Central location in historic city center of Bern, walkable to the Zytglogge
Simple rooms with flat-screen TVs and espresso makers
Free Swiss-style breakfast buffet with hot and cold items
Lobby bar offers variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Small gym with cardio machines and free weights
Children under 12 stay for free with parents
Laundry room with ironing station
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms lack air-conditioning
Minibars or mini-fridges not offered in rooms
Reports of thin walls and bothersome noise
Little character in rooms
Both the Einsteinhaus and the Zytglogge are within a 10-minute or less walk from the three-pearl Hotel Baren am Bundesplatz. The hotel is a functional property with little character, which is somewhat odd for a historic hotel in the old town of Bern. It offers 67 rooms with the basics, like flat-screen TVs and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Unfortunately, some rooms don't have air-conditioning and reports of thin walls and bothersome noise are common. The lobby bar provides space for social interaction. There are a free Swiss breakfast in the morning and drinks throughout the day and evening. For rooms with mini-fridges and a full on-site restaurant, Best Western Hotelbern is a good alternative.
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Scene
Historic hotel with a modern design and a social-friendly lobby bar area
Despite being established in 1850, Hotel Baren am Bundesplatz lacks the elegance and historic decor of some of the historic hotels found in Bern’s Old Town. The lobby is a combination of a reception desk and a lobby bar area. It’s decked out in a modern style of neutral tones and blond wood accents in the ceiling and front desk. The lobby bar has a bit more style with floral-printed chairs and banquettes and vintage posters of Swiss locations. There are no other public spaces beyond the lobby bar, but it’s a good spot for guests to interact throughout the day with a drink in hand. Couples and business travelers are the main clientele. However, the policy of children under 12 stay free with their parents, families like it, too.
Location
Located in the historic city center of Bern; train station, restaurants, and attractions less than 10-minutes away on foot
It’s hard to get more central than Hotel Baren am Bundesplatz. Located in Bern’s city center, it’s easy to walk to most attractions and public transportation. The main train station is just a five-minute walk away. There are stores and restaurants surrounding the hotel, making it easy to find something to eat quickly. Bern’s famous Bear Pit is a 20-minute walk away, while the Zytglogge (landmark medieval tower) takes six minutes to reach on foot. Einsteinhaus (Einstein's former home) is an eight-minute walk away. It takes 20 minutes to reach Bern Airport.
Rooms
Simple, but pleasant, rooms with coffee- and tea-making facilities and flat-screen TVs; some lack air-conditioning
Hotel Baren am Bundesplatz’s rooms are simply decorated and filled with neutral tones and minimalist blond-wooden furniture. Framed abstract artwork on the walls add some personality to the white beds, gray carpet, and blue accents. Overall, the vibe is more functional than homey. The hotel offers Single and Double rooms and Single Rooms provide less space. Besides a lack of mini-fridges or minibars, features are decent and include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Free still and sparkling water is a nice extra touch. Only street-facing rooms have air-conditioning. The white-tiled bathrooms feature showers with Eco by Green Culture toiletries in wall-mounted dispensers. Hairdryers are also provided. Past guests have noted bothersome noise from thin walls.
Features
A gym, a bar, and the added bonus of a free Swiss breakfast buffet
As a small, historical property, Hotel Baren am Bundesplatz doesn't have the facilities of larger hotels. Its main highlight is a free Swiss-style breakfast buffet of fresh juice, pastries, Muesli, fruit, meat and cheeses, salmon, scrambled eggs, and sausages. Though there’s no other dining options on-site, the hotel has a lobby bar that serves a variety of drinks. Guests can stay active in the small fitness center which has some TechnoGym cardio machines and free weights in a room with a forest mural and bottled water. A laundry room and ironing station is available. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout.
