Swiss Alps | Roof Terrace | Gstaad & Interlaken

Wake up to mountains, watch the sun rise, follow the light across the valley, then watch it disappear behind the peaks before the stars come out. Our historic Bären apartment has a private roof terrace, balcony and 180° mountain views, right in the heart of Zweisimmen. Step outside to the village, train, shops and restaurants, with skiing, hiking and the Gstaad region all within easy reach. A private Alpine escape with the best of village life and mountain adventure. The space Your Swiss Alpine home in the heart of Zweisimmen Our beautiful Swiss home occupies the second and third floors at the back of the historic Bären guesthouse and gastropub, right in the centre of Zweisimmen. The Bären dates back to the 9th century, and you can feel that history in the old woodwork and character of the building. We have renovated the apartment extensively to create something quite different: a peaceful, comfortable Alpine home with plenty of space to gather, entertain, retreat and simply enjoy being in the mountains. And the location is hard to beat. Zweisimmen is a small, lively market town with its own character and history, tucked between Lenk and Gstaad and within easy reach of the Gruyères and Diemtigtal areas. The scenery is spectacular in every direction, but the village itself remains relaxed and wonderfully easy-going. You can walk to the train, shops, restaurants, bakery, cheese shop and local butcher. Then come home, shut the door and retreat into your own little Alpine world. A home made for mountain days This is a chalet-style apartment designed for people who want to spend time together, not simply somewhere to sleep. There are several places to retreat with a book or a coffee, but the heart of the home is the large open living and dining area upstairs. The internal staircase is open, allowing you to see the beautiful old woodwork of the original Bären building. Because of this, we feel the apartment is best suited to adults and families with older children and teenagers rather than very young children. There is also a wonderfully generous south-facing balcony where you can catch the sunshine throughout the day. Sunshades are available when you need a little less of it. And then there are the mountains. The apartment enjoys wonderful 180-degree views, so you can watch the light change across the valley throughout the day. Sunrise, snowy peaks in the afternoon, sunset and, when the sky is clear, a remarkable display of stars afterwards. It is rather easy to lose track of time here. The kitchen and dining space The black walnut galley kitchen has everything you need to cook properly during your stay, including an induction hob, oven and Nespresso Vertuo machine. The oversized Moroccan granite dining table is where we imagine most of the good conversations happening. It is big enough for everyone to gather around, with pine benches softened by sheepskin coverings. It is warm, cosy and practical — equally suited to breakfast before a day on the mountain or a long dinner that goes on rather later than planned. The fire One of our favourite features is the 180-degree open fire with its heated blue soapstone surround. On cold winter days, there is something particularly lovely about coming home from the mountains, lighting the fire and warming yourself against the soapstone. It makes the apartment feel very different from a standard holiday rental. The bedrooms There are three bedrooms, plus additional sleeping space in the living room. Bedroom 3 — the children's or teenagers' den As you enter the apartment, the hallway gives you somewhere to leave shoes and outdoor gear. To the left is a generous sleeping space particularly suited to children or teenagers. It has a king bed and a pull-out single bed, giving them a little world of their own. Bedroom 2 — the fun one This room has been designed to sleep up to four people, with three beds and a rather fabulous net hammock stretched across the ceiling. It is a favourite with families and children who appreciate that holidays should contain at least a little bit of fun. Master bedroom The master bedroom sits in the quietest corner of the apartment. It has a king bed and its own ensuite bathroom, with windows and lovely light. It is the sort of bedroom where you may genuinely struggle to persuade yourself to get up. Eventually, though, you remember that the bakery is nearby, the bread and croissants are excellent, and you are staying directly opposite a wonderful cheese shop and one of the best butchers in the area. So you probably should get up. Eventually. Living room The living room also has a comfortable king-size pull-out bed, making it possible for larger groups to spread out comfortably. The bathrooms The turquoise family bathroom has both a full-size bath and a generous rain shower, with plenty of drawer storage. All bathrooms have adjustable heated towel rails — one of those small details that becomes surprisingly important when you come home cold from the mountains. Getting here The apartment is accessed from the east side of the Bären complex. You walk along the gravel path past the Bären bar, then take the stone steps up to the private entrance and lockbox. It feels tucked away despite being right in the centre of the village. Once inside, you are away from the activity of the pub and into your own private home. Everything you need for an easy arrival We want you to arrive and feel that you can simply put your bags down and start your holiday. The beds will be beautifully made with very soft linens and fluffy duvets. Towels, coffee and the everyday basics are provided, so you don't need to arrive with half the contents of your linen cupboard. There is also 5G Wi-Fi throughout the house, so you can stay connected when you need to, and the television allows you to log into your own streaming services or cast from Apple or Android devices. And, importantly, sledges If you are visiting in winter, sledges are available for you to use. Because no Alpine holiday should be without them. The surrounding area Zweisimmen is a brilliant base for exploring the wider region. Gstaad is close enough for a day of beautiful shops, restaurants and people-watching, while Lenk and the surrounding valleys offer wonderful mountain experiences of their own. In winter, the area is made for skiing, sledging, snow walks and generally embracing the fact that you are surrounded by mountains. In summer, the same landscape becomes a playground for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and exploring the Alpine farms and valleys. And because the train station is nearby, you can explore much of the region without needing to drive everywhere. A note before you book The apartment is spread over two floors and has an open internal staircase without a handrail. The design allows you to see and appreciate the original timber structure of the historic building, but it also means the apartment is not suitable for small children. We feel it is particularly well suited to adults, couples, groups of friends and families with older children or teenagers. What we love about it For us, this home is about the combination of things. The history of the old Bären. The mountains outside every window. The privacy of your own space while being right in the middle of the village. The enormous dining table where everyone can gather. The fire on a snowy evening. The balcony in the sunshine. The smell of coffee in the morning. Fresh bread and croissants from the bakery. Cheese from across the road. A sledge waiting for the afternoon. And then, after a day out, coming back, lighting the fire and watching the mountains disappear into the evening. It is not a generic Alpine apartment. It has history, character, warmth and a slightly eccentric family feel — which is exactly what we wanted when we created it. We hope you love it as much as we do. Guest access Guests have private access to the entire apartment and all areas described in the listing. There is a separate owners’ area within the property, including a sauna and plunge pool, which is not available for guest use. Thank you for respecting this private space. Other things to note The stairs inside the apartment have no handrail not suitable for young children.