Berghotel Schynige Platte

Built in 1899, this hotel is one of the oldest in the alps and is accessed by the equally historic cogwheel railway up from Wilderswil, near Interlaken. The journey is worth it just in itself – the quaint train carriages and winding journey make for a special experience – but the top station at 1,983m is the kirsche on the kuchen. Its superlative view takes in the big three – the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – as well as lake Thun and the Lütschen valleys. You can admire it from the large sun terrace of the hotel’s panorama restaurant, which, thanks to its renovation in 2011, is rather swanky. Choose from a picnic-style self-service menu or be served typical Swiss dishes from the à la carte menu including goulash soup, wurst salad, grilled meats, rösti and älpermagronen (Swiss-style macaroni cheese). If you’re staying at the hotel or up on an early train, make time for the ample breakfast buffet including homemade jams, honeycomb, hardboiled eggs, local cheeses and fresh bread. When you’ve stuffed your face, walk it all off on the classic alpine trail up to the Faulhorn.