The Cambrian, Adelboden: Alpine Spa Hotel with a Famous Outdoor Pool

The Cambrian sits in the centre of Adelboden, a mountain village at 1,350 metres at the head of the Engstligen valley in the Bernese Oberland. Its heated outdoor pool, with snow peaks reflected in the water, is one of the best-known hotel views in the Swiss Alps.

The Cambrian hotel in Adelboden

The Cambrian has 72 rooms and suites in different shapes and sizes. It belongs to the Design Hotels group and has been awarded a Michelin Key. The building is a classic, many-balconied village hotel on Dorfstrasse, with a modern, minimalist interior of dark stone, timber, open fireplaces and huge windows facing the valley.

Food is in the hands of the Welsh chef Bryn Williams, whose restaurant mixes local Swiss ingredients with his Welsh and London background. The Axe Bar serves cocktails, wine and local beers. The hotel also lends guests a MINI Countryman for touring the region, and its sister property, The Brecon, is an adults-only, all-inclusive hotel in the same village.

The Cambrian Spa and outdoor pool

The spa is the main draw. It has heated indoor and outdoor pools, a Finnish sauna, a steam bath, a rain shower, a relaxation area and a gym open 24 hours. Treatments use Susanne Kaufmann products and are best booked in advance.

• Spa hours: 08:00–21:00; saunas from 12:00.
• Children: 10:00–18:00.
• Day guests: by phone enquiry, at CHF 30 for a half day or CHF 60 for a full day.

Hours and prices can change, so check the The Cambrian spa facilities page before you go.

Adelboden: skiing, hiking and the Engstligen Falls

Adelboden has been a winter resort for well over a century: the Briton Sir Henry Lunn ran the first packaged winter sports holidays here in 1903. Today the village is best known for the Chuenisbärgli, one of the toughest giant slalom courses on the men’s Alpine Ski World Cup, usually held in January.

The ski runs, shared with Lenk next door, cover every level, and there are around 40 km of winter walking trails. From The Cambrian, the village lift is about ten minutes on foot, and a winter shuttle runs to the main cable car station at set times.

In summer the valley has some 200 km of hiking trails. The highlight is the Engstligen Falls, where the river drops about 375 metres over the rocks, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Bernese Oberland. In early summer around 350 cows are driven up past the falls to the high pastures of Engstligenalp. The Wildstrubel massif, over 3,200 metres, closes the head of the valley.

How to get to Adelboden

Adelboden has no railway. Take the train to Frutigen, then regional bus 230 up to the stop Adelboden, Post, which is right across the street from the hotel entrance. The SBB luggage service can send your bags ahead from many Swiss stations and airports.

By car, indoor and outdoor parking costs CHF 20 a night; reserve ahead if your vehicle is over 2.05 metres tall or has a roof box. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out by 11:00. Full details are on the hotel’s official website and FAQ.

Make a longer Swiss trip of it with Bern in winter or the Furka Pass road and railway.

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