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The GoldenPass Express connecting Lucerne and Interlaken is a stress-free, vista-rich way to journey between destinations. Source: Simon + Kim for Zentralbahn AG American families with young children often default to North American resorts based on a desire for convenience and kid-friendly amenities. There comes a time, though, when long-haul curious parents feel compelled to go further afield, young kids and all. While many North American brands put their family-friendliness front and center, some European luxury groups, such as Michel Reybier Hospitality, offer equally robust kids’ programming quietly woven into a five-star stay rich with heritage and wellness. Combined with Switzerland’s famously easy-to-use rail network, two Swiss Michel Reybier properties in particular, Interlaken’s Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa and Geneva’s La Réserve Genève, make a compelling choice for a first family long-haul. In easy-to-access Interlaken, Victoria Jungfrau is a five-star, family-friendly base to access all of the Jungfrau Region Source: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa MORE FOR YOU Victoria-Jungfrau, Interlaken’s Grand Dame Housed in a 19th-century landmark, the Victoria-Jungfrau has been receiving families for over 150 years. Original architectural elements appear throughout public spaces, while the property’s programming, such as a spa partnership with Swiss brand Nescens, looks to the future. Elements like original 19th-century wood flooring and ceiling frescos do not preclude family comfort: children’s menus are offered in every onsite restaurant and staff accommodate family preferences to dine at a quicker pace. The lobby-adjacent Victoria Bar features a nightly pianist and classic cocktails for parents alongside snacks and children’s options. Designed to accommodate a near limitless range of children's interests, the Bienehuus kids club's main play space is just one dedicated space among many across three stories of art, music, pretend play, reading and relaxation. Source: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa The true hero for families at Victoria-Jungfrau is a recently renovated, three-story children’s club called the Bienehuus. Housed in a historic building, the space is just over 3,000 square feet and every square inch is dedicated to educational play and creativity. Spaces include a music room with full-size keyboard, guitars and drums, among other instruments. A dedicated art room has multiple spaces and stations to create with a variety of different mediums. A large main playspace is filled with opportunities for pretend play: wooden houses, wooden kitchens, dolls and everything they might need, stepping-stone blocks. For kids looking for a cozy corner, a reading room is filled, floor-to-ceiling with books in multiple languages. A separate relaxation room contains bean bags and couches. Access to the kids club is complimentary, with daily supervision at no charge to guests. Parents are welcome to drop children off at the kids club from the age of 3 with no reservation required, though reviewing the day’s schedule is advised to ensure kids don’t miss a programming favorite, whether it’s pizza-making or face-painting. A full alpine playground made of wood and rope sits outside of the Bienehuus, open year-round. Beyond the hotel grounds, Swiss ease keeps logistics seamless. The main train station in Interlaken, Interlaken Ost, is a 10-15 minute walk from the property. Families equipped with the Jungfrau Rail Pass receive unlimited access to the Jungfrau region’s many adventures. For younger children, the funicular to Harder Kulm is an adventure on its own, as is the alpine playground at the summit. Older children might prefer taking the train to Grindelwald and then the Eiger Express cable car to to the famed Jungfraujoch. Upon returning from a morning of outdoor adventuring, Victoria-Jungfrau’s indoor pool has a daily ‘splash hour’ for children during which a variety of pool toys are brought out and children don’t have to worry about indoor voices. At checkout, with 24 hours notice, the property offers complimentary transfers to and from the Interlaken Ost train station, another tick in the ‘convenience’ box and an easy way to journey to the next destination. La Reserve has its own dock and boat for shutting guests into Geneva's city-center. Source: La Reserve Geneve La Réserve, Genève, City access and green space Often a top choice for a soft landing en route to classic Alpine winter destinations Chamonix and Megève, La Réserve, Genève is a destination on its own for families seeking city-access without a traditional city hotel. Minutes from downtown via taxi or local train, the property offers rare ground-level Garden suites that open directly to an expansive lawn, part of the property’s sprawling 10-acre estate and ideal for children with energy to burn. Available to all guests from April through September, the private boat shuttle turns a city transfer into an adventure for kids. Source: La Reserve Geneve During the summer season, from April through September, a private boat shuttle brings guests right from the hotel’s own dock into the city, turning even a five-kilometer commute into an adventure. Children’s amenities abound, and include an in-room teepee setup standard for all kids up to age 12, as well as children’s robes and slippers. Families receive dedicated access to the indoor pool within Spa Nescens from 2-4pm. La Petite Réserve, the property’s kids’ club, is steps away from spa reception, making it easy for a parent to drop-off before checking in for a futuristic spa treatment, such as a 90-minute Better Aging facial that begins with a luxurious Better Aging Body Ritual back massage before the futuristic facial which includes hyaluronic acid is applied to the face via micro-needles. In-room amenities for children are standard for all families traveling with children 12 years and under. Source: La Reserve Geneve La Reserve’s focus on wellness and creating a family-friendly ecosystem extends to seamless SUV airport transfers with car-seats, an English-fluent concierge, early-by-European standards dinner reservations (plus kids’ menus even at the one Michelin-starred Le Tsé Fung) and early check-in where possible. On-property programming aims to give children as enriching experiences as possible, with classes ranging from sushi making to yoga. Combining a lake and mountain adventure is made seamless by Switzerland’s famously reliable rail system. The Swiss Travel Pass covers nearly all national rail services, including panoramic routes such as the Luzern-Interlaken Express and the GoldenPass line that connects Interlaken with Montreux, making a journey between the two destinations straightforward. A Swiss Family Card is a children’s train pass that can be added to a parent’s Swiss Travel Pass at no charge for children under six. Space for luggage on each train car and well-staffed train stations means any question gets answered promptly and parents can navigate stress-free. Once in the Jungfrau region, the Jungfrau Travel Pass makes bucket-list worthy daytrips (think funiculars, gondolas, cogwheel trains to some of the world’s most stunning vistas) easy. Like with the Swiss Travel Pass, a complimentary pass for children up to six years old is available for those accompanying a parent with a Jungfrau Travel Pass. From ages six to 15, children can receive a discounted Jungfrau Travel Pass. For American parents curious to see what adding a few extra hours of flight time can mean for a family vacation, pairing Interlaken and Geneva for alpine playgrounds, lake shuttles, top-tier spa and stress-free travel days makes for worthy consideration for the next school break. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
