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, higher above street noise and with fewer passing guests.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road is the primary issue, especially during daytime. The lift and service areas generate occasional clatter, more noticeable on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. Request a high-floor garden-view room at booking; these are often quieter and have better light. 2. If driving, ask about free or discounted parking at check-in, as Interlaken's public lots can be pricey.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Du Lac
Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel, speeds around 30–50 Mbps down. No login required; network password on keycard envelope.
Yes, one lift serves all 4 floors (rooms and restaurant). No stairs-only sections.
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical papers. The hotel does not offer newspaper service.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available from 09:00 (luggage stored free). Late check-out until 12:00 free; after 12:00 charged CHF 50 until 14:00, after 14:00 full night rate.
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures; no charge for guests.
No step-free access – main entrance has a small step. There is no wheelchair-accessible room or adapted bathroom. Lift is standard width (not wheelchair-accessible).
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parkhaus Höheweg (2 min walk) costs CHF 2.50 per hour, CHF 24 overnight (18:00–09:00). No EV charging on property or in that car park.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 4.50 per person per night (mandatory, applies to all guests aged 12+)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; at check-in a CHF 250 incidental hold is placed on credit card
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Heiliggeist (655 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Schlosskirche (700 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Jehovas Zeugen (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Kirchgemeindehaus Matten (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Englischer Garten — 271 m · ~3 min walk
Brünig Dampfbahn BDB — 588 m · ~7 min walk
Schlosskeller — 697 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 133 m · ~2 min walk
Portmann — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Coop Pronto — 133 m · ~2 min walk
Interlaken Ost — 124 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid currency-exchange desks at stations and tourist offices, which charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops and mountain railways; contactless and Apple/Google Pay are standard.
Tipping is not mandatory—round up the bill or leave 5-10% for good service in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff appreciate a few francs for extra help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular filter coffee or espresso from a bakery or takeaway kiosk costs around CHF 4–5.
A bowl of soup or a sandwich from a supermarket or bakery costs CHF 8–12; a self-service lunch in a Coop Restaurant is about CHF 15–18.
A main course at a mid-range restaurant starts around CHF 22–28; a pizza or pasta dish is usually CHF 18–25.
Limited street food, but the weekly market on Höheweg (Tuesdays and Saturdays) sells grilled sausages and raclette; also look for bakeries with filled rolls and quiches.
Coop and Migros are the main budget supermarket chains; both have good-value takeaway sections and daily essentials.
For affordable high-street clothes, head to the Migros or Coop City stores in Interlaken West; there are also a few chains like H&M and C&A.
The cheapest way around the lakes and mountains is a Swiss Travel Pass (unlimited trains, buses, and boats for 3–15 days); for Interlaken town itself, walk or use the free bus service on the main routes.
1) Buy groceries at Coop or Migros instead of eating out for every meal. 2) Purchase a Swiss Travel Pass before you arrive for discounted mountain excursions. 3) Eat at lunchtime when many restaurants offer cheaper ‘Mittagsmenü’ (set lunch menus) around CHF 15–20.
Good to know — Interlaken
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
InterlakenFor non-urgent medical help, call the REGA helicopter rescue hotline at 1414 (free within Switzerland). The main hospital in Interlaken is Spital Interlaken, Weissenaustrasse 25, +33 826 26 26.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Interlaken, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Du Lac
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 133 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Portmann — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Interlaken Ost Station → Harder Kulm viewpoint
💡 Go at 08:30 to beat crowds – the first car is often empty. Your Swiss Travel Pass gives a 50% discount. The funicular runs May–October only.
Interlaken West Station → Höheweg, near Hotel Splendid
💡 Buy a 24-hour local pass (€8) from the station kiosk – covers all buses and trams in town. The Splendid is a 3-min walk from the stop.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Hotel Splendid, Interlaken
💡 Pre-book with a fixed-rate company like AirportTaxiSwiss to avoid surge pricing. Ask for a minivan if you have skis or bags.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Interlaken West Station
💡 Book a 1st-class Supersaver ticket online for €25–30 if you travel off-peak. Sit on the left side for lake views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Du Lac?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the garden/back courtyard, away from the main road. These upper floors are quieter and offer a glimpse of the surrounding mountains.
Which rooms should I avoid at Du Lac?
Avoid rooms on the first floor (ground level) near the lift or stairwell, as foot traffic and service noise are common. Also avoid any street-facing rooms, as Interlaken's main roads can be busy with traffic and pedestrians.
Is Du Lac noisy?
Street noise from the main road is the primary issue, especially during daytime. The lift and service areas generate occasional clatter, more noticeable on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Du Lac?
The best views are from rooms facing south or east, offering a side glimpse of the Jungfrau region mountains. The hotel sits on a main road, so garden/courtyard rooms are preferable for a peaceful outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Du Lac?
1. Request a high-floor garden-view room at booking; these are often quieter and have better light. 2. If driving, ask about free or discounted parking at check-in, as Interlaken's public lots can be pricey.
What time is check-in at Du Lac?
Check-in at Du Lac is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Du Lac have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel, speeds around 30–50 Mbps down. No login required; network password on keycard envelope.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Du Lac?
CHF 4.50 per person per night (mandatory, applies to all guests aged 12+)
Where can I eat cheaply near Du Lac?
A bowl of soup or a sandwich from a supermarket or bakery costs CHF 8–12; a self-service lunch in a Coop Restaurant is about CHF 15–18.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Du Lac?
The cheapest way around the lakes and mountains is a Swiss Travel Pass (unlimited trains, buses, and boats for 3–15 days); for Interlaken town itself, walk or use the free bus service on the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
June to August for reliable warmth, long daylight (9pm sunsets) and all mountain lifts running. Both lakes are warm enough for swimming in July–August.
Top Attractions in Interlaken
💡 Free organ recitals happen most Wednesday evenings at 19:30 in summer — check the noticeboard outside for exact dates.
💡 Cross the footbridge from Interlaken West station — the quietest time is early morning before the tour groups arrive.
💡 Walk it at sunset when the mountains catch the alpenglow — the light changes fast, so go around 20:00 in summer.
💡 For free entry, walk up instead of taking the funicular — the path starts behind the Interlaken Ost station and is unmarked but used by locals.
💡 Walk east from the Bönigen harbour — the swimming pier at the end of Seestrasse is free and rarely crowded, even in July.