the swiss alps hostel.
Balmers is the first private hostel in Switzerland!
Your home away from home in Interlaken...
Balmers Hostel
& the Social vibe
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MAKE INTERLAKEN YOUR NEXT BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATION
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The best reviews!
We read every review - and we genuinely appreciate all kinds of feedback. The positive ones lift our spirits, and the critical ones help us grow.
That said, weโve decided not to respond to every single review individually. Instead, we choose to focus our time and energy on actually improving things here at the hostel.
We know that nowadays, people often expect businesses to reply to every review - partly to show they care, and partly to boost visibility online. And we do care, deeply. But replying to every single comment just so it looks like we care feels inauthentic to us. Weโre a very human bunch, and we love connecting in real ways. Weโd rather keep things real than turn reviews into a checkbox exercise.
We also know reviews are deeply personal and subjective. Please read them with that in mind and take whatโs helpful for you in deciding whether Balmers is the right place for your stay.
On a more personal note: getting a negative review, especially when itโs rooted in a lack of communication, can be really disheartening. Our team is always around and available for a chat in person, and you can also reach us by email, phone, or WhatsApp if somethingโs not right during your stay. Weโd much rather try to fix things in real time than read about them later when itโs too late to help.
Everyone here at Balmers genuinely cares about what we do.We want your time with us to become part of the โgood, best, amazingโ kind of memories you take home.
FAQs
Got questions? We\'ve got answers.
Welcome to Balmers! First time here?
We’re stoked you made it! To help make your stayโand everyone else’sโas awesome as possible, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Be Cool:
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Respect others and their belongings.
- Keep it quiet after 10 PMโsome legends like to sleep.
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Check-out is by 10 AM. Please bring your sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcase to reception (no need to bring duvets or pillows).
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Return anything you borrowedโlike room keys or adapters.
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Lights and fans off when you leave the room, please!
A Few No-Gos:
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No smoking indoorsโeven with the window open.
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No cooking outside the guest kitchen.
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Donโt leave windows wide open with the heating on.
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And above all: donโt be disrespectful.
Thanks for being the absolute best! Weโre glad youโre here. ๐งก
What is Balmers Hostel?
Balmers Hostel is Switzerlandโs oldest privately owned hostel, set in three charming Swiss chalets surrounded by mountain peaks waiting to be explored. Itโs a relaxed, social place where travelers can connect, unwind, and enjoy a playful, one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Oh, and before we forget, we do throw a party or two, especially in high season.
Who is Balmers Hostel for?
Balmers Hostel is for open-minded and easygoing travelers aged 18 and over, looking for more than just a place to sleep. Whether you’re here to explore the Swiss Alps, meet like-minded people from around the world, or simply relax and enjoy the vibe, Balmers is your home away from home. We welcome solo travellers, groups of up to 10 people, and anyone with a sense of adventure and respect for others.
What time is check in and check out?
Check-in starts at 4:00 PM
Check-out is by 10:00 AM
When checking out, we kindly ask you to bring your bed sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcase down with you. Thanks!
I'm arriving really late, will I still be able to check in?
No worries. If you arrive after reception closes at 10.00 pm, you can use the check-in kiosk. Please come see us in the morning to get everything you’ll need during your stay.
Get Social
#balmershostel
Surfing the clouds above interlake Switzerland ๐จ๐ญ Come fly with us @bumblebee_hanggliding
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/hanggliding-tandemflights/ "
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๐ท @wolfgangsiess
Youโve seen the outsideโฆ but the best part of Balmerโs happens once you step through the door. ๐๐ก
For over 75 years, travelers from all over the world have been finding their way to Interlaken โ and to Balmerโs.
Come for the mountains, lakes and adventures. ๐๏ธ
Stay for the late nights, new friendships and people you definitely didnโt expect to meet. ๐ปโค๏ธ
Your Swiss adventure needs a home base.
๐ Book your stay at Balmerโs and come see whatโs behind these doors.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
๐จ๐ญ Is this Switzerlandโs prettiest villageโฆ or just its most famous Netflix spot?
