When we decided to spend a week hiking in the Alps, we knew we wanted to hike in the Aletsch area, but where to stay? We had Belalp, Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp to choose from. One look at the Hamilton Lodge website in Belalp, and I knew where I had to stay. Of course, often times the website looks nicer than the actual hotel, but when we walked in the door and into the reception area, I knew I had picked the right place. Belalp is a car-free village and the only sounds around are the cow bells and the mooing in the morning when the cows are sent out to the pastures after being milked.

The hotel is decorated in what I'd call an alpine-scandinavian style and is not necessarily typically Swiss. The owners are Dutch and have put much love into decorating the hotel. It feels warm and comfortable, which is certainly welcome in winter, during the high season, but it was also nice for us as we haven't been enjoying summer sun, but rather rain and fog. Our room is kept in the same style and the keys are attached to wooden heart and a big bell.

After settling into our room, we each grabbed a book and went to the lounge. There was a roaring fire and we weren't the only ones sitting in the comfortable chairs, reading books and having a drink. This area of the hotel is my favorite. But then again, I love any room that has a fire place!

When we sat down for dinner, I couldn't stop exclaiming how much I love everything. The decorations and especially all the candles everywhere. It feels warm and cozy and romantic. I think I drove my husband crazy and he was glad the waiter brought us our salad so I'd shut up and eat! 

We decided on half board, a good choice as there aren't too many other places in Belalp to have dinner. It probably changes in winter when all the skiers are here, but for now it's pretty quiet. The dinner menu has three courses, a salad, a main and dessert. Beware, the servings are quite large, but good. Good thing we're doing a lot of hiking while we're here!

For the quieter and more relaxing hours, or as a treat after a long hike, there is a spa area which includes a two saunas, a whirlpool, a cold tub and a wooden hot tub which is heated by a little fire under the tub. The outdoor tubs have a great view of the mountains. The spa area requires a reservation which allows you to have the area to yourself and to indulge. We were given towels and a bathrobe for the duration of our stay in the spa. We sat in the sauna, cooled ourselves off outside, where it had started to rain, dumped buckets of ice cold water over our heads (ok, my husband did that while I squealed in the cold shower) and then we headed back into the sauna for a second time and after cooling off the second time jumped in the big wooden tub filled with hot water. There we soaked while enjoying the view of the mountains and watching the cows come home to be milked. After another round of sauna, we made ourselves glasses of tea and lay down in the relaxing area, which also has a grand view and is decorated in the same style as the rest of the house, to read. We weren't quite ready to leave after relaxing so we hopped into the wooden tub again. By that time, the fog had rolled in and it was raining very hard. But that didn't bother us since we were sitting in the warm water. Right as we were about to get out, I spotted a groundhog munching on grass! So we stayed a little bit longer watching him or her eat, before some hikers came by and scared it away. A wonderfully relaxing experience.

A wonderful hotel, a relaxing place to stay and a good starting point for hikes!