Grand Hotel Belvedere, a Beaumier Hotel

Our take

Lauterbrunnen's valley walls rise almost vertically outside the windows here — that's the whole point. The Belvedere under Beaumier's hand delivers mountain proximity done with restraint: proper views, trails from the door, a sensibility that rewards those who came to actually be in Switzerland. Bring hikers, bring romantics, bring anyone who considers a waterfall visible from the village a legitimate amenity. Come expecting a destination resort with a full wellness complex and you'll leave quietly frustrated. Two or three nights, boots on, that's the move.