Welcome to Iseltwald, a tiny lakeside village on the shores of the unbelievably turquoise Lake Brienz ๐
You might recognize its famous pier from Crash Landing on You, but thereโs much more to see here:
โจ A picture-perfect fishing village surrounded by mountains
๐ฐ The fairytale-like Schloss Seeburg sitting right on the peninsula
๐ Some of the bluest water youโll find in Switzerland
๐ข And one of the best ways to get here? Take the public boat from Interlaken and enjoy the views along the way!
The famous Netflix pier costs 5 CHF to access, helping the village manage tourism and preserve the area.
๐ Iseltwald, Lake Brienz
๐ Staying at Balmerโs Hostel in Interlaken? This is an easy little adventure to add to your trip.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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Would you put Iseltwald on your Switzerland bucket list? ๐จ๐ญโจ
๐๐ฝ www.misiguienteviaje.com
@ana_castrillo
Summer is slowly packing its bagsโฆ ๐๐๏ธ
The long sunny days are getting shorter, the air is getting crispier, and autumn is starting to sneak into Interlaken.
But some things donโt really change at Balmers.
Backpacks in the hallway.
New faces becoming familiar ones.
Stories being swapped in the kitchen.
Plans being made over a beer.
Big days in the mountains followed by even better nights back at the hostel.
Summer might be ending, but the adventures definitely arenโt. โค๏ธ
Fall in Interlaken means quieter trails, golden mountains, cozy evenings and a hostel full of travellers still wondering where to go tomorrow.
Come make yourself at home.
๐ Balmers Hostel, Interlaken
๐ Autumn looks pretty good from here.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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Picture from @s_kuipers_
Not your average walk in the mountains. ๐งโโ๏ธโฐ๏ธ
Clip in, climb up, try not to look downโฆ then absolutely look down because THAT VIEW. ๐คฏ
Via Ferrata is one of those Interlaken adventures that looks slightly questionable from below and feels absolutely epic once youโre up there.
Grab a few hostel mates, get your gear on and go make some questionable decisions โ safely attached to a steel cable, obviously. ๐
Whoโs brave enough? ๐
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" www.balmers.com/via-ferrata-around-interlaken-complete-guide/ :
Some hostel nights start with โletโs just go for a quick swimโ and end with the whole crew watching the sky turn gold. ๐
๐๏ธ
Sunset by the lake, surrounded by mountains, new friends and that kind of view you somehow never get tired of.
No plans. No rush. Just a bunch of travellers who met in Interlaken and ended up sharing one pretty bloody good evening together. ๐จ๐ญ๐
Come for the Alps. Stay for the people.
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" www.balmers.com "
How do I explain this to someone who has never skydived? ๐ค
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" www.balmers.com/activity/sky-diving "
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๐ท @outdoorinterlaken
When the cows leave their mountain pastures and make their way down for winter, you know autumn has properly arrived in Switzerland ๐๐๏ธโ
โ
Bells ringing, alpine views, cosy village streets, and the kind of tradition that makes Interlaken feel straight out of a postcard.โ
โ
Come stay at Balmerโs and catch a bit of Swiss magic for yourself ๐จ๐ญโจโ
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" www.balmers.com/the-top-5-reasons-to-visit-interlaken-in-autumn/ "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
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๐ท @kate._moores
From the bottom of the sea to the incredible Grindelwald Glacier, to the beginnings of tourism in Grindelwald, and now one of the craziest canyon swings in the world, this glacier canyon has seen it all. โ
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" www.balmers.com/visit-grindelwald-first/ "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
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๐ท @outdoorinterlaken
Made it out to the Alps! ๐๏ธ๐จ๐ญ๐๏ธ โ
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At Balmers, weโve created a variety of spaces where you can kick back, meet fellow travelers, and unwind after a day of adventures. Whether youโre in the mood to cook, relax, or play, weโve got the perfect spot for you.โ
" https://www.balmers.com/get-to-know-balmers-hostel/ "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
.โ
๐ท @kate._moores
Steal my 1-week Switzerland Itinerary!!๐จ๐ญโ
โ
Switzerland is an amazing destination for backpackers, as there is so much to do and see, and you can make it more budget-friendly. Here are all my recommendations for what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Switzerland ๐ โ
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" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-interlaken-upcoming/ "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
