Introduction
There are several small towns in Switzerland that go by the name Flühli. They are usually distinguished only by their different spelling. The Flühli I’m visiting today is the one in Entlebuch in central Switzerland.
Entlebuch is the name of a small town close to Lucerne. It’s also the name given to part of the Emmental valley that is now a listed UNESCO biosphere.
Getting There
Getting to Flühli by public transport is easy, it just requires a bit of planning, given that there’s only one connection each hour from either Berne or Lucerne to Schüpfheim, from where you catch the Postauto going up to the Sörenberg ski resort. The Postauto conveniently stops right in front of the Kurhaus.
The Kurhaus
Flühli is a quiet, one horse town kind of place. The Hotel Kurhaus Flühli was established in 1899. It’s a very small hotel with only 29 rooms.
In the 1990s the hotel was extensively restored and became part of the Swiss Historic Hotels.
The hotel is obviously very well kept and maintained.
And very rustic. There’s wood paneling more or less everywhere.
Room 102
Luckily, I’m staying in room 102. Much better than having to spend the night in the notorious room 101.
Room 101 is the worst thing in the world.
Here too, wood paneling covers every flat surface available, except for the bathroom.
The room is very spacious.
It’s also very austere.
There are no pictures, no carpets, no television. It’s austere and a bit strange to be honest, but I rather like it.
The fittings in the bathroom looks as though they were only recently installed.
The Gaststube
There is a small restaurant on the ground floor.
From what I gather, it’s the heart of the village’s communal life.
There’s something very old-fashioned about the restuarant.
The placemats remind me of Virgin Atlantic.
I’ve booked a rate that includes dinner. I figured there would be a menu. It turns out I was wrong. Dinner is a four course set menu that features a lot of meat, which I normally don’t eat.
But it is what it is, and my parents taught me better manners than to refuse food that has been prepared for me. I’ll live.
Nüssli Salat mit Speck. A classic.
The soup was hearty and good.
The meal is good. Like the rest of the hotel, there’s something a bit retro about it.
I mean, I can’t remember the last time I had croquette potatoes!
And Stalder Crème for dessert. You’d have to be live in Switzerland to know it.
I don’t take any photos of the breakfast buffet, but let me just say it’s lovely!
Conclusion
Flühli is off the beaten track. If you’re expecting facilities and views similar to those in the typical Swiss Alpine ski resorts like Andermatt or Adelboden, I suspect you may be sorely disappointed. Flühli is a place to visit for some peace and quiet, and to experience life in a quiet mountain village.
Just my Kinda hotel——-Swiss,wooden,Cute[theres that word again] and with a certain kind of gemutlichkeit——pity its not beside a limpid lake[a la ‘Hotel du lac’]!!!
Well, there is a small river. But it’s not the same. And the mountains are quite spectacular.
Thinking again—— As you say , it is a shade austere——– they could cosy it up with some rugs,or carpet and some art on the walls. The restaurant could include some vegetarian dishes,and they could make an attempt at making the place a ‘destination’ place to eat——– table lamps would be nice!
“in the notorious room 101 (it’s the worst thing in the world)”
Sarcasm, or dare I ask something else?
Seems like a nice place to spend a weekend exploring all the different small towns and villages in the area.
In George Orwell’s 1984 there is no love but the love for big brother. Those who go astray are taken to room 101, which changes from person to person. It is the worst thing in the world because it is aimed at your deepest fear. Room 101 is where you are taken to break your will. In the case of Winston, the hero, it’s where they make him betray his lover, Julia. Until all that is left is the love for big brother. It’s a very powerful scene.
Third comment——– looked at the hotel website—— not bleak at all!!!!!——– some rooms have wallpaper and a bath——- that where i’d stay!
THATS !!!