Travelling with Kuoni, my wife & I have just enjoyed a unique experience in September 2004, staying at the Royal Park Hotel, Kandersteg, Switzerland. Truly a Five Star experience, this hotel with its delightful location, extensive grounds, experienced helpful staff, truly exceptional food and service, comfortable and spacious accommodation left us in no doubt that this is a top class establishment, and we would recommend it to anyone looking for that little extra touch of luxury, so absent in many other hotels. We read another review prior to departure, called "Pretty antiques do not 5 stars make". How damaging those people were with their remarks. It is obvious that they simply made the wrong choice. We wondered if they had stayed at the same place! Thank you Royal Park, we had a great time! Keep up with your traditional standards, most of us appreciate it.

Fantastic hotel more like ones own country house in the Berner Oberland. The owner and his wife are very friendly and charming people. Always met on arrival and departure. I have stayed at the Royal Park 8 times in four years that says something. A very special hotel, the smallest Leading Hotel of the World in the World, outstanding exquisite style and service. Very reasonable rates too for the personal attention you receive. Beautiful traditional swiss village and stunning mountain scenery.

My husband and I booked to stay at the Royal Park for our honeymoon. The hotel is packed with very pretty Louis XIV antiques and soft furnishings. However, it falls far below the standard that we expected from a 5* hotel, let alone one of the Leading Hotels of the World. We were in a Junior Suite which was very small, even by European standards. We were very dissapointed by the size of the bed: only just a double. My husband, at 6'3" was unable to lie in the bed and get comfortable and I found it to be very short and I am only 5'4"!! The hotel was unable to provide any rooms with a bigger bed: only offering us a bed that was two inches longer, but in a room that did not have a shower. The room was very noisey as it overlooked the train station - as do over half of their rooms. The trains began at 6.30 - 7am and the station announced their arrival with shrill bells. Further, in front of the train station is the communal pool for the whole village, this was always busy and played loud music during most of the day. For some strange reason, the hotel insisted on keeping their fountain on all night and this too was right below our window.
The 'facilities' were also poor, the outdoor pool was not filled for the duration of our stay and the indoor pool had a loose drain cover that I nearly broke my toe on! The hotel claims to offer spa facilities, but as their seem to be only one or two therapists for the whole village and other hotels, it was impossible to make an appointment at a time we wanted. Their 'jacuzzi' was no different to a standard sized whirpool bath tub.
The food was good, but very, very rich and the wine list was incredibley expensive - even by Swiss standards!
My husband and I were the only people under the age of 60 staying there - this is definitely not a younger persons hotel, nor is it a luxurious one. The only plus points were the fantasic wait staff who were polite, charming and friendly - an antidote to the owners who insisted on going around each table, asking all the patrons about their day in great length while trying to eat their meal. The Royal Park hotel is not bad, it simply isnt a 5* hotel and it is totaly missleading to think it is such. I would rate it as a pretty 3*, don't go expecting luxury!!

My wife and I stayed here in 2002 and it was amazing. The patron and his wife welcomed us at the door saying "welcome to our home". There was no check-in. We were shown straight up to our room. The food (5 course dinner every night) was great. Also the service by other staff: what temperature would you like me to heat the Roman bath/sauna/whirlpool to, Sir? Go off-peak: they have some v special rates!