Hotel Regina

I had a great time here. I backpacked solo throughout Switzerland and this was such a fun spot. It was affordable, had free breakfast, and amazing views.

Came for lunch. Waited as requested by a nice female waiter for 30 minutes. Took a table when one came free and a male waiter came over and asked why we had taken the table, rudely and incorrectly saying some others had waited longer than us. Very poor service, unable to deal with being busy.

The Regina suits her name regal and a compelling Grand Dame Hotel. We took a last minutes very competitive deal. The hotel is in a wonderful position with stunning views meters from the train station and Main Street. The lounge and bar area are in original grandeur yet cosy with a fire place and piano. We thoroughly enjoyed playing chess on the laid out chess tables. The hotel is ideally situated for the Jungfrau and cable car. Encountered some wonderful staff from the warm greeting of the receptionist, the professional lady at the bar, to the hard working waitress at breakfast. Lastly it was so good to have a visible, on hand manager. We loved our family time here and will be back. Do not forget to bring your camera to take photos of the breathtaking views and divine curiosities.

Hotel Regina is located on top of the tallest hill in Wengen and has breathtaking views. But seems it hasn’t been updated or refurnished in over 50 years!

Overpriced, decaying hotels like these are precisely why so many travellers now choose apartments. There’s no denying the building’s charm; at least, what remains of it. Once a grand hotel with an interesting history, the Regina now survives on faded velvet, creaking halls, ancient plumbing and a legacy it finds difficult to live up to. We had saved for this trip for a year and booked our 3 nights early, despite the high prices. On arrival we were given a room vaguely described as being on the "west side" - a euphemism it turned out for a disappointing view of an ugly white building shell with peeling paint. The hotel's website promises “stunning views from every room” but that must refer to a different hotel. We had not booked the cheapest room type and when we asked about a possible change we were told to “check tomorrow.” The next morning brought the usual long faced “Sorry we’re full.” The disappointment didn’t end there. The bathroom fittings were visibly old: the shower fixture broke on the first day (though repaired promptly), the toilet tank wouldn’t refill unless the flush button was pressed multiple times at five-minute intervals, the cabinet was cracked and there were chipped tiles. There were no proper blackout curtains, just a sheer and a flimsy cream one. Sunlight poured in at 6 a.m. When we mentioned it, the receptionist promised to “find a solution” but never returned. Eventually, we gave up complaining, as it simply took too long to speak to anyone. The reception is tucked into a narrow alcove, and with just one person manning the desk, queues formed awkwardly in the hallway. On one occasion, we waited over eight minutes just to be acknowledged. The breakfast was similarly underwhelming, though the location was a grand hall (the “Jack’s Brasserie” at night) with a very sticky wooden floor. The bread section was especially depressing: no croissants, the bread loaves stale and crumbly. The lifeless, burnt waffles looked like they’d been scooped out of the earth and dumped in a hurry. The sliced bread was miniscule in size. The toaster was so slow most guests gave up. The yoghurt was placed in open earthen cups, many of them chipped. We have seen better breakfasts at modest three-star inns. Staff interactions were inconsistent. The men at the front desk seemed to care more about remembering names than offering a smile. The breakfast team was kinder especially the older women who brought genuine warmth. A few young trainees also tried hard and were pleasant. We didn’t try any of the restaurants for dinner (even though there aren’t too many places to eat in Wengen), as we decided not to give the hotel any more money than we already had. The only real positive was the bed. Built solidly in another era with a comfortable firm mattress and pillows just right. I could go on. There were broken umbrellas missing bulbs and water canisters placed on the floor to catch drips from the ceiling. But I will simply say this - save your money. Wengen is a beautiful village with charming apartments at far more reasonable prices. Or try a different hotel.