Francis Flat, Lauterbrunnen Holiday Apartment Review

‘Francis Flat’ is an apartment on the top floor of a large chalet in Lauterbrunnen. It’s a private holiday rental operated by the owner Helena, sleeping up to 6 people, located in what has to be the best position in the whole of Lauterbrunnen.

*** UPDATE: Unfortunately the owner sold the property a couple of years after this post, so it is no longer available. ***

– Breakfast on the balcony as the sun rises over the mountains. Incredible! – 

We found the property on Homeaway and right from the first enquiry email the experience dealing with the owner was great.

She responded quickly to our questions and all communication was perfect and very reassuring throughout.

Prior to the holiday she was in touch with comprehensive instructions, directions and so on – and arranged to meet us at whatever time we were likely to arrive.

The property is located on the edge of Lauterbrunnen, just far enough out of the town centre to be quiet and peaceful but close enough to be within easy reach (and with a bus stop conveniently just at the end of the drive).

– Lauterbrunnen town, just a few minutes away from the apartment – 

If you had a completely free choice of anywhere in the whole of Lauterbrunnen to situate a holiday property, we felt that this is precisely the location you’d pick. Open the front door and you are basically at the foot of the incredible Staubbach waterfall, which feels like it’s virtually within touching distance.

Out the back, from the balcony, you have clear, uninterrupted views of one of the most beautiful mountain valleys anywhere in the world.

– Extremely comfortable beds throughout – 

There are several other apartments in the chalet – this one being on the top floor. During our week there in July, we barely saw or heard anyone else in the block and despite being a communal building, the apartment felt very private and peaceful. There are several other similar chalets on this development but we didn’t see many other residents at all.

When we arrived, we instantly knew we’d made the right decision on this property. There’s a very high quality feel to the apartment – all the furnishings felt like new, everything was pristine clean and it was unbelievably well equipped. Absolutely everything we needed, for a family of six, was here.

Helena (the owner) turned up shortly after we’d arrived and settled in. She was full of advice and information about places to go, where to eat and what to do. I believe she lives locally and made clear she was on hand if we needed her for anything.

– Amazingly well-equipped, modern and clean kitchen – 

There are two double bedrooms plus a mezzanine floor area with a sofa bed – and a lounge with a sofa you can sleep on if necessary. All six of us were comfortable and felt we had plenty of space between us.

The best feature of the property is undoubtedly the views. Double doors open out on to a spacious balcony with seating and a table and chairs, with a view that it was impossible to stop looking at.

– Emma was fascinated by this huge world map on the wall – 

The balcony is covered, so even when we had some rainy evenings and afternoons, we could sit out with a cup of tea watching the thunderstorms come down the valley. In the mornings we sat out eating breakfast watching the sun rising over the mountains.

A couple of evenings at night-time, the Staubbach waterfalls were illuminated with multi-coloured floodlights making for an even greater spectacle.

– Lounge area. If you’re spending much time sat in watching TV in a place like this you’re doing something seriously wrong! – 

Right next door to the chalet, just the other side of a bridge crossing a mountain stream, is the Lauterbrunnen campsite. This was really convenient because the campsite has a well-stocked shop with bread and other food basics as well as a popular restaurant, both within 5-minutes’ walk from the front door.

There’s a real luxury, quality feel to ‘Francis Flat’ and we rated it one of, if not the best holiday accommodation we’ve ever stayed in. A really impressive apartment for groups or families in an absolutely memorable location – 10 out of 10!

• We found this property here, on the Homeaway website