Croix de Fer : La Croix de Fer, 1669 Les Allières

Had a pleasant half-board stay at Hotel Croix de Fer in Allieres. My partner and I arrived by bike, and we could store our bikes safely in the barn opposite of the hotel, where the owner also rents out straw beds. There is a possibility to store perhaps 5 bikes there, and 1 charger plug in the wall. The hotel itself has 4 big bedrooms, a restaurant, breakfast hall, garden and terrace as well as an area out front with a single table. It’s traditionally built and offers a very pleasant rural Swiss-French experience hidden away in the hills. A regional train stops nearby, making it really easy to move between there and the whole of Switzerland. The owner of the hotel owns the land around it as well, and keeps goats for their milk, which is sometimes offered at breakfast. We enjoyed dinner, which was again quite traditional for the region but served in deliciously big portions and with a good a la carte selection. The breakfast was a little basic, but offered enough for those without any allergies or dietary preferences other than meat / dairy / sugar. I’d also like to share a few things I would immediately improve: - only French is spoken, making English communication basically impossible. Basic English understanding would have been appreciated. - the bathroom is shared between all rooms, making it crucial for the staff to keep the bathroom clean and well-stocked at all times. When we entered there were skid marks in the toilet and some mold in the shower, as well as very little soap and toilet paper. - catering for a vegetarian is possible, but I was disappointed to find that a vegan diet is not facilitated here. Especially the breakfast was very disappointing, due to the lack of plant-based milk or yoghurt. It’s 2021 and supermarkets stock these items, so it’s sensible to include some vegan items in the breakfast selection. - lastly, the service could have been friendlier. Due to the language barrier not much was possible, but little effort came across from the owner for basic things like checking out or asking questions. Nevertheless, this is a lovely place to stay and I’d recommend it to those looking for a traditionally Swiss, rural and cozy getaway.

Nice lunch break while riding up to lac du Hongrin. Very characteristic, food is top and dessert with strawberries and double cream give the boost to continue the climb! We had possibility to recharge our e-bike without any problem!

Super friendly staff, affordable rooms in authentic setting. Shared bathroom was clean and comfortable!