Trauffer Hotel: Trauffer Erlebniswelt and Trauffer Bretterhotel

Mitbegründerin von Hike&Dine

Solène Stucker

Our visit to the Trauffer Erlebeniswelt (World of Experience) and the Trauffer Bretterhotel

We visited the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience), the Trauffer Bretterhotel as well as Alfred’s Restaurant on a Sunday. The imposing wooden building of the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience) can be seen from afar. The facade of the building consists of long wooden beams. It looks like they have been piled on top of each other. The wooden bars or beams surround the building, the color of which was kept in black. A large logo with the name “Trauffer Switzerland” adorns the facade.

We were greeted by an oversized Trauffer wooden cow with red spots and a cowbell around its neck. The cow is standing in front of the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience) and it seems as if she is looking across the road to the pasture where her fellow flesh and blood animals are grazing.

Trauffer Erlebniswelt (World of Experience): History, Tradition and Swiss Craftsmanship

First, we pay a visit to the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience). Inside the building we go to the second floor. There, the rotary wheel takes you to the Trauffer world of experience. In the first room we learn about the history of the company Trauffer Holzspielwaren. Various “Vogelhüsli” are waiting to be opened. In it you can find answers to questions like “who actually founded the Trauffer company” [answer: Alfred Trauffer founded it in 1938 together with his wife Rosa] or “who is actually the inventor of the Trauffer wooden cow” [answer: it was Alfred Trauffer]. Visitors learn more about the Swiss family business in a playful way. More about this in the box “history of the Trauffer family business” at the end of the article.

Trauffer Erlebeniswelt: Carve and paint yourself a Trauffer wooden cow

The next room is about handicrafts, more precisely about the creation of a Trauffer wooden cow. Before our eyes, a block of wood is transformed into a ready-made Trauffer wooden cow.

Now that we’ve seen how this works in theory, you can get hands-on in the next room. There, you can carve your own Trauffer wooden cow. Besides the carving knife, there are also “Pflästerli” in case you slip while carving the wooden cow. Once the carving is complete, you can paint your very own Trauffer wooden cow in the next room.

Unfortunately, we did not have time for this during our visit, but we will make up for it during our next visit to the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience). Both offers can be booked together or separately and cost 15.- (painting) resp. 35.- (carving). Children must be at least 12 years old; groups can reserve the carving bench entirely for themselves.

A look behind the scenes of the Alpentainer in the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience)

Until the self-painted Trauffer wooden cow is dry, visitors can take a tour through the world of the “Alpentainer”. Through a red door, we dived into the fascinating world of the Alpentainer: Pictures of concerts adorned the walls; gold, platinum and double platinum sparkled at us; awards, record covers and Trauffer’s favorite guitar were on display. Fascinated, we stopped in front of a TV showing clips from the Trauffer and Gölä concert at Letzigrund in Zurich. It’s amazing what this man has achieved.

In the Kuhniverse of the Trauffer World of Experience (world of experience)

But the best came at the end! Before you leave the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience), you stand in a hallway of mirrors full of different colored Trauffer wooden cows. Beautifully lined up here in the “kuhniverse” the cow (German: Kuh) team is reflected into infinity. Time for some photos and dancing [viewable on our Instagram channel here].

Conclusion of our visit to the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience)

We enjoyed our visit to the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience) very much. It is made with a lot of attention to detail. In a playful way, you learn a lot about the family business Trauffer Switzerland, the Trauffer toys and the Alpentainer Marc A. Trauffer himself. We thought it was great that you can carve and paint a Trauffer wooden cow.

Trauffer Hotel: Pure relaxation in the Bretterhotel

After the hike on the Axalp and the visit of the world of experience, we were pretty tired for the time being. Before we went to dinner, we wanted to relax a bit. We entered the Trauffer Bretterhotel and checked into our room.

The interior of the room matches the overall look of the Trauffer Bretterhotel: wooden elements alternate with black elements. To Matthias’ delight, there was a sauna in the room, which he also heated up right away. We really liked the modern rooms; we even caught a glimpse of the sunset through the beams of the Trauffer Bretterhotel. Time for dinner!

