Best Western Plus Hotel Bern

The Best Western Plus Hotel Bern stands on the Zeughausgasse, a street that runs along the western edge of the Old Town between the Käfigturm and the railway station area. That position is the main reason to consider it. You can reach the station on foot in a few minutes, and the covered arcades of the Marktgasse and Kramgasse begin close by, which means a first visit to Bern can be done almost entirely without public transport. The hotel belongs to a well-known international brand, so the standards are predictable: a clean, comfortable room, a decent bed, a private bathroom and a reception desk that can help with maps, tickets and onward travel. For travellers who like to know what they are getting, that consistency is a real advantage in a city where small independent hotels vary a great deal in size and style.

Rooms in a hotel of this type are usually practical rather than grand, with a desk, a wardrobe, a television and a bathroom that is modern enough to be comfortable. Room sizes in central Bern buildings can differ, so check the category when you book, and consider a larger room if you are travelling with children or plan to spend evenings in. Light sleepers should ask for a room away from the street, because the Zeughausgasse is a lively city street and trams, buses and late revellers can be audible on some sides.

Breakfast is normally available and is worth adding if the rate does not include it, because cafes in the centre can be pricey and you will want to leave early for the Zytglogge, the Minster and the Bear Park.

The location makes this hotel a good base for rail-based day trips. Trains for Thun, Fribourg, Biel and the Emmental all leave from the main station, and the walk from the hotel with a small bag is short enough that you do not need a taxi. In the evening you can stroll into the Old Town for a fondue or a rösti, or cross the Nydegg Bridge to the Bear Park and the Rosengarten for the classic view back across the roofs.

Many hotels in Bern give guests a local transport pass, so ask at check-in whether one is included in your rate.

Best Western Plus suits first-time visitors, families who want a central bed without paying for a grand hotel, and anyone who values a recognisable brand and flexible booking options. It is less atmospheric than a small Old Town guesthouse, and it will not have the spa or river views of the upscale properties, but the price is usually fairer and the position is hard to beat.

Rates rise when parliament is in session and during trade fairs, so book early for those weeks. Always check the cancellation terms, whether breakfast is included and whether there is a parking charge, since parking in the centre is limited and you may be better off leaving a car at the edge of town.