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๐ท @madyson_mykel
10 years ago, I stayed at my first-ever hostel, and still probably my favorite one of all time, Balmers Interlaken. This was during my college semester abroad in Barcelona. I had never traveled without my parents and didnโt know what a hostel was. That semester and weekend trip to Switzerland with some of my exchange student friends really set into motion my thrill of travel and meeting people. Little did I know that 10 years later (and about 50ยฐ warmer) I would be back! โ
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" www.balmers.com/hostel/private-dorms/ "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
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๐ท @_madmay
Not your average walk in the mountains ๐งโโ๏ธโฐ๏ธ
Climb, scramble, question your life choices for a secondโฆ then look around and realise it was 100% worth it. ๐
Via Ferrata in Interlaken = big views, shaky legs & one hell of a story for the hostel bar afterwards ๐ป
Whoโs brave enough? ๐
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/via-ferrata/ "
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๐ Stay at Balmers Hostel & add a little adventure to your Swiss trip ๐จ๐ญ
Video madr by @Chaitya_Amber
Take a seat, have a little wander, and let Interlaken do its thing โค๏ธโ
โ
Whether youโre here for the mountains, the mates, or just a cracking place to rest your legs โ Balmerโs has a spot waiting for you.โ
โ
Come on then, pull up a bench.โ
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" www.balmers.com "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
.โ
Picture by @jasmineeva_
Most people visit Interlaken and never hike up here ๐
๏ฟฝItโs one of the best viewpoints in the regionโand way less crowded than other popular spots.
โ
No cable car needed (but thereโs an option)๏ฟฝโ
Ideal for sunrise (still beautiful anytime)๏ฟฝโ
Itโs a short and scenic 3-hour round trip
๐กTip: bring layersโit gets windy at the top, even in summer!
Thanks @themanduls for this amazing video
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" www.balmers.com/activities "
Come for the mountains, stay for the people ๐ป
A beer turns into a game, a game turns into a night out, and the stranger you met five minutes ago somehow ends up in tomorrowโs plans.
Thatโs hostel life at Balmers. Easy to meet, easy to stay, hard to leave.
๐ Interlaken, Switzerland
๐ Book your bed and come say hi.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
5.5 hours round trip from Interlaken ๐จ๐ญ
1.5 - 2 hours in the canyon
50m rappel
Stunning alpine scenery
Ziplining, jumps and slides
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/canyoning-grimsel/ "
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@outdoorinterlaken
A little look inside Balmerโs ๐
Reception, living room, people coming and goingโฆ basically where plans are made, naps accidentally happen, and โjust one nightโ somehow turns into three.
Welcome in โ๏ธ
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" www.balmers.com/hostel
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Video made by @worldthroughashutter
We got this feeling on a summer day๐ฅ๐โ๏ธ
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" www.balmers.com/it/portfolio/paragliding-summer/ "
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๐ธ Our great pilots ursvonkaenel86 & chris.vuille
@paraglidinginterlaken
POV: you booked a hostel and somehow ended up at the end of the rainbow ๐๐
No pot of gold thoughโฆ just cold beers, new best friends and adventure. ๐ป
๐ Balmers Hostel, Interlaken
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
Which one? ๐คโ
.โ
" www.balmers.com/portfolio/bungy-jumping/ "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
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๐ท @outdoorinterlaken
My first solo travel adventure was a success๐จ๐ญ โ
.โ
" www.balmers.com/interlaken-lakes-waterfalls-activities/ "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
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๐ท @katie_leah171
Postcards from everywhere, stories from everyone ๐โจโ
โ
Every little note on the wall is a guest who passed through Balmerโs, made memories, and left a piece of their trip behind.โ
โ
Old-school vibes, new friends, and a hostel full of stories waiting to be written.โ
โ
Leave your mark at Balmerโs ๐๐จ๐ญโ
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "โ
๐ More info in our link in bioโ
.โ
Picture by @sadha.___
Sunset swims just hit different ๐
๐โโ๏ธโจ
Lake Thun, mountain views, good people and one seriously beautiful way to end the day. ๐ฆโฐ๏ธ
Summer evenings at Balmers = making memories until the sun goes down ๐๐ป
Whoโs jumping in? ๐
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" www.balmers.com/social-activities-at-balmers-hostel-and-social-events/ "
