Engelberg Information
Apres-ski
Don't be fooled by the midweek quiet, Engelberg attracts weekend skiers from all over Europe who party as hard as they carve. Yucatan (tel: +41 41 639 6 868; www.bellevue-terminus.ch) is the village behemoth with a basement-feel and cheesy cover bands.
The Hotel Hoheneck bar (tel: +41 416 395 700; www.hotelhoheneck.com) offers Irish music, low-slung ceilings and a drinks roulette wheel for the indecisive. It also has the best lounge in town: a chic den with areas designed as different rooms. Whisky in the bedroom, anyone?
Clubbers should seek out Spindle (tel: +41 637 12 43; www.alpenclub.ch) for dance music and stag do behaviour from 2200 'til 0200.
Eating out
You're never far from a schnitzel in Engelberg, but it's not all about the alpine appetite, and visitors will find everything from super salads to spaghetti bolognese in the village, along with those Alpine favourites: fondue and raclette.
Mexican food and monster burgers can be found at Yucatan (tel: +41 416 396 868; www.bellevue-terminus.ch), while the steaks are so big in Aplenclub (tel: +41 416 371 243; www.alpenclub.ch) they come with a bib. However, if anything, Hess (tel: +41 416 370 909; www.hess-restaurant.ch) has an even better reputation for its meat dishes, which bases its menu on local seasonal produce.
Ende der Welt (tel: +41 416 374 787; www.ende-der-welt.ch) is a little out of town, but this family-run joint serves excellent traditional food, especially during hunting season when the game is as fresh as it gets.
Resort Information
Beyond the slopes
Attractions beyond the slopes at Engelberg are almost as exciting as the happenings on them. Winter thrills include snowmobile racing, ice skating, sledging, airboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and a high rope walk, as well as snow tubing.
Plenty of camera-wielding tourists make their way to the top of Mount Titlis for photos too. Most say "cheese" next to a cardboard cut-out of the characters from Bollywood cult classic, The Brave-Hearted Will Take Away the Bride (which was filmed here), before tackling the wind-whipping cliff walk and slightly disappointing glacier cave.
Engelberg also hosts plenty of competitions, from a Ski Jumping World Cup round in December to the Snow Epic fatbike cycling race in January. There are also regular torchlit downhill runs from the top of Titlis, with the resort often attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the most torch holding skiers descending at one time.
Family fun
Young skiers may be happiest on Brunni where the Schweizer Skischule (tel: +41 416 395 454; www.skischule-engelberg.ch) can get little ones up and snow-ploughing in no time. There's plenty on offer here from T-bar lifts and magic carpets to small jumps, a slalom course and the chance to meet a furry, fair-weather mascot called Gobi.
During white outs, the Ludothek board games library (tel: +41 416 373 631) at Einwohnergemeinde becomes a treasure trove of puzzles and toys. Additionally, Hotel Edelweiss (tel: +41 416 397 878; www.edelweissengelberg.ch) and Hotel Terrace (tel: +41 416 396 666; www.terrace.ch/en) both offer childcare services for guests.
Retail therapy
Engelberg's Dorfstrasse has some decent shopping opportunities. OKAY shop (tel; +41 416 370 777; www.okay-shop.com) on Bahnhofplatz is a ski rental shop that doubles up as free-riding hangout, while NAJO (tel: +41 79 195 5581; www.najoandfriends.ch) at 6 Studentenweg stocks cool, locally-designed clothes. Foodies should seek out the Show Cheese Factory (tel: +41 416 380 888; www.schaukaeserei-engelberg.ch) at the Engelberg Monastery.
Splashing out
Stay overnight at the Trübsee Igloo Village (tel: +41 416 122 728; www.iglu-dorf.com) where, long after all the skiers have gone down the mountain, guests enjoy dinner, a snowshoe stroll under the stars, bubbly in a hot tub and fresh tea brought to their bed in the morning.
Hotels
Bar a few recent developments, Engelberg has managed to retain its Alpine allure with a host of chalet-style hotels and belle époque boltholes. Though the village is in discussions about erecting its first 5-star retreat, that still looks a long way off, even if it gets the go ahead. Until then, guests can enjoy everything from self-catering accommodation to pretty art nouveau hotels, but ski-in/ski-out locations are few and far between.
Luxury
TITLIS Resort
These generously spaced, self-catering apartments stand out like a show home. Tastefully furnished with space age mod cons, they're bright, quiet and come with access to a small but smart Alpine spa.
Address: , Alpenstrasse, Engelberg, 6390Telephone: +41 416 395 000
Website: http://www.titlisresort.ch/en
Hotel Bellevue-Terminus
Overlook this belle époque beauty at your peril. First opened in 1898, the hotel still holds a majestic air over Engelberg train station. A recent renovation has turned rooms into modern, fin-de-siècle masterpieces.
Address: , Bahnhofstrasse 10, Engelberg, 6390Telephone: +41 416 396 868
Website: http://www.bellevue-terminus.ch
Moderate
Ramada Hotel Regina
Ignore the Soviet-looking façade; Hotel Regina has all the hallmarks of a 4-star chain with large rooms, comfy beds and a relaxing wellness centre. Expect excellent service too.
Address: , Dorfstrasse 33, Engelberg, 6390Telephone: +41 416 395 858
Website: http://www.h-hotels.com
Berghaus Jochpass
One of the only ski-in/ski-out options in Engelberg, this hotel on the Jochpass slopes has a choice of three restaurants and clean, basic rooms that sleep two to 10 people.
Address: , Jochpass 2222, Engelberg, 6390Telephone: +41 416 371 187
Website: http://www.jochpass.ch
Cheap
Hotel Schweizerhof
A striking period hotel in the centre of Engelberg, the Schweizerhof offers well-sized sleeping quarters and wonderfully attentive staff. Some rooms may be a little dated, but this hotel is all about the Swiss hospitality.
Address: , Dorfstrasse 42, Engelberg, 6390Telephone: +41 416 371 105
Website: http://www.schweizerhof-engelberg.ch
Hotel Hahnenblick
With only 12 rooms, the Hotel Hahnenblick is all about the small details. It's quality and comfort above everything else, with filling homemade food in the restaurant and overwhelming views from the bedroom balconies.
Address: , Wasserfallstrasse 6, Engelberg, 6390Telephone: +41 416 371 212
Website: http://www.hahnenblick.ch