Food at Alfred’s Restaurant

At Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience) in Hofstetten, there is Alfred’s Restaurant and Rosas’s Bakery & Bistro. The second offers small dishes and baked goods (including homemade bread). We ate at Alfred’s Restaurant. It is located on the second floor of the main building of the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience). At our table, we took a look at the menu.

Swiss cuisine and good meat at Alfred’s restaurant

The menu is traditional Swiss cuisine. The names of the dishes were adapted to the Trauffer world. For example, there is a “Müeh mit de Chüeh” veggie burger or a hearty “Büetzer burger”, which Solène ordered right away. Matthias was almost tempted by the seasonal fall menu, but ended up opting for a good cut of local meat that had been stored in the Dry Ager between 30 to 60 days. Meat fans take note: The charcoal grill is in operation from Tuesday to Saturday.

“Dry Aged” meat from the region in Alfred’s Restaurant

As an appetizer, Matthias ate a nut salad with egg and bacon. Solène was so hungry that she ordered a bread salad with sundried tomatoes and a burrata. Portions are generous – plan your courses well.

We enjoyed the traditional cuisine of Alfred’s Restaurant. The meat was perfectly prepared and strong in flavor. Matthias usually eats meat without sauces, but he couldn’t resist the Bérnaise sauce. He also liked the celery and potato stick, which was finished with truffle. Solène was convinced by the Büetzerburger – which disappeared in no time.

We had no more room for the desserts. However, we saw what the other guests were served – and it looked delicious.

Friendly service and relaxed ambience at Trauffer in Alfred’s Restaurant

What struck us extremely positively is the courteous and friendly staff. Uncomplicated, we were picked up from the beginning. Proactively, we were asked if we needed anything else. The gastro-team did a really great job, one feels at home right away. In addition, we liked the interior.

The tables are made of wood, the boards stretch along the walls. Benches and chairs are in black. For sunny days there is a terrace. Somewhere, a fire was burning in a fireplace. It is extremely cozy and uncomplicated here. The restaurant works for families as well as for couples. If you prefer less people, you can sign up for the second service.

Oh yes: Since the Trauffer Hotel also offers seminar rooms, there is a table for groups. In another part of Alfred’s restaurant, there is a long wooden table. At the bottom of the table are three refrigerators: the Dry Ager, where the meat is stored. A wine fridge with good drops. And – to Matthias’ delight – a fridge full of cheese!

Trauffer Hotel: Delicious breakfast at Alfred’s Restaurant

Hotel guests have their breakfast in Alfred’s Restaurant. Everything that belongs to a good breakfast buffet is there. At the entrance to the restaurant, a poster wished us a good “Mührgen”(Good muhorning). Since we had to leave early, we were already there at 07:30. Whether cheese, eggs or bread – the products come from the surrounding area. Solène especially liked the Birchermüesli.

Trauffer Hotel und Trauffer Erlebniswelt: Unkompliziert und bodenständig

We really enjoyed the Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience), the Trauffer Hotell, and also Alfred’s Restaurant by Trauffer. We can imagine how families spend their vacations here: While the children carve their Trauffer wooden cows, the parents have fun eating in the restaurant or relax in the sauna in the room. The Trauffer Erlebniswelt (world of experience) thus offers plenty of variety for all age groups.

For couples who want to spend a relaxing weekend near Lake Brienz, we can highly recommend the Trauffer Bretterhotel. Within walking distance is the open-air museum Ballenberg, Alfred’s Restaurant offers very good food, and in the surrounding area you can do many beautiful hikes. Couples beware: just do not choose the rooms with slide when booking ;).

Trauffer’s Hike-Tipp

Trauffer’s Hike Tip: Hike on the Schnitzler Trail from Axalp to Hinterburgseeli

Great honor for Hike&Dine: Trauffer himself went hiking with us: “The Schnitzlerweg is my favorite hike. Here you can see all the splendor of the Bernese Oberland. There are traditional wood carvings to see on this hike. They are human and animal figures carved from tree stumps.”

Lest mehr über die Wanderung mit Trauffer Auf dem schnitzlerweg

How to get there

* Note: Hike&Dine was offered the food and accommodation.