Leading on from my previous post about the resort of Wengen in general this post is specifically about the accommodation we chose this time.
Over the years we have stayed in many different places depending on the size of the group we were with, their ages and the sort of catering required. This time we were a small group of five and had decided that we wanted to stay somewhere that was in a position away from the centre of the village but no less than a few minutes walk to the station, cable car and all other facilities.
Hotel Baren came high on our check list, especially as we were looking for somewhere that would provide a good standard of catering for both Christmas and New Year for residents without us having to book to eat out.
We had eaten before at the Hotel Baren’s restaurant which has an excellent reputation amongst villagers and visitors alike, but we had never stayed at the hotel before.
It turned out to meet all our expectations and we had a thoroughly enjoyable stay. It is a family run business and Therese and Willy Brunner make all their guests feel very welcome.
Two of our rooms were recently renovated, bright and comfortable with stunning views, the hotel environment was friendly. As for the food it was absolutely delicious and of a constant high standard. We would definitely like to stay there again.
It is a small hotel with no lift, but the stairs helped keep us in trim for the ski slopes. Even if you do not stay at the Baren, do have a meal there if you visit Wengen.
I will let the photos tell the rest of the story.
One of the recently renovated en-suite balcony rooms.
View from our balcony
Exterior photos
Interior photos
Finally New Year’s Eve at Hotel Baren
Menu – New Year’s Eve 2011.
Home smoked sturgeon from Frutigen on spicy apple salad
Lemon grass soup with Tonka bean-prawns
A fling with lamb, vegetables and sheep cheese in puff pastry
Rare fried beef sirlion with a strong Merlot sauce served with potato baskets and mixed vegetables
Fleurette de Rougemont with pear truffle jam
Chocolate Pave with mango
To view any of the photos shared here today in a larger format please visit the album Travel Tales - Hotel Baren on Flickr.com
All photos are my own taken in December 2011 and January 2012. 
For more information please visit the website Hotel Baren Wengen or Trip Advisor
Wengen is a Swiss holiday resort, altitude 1300m (4265 ft) , facing southwest at the foot of the imposing Eiger - Mönch - Jungfrau mountain range in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. .
Wengen is well known for its pure mountain air and although today I am sharing its winter views, with access only by train many visitors find its peaceful tranquillity an all year round attraction. The village has retained the charm and character of a typical mountain village, helping to make it a perfect destination for all kinds of holidays, from exciting winter sports to relaxing, walking or just getting away from it all.
As well as the scenic attractions of the resort it is also one of very few car-free resort villages in Europe, although there are a few service vehicles, local farm vehicles and taxi’s.
As I write Europe is still in the grip of ‘ a big freeze’, one of the coldest winters for many years, so a ski resort may therefore be the last place that many people are interested in reading about at the moment. Holidays in the snow, in the mountains though are a very different experience to coping with snow and cold in ones everyday life. If you are already a fan of winter sports holidays you will understand, if not let me tempt you otherwise in this post and the next few that I have planned to show you more of the beautiful surroundings.
In our family winter sports holidays have played an important part of our year for a very long time and Wengen is a particular favourite. My husband has been visiting this resort for well over fifty years, introducing myself ,our daughters and close family friends to this special place over thirty years ago.
Another four generations that have discovered the delights of Wengen, as this resort has long been popular with the British. It was in the early 20th century, that British tourists started ski-clubs in the area and Wengen is the home of The Downhill Only Club, one of the oldest British alpine ski clubs, founded there in 1925.
Wengen hosts the internationally well-known Lauberhorn ski races, and has done so since 1930. In addition to being one of the technically most challenging downhill races, the Lauberhorn is the longest race( 4.455m or 2.77 miles) in the FIS World Cup circuit and arguably the most scenic.
I will let my photographs continue the Travel Tale with some general village scenes. Next time I will share some photos of our current personal favourite Wengen hotel.
Wengen Village viewed from Allmend
Wengen’s main street.
Wengen’s Ice Rink is under all this snow!
An interesting mode of transport!
The Nursery slopes
Mannlichen Cable Car
The Lobhorn
Traditional cowbells
Sunset!
To view any of the photos shared here today in a larger format please visit the album Travel Tales - Wengen on Flickr.com
With thanks to the following sources which I used for help in compiling this post. If you are interested in more information about the resort it is worth visiting these links. Wikipedia, Wengen.com and Wengen Snow Report
All photos are my own taken in December 2011 and January 2012.
