Having been to Bern before we decided to stay away from the train station for a change and so a short tram ride got us to the quiet neighbourhood of the Hotel Jardin. You can only use Swiis coins in the ticket machines and the hotel is in the first fare zone and from the stop it is only a short walk. Check in is pleasant and the chap will assist you with local info. The rooms are clean, nothing real fancy but spacious enough for two and the local area is pleasant. Breakfast just average and the ladies serving quite nice. Their onsite restaurant was too stuffy and smoky for us so we went down the street and found a great Italian place. I think that overall this hotel might be best if you are driving but don't let the tram ride put you off as it is very easy. We based ourselves in Bern as I wanted to explore certain areas in this part of Switzerland and so after spending the first day settling and walking around Bern we gathered our day packs next morning and set off to explore. Our Swiss friends have for some time been insisting we visit Neuchatel and Murten so we hopped on the train and had a glorious day tramping around the Neuchatel city and lakeshore. Next we backtracked to the medieval town of Murten and we found it to be just an amazing and beautifully preserved place. We then caught a regio train for the short hop to the Roman town of Avenches where we spent the rest of a sunny afternoon wandering through all the old Roman ruins. This town is a must see if you are in the area. We retreated back to Bern, rested up and got back on the train next day to Montreaux and spent several hours inside the Castle of Chillon. This is another must see and there is lots more all within a short distance from Bern. We spent three nights in the Hotel Jardin and it was not enough as you need a week at least to get the feel of this beautiful city and area. If you are really moving fast you might want to stay near the train station though. But then, why would you want to move fast? On to Strasbourg, France..........................................