Passempfehlung would be the local authority's approval or recommendation she would need for the issuance of a passport which would be issued by the Swiss Federation, not the local authorities. She probably did this before going to the UK.
Basically I think you have all the information you need to complete your search. I would list it all out and put it in a logical order, then decide on the most likely avenues to pursue.
Hotel Kreuz
Zeughausgasse 41
3011 Bern
Postfach
3000 Bern 7
Telefon: 031 329 95 95
Fax: 031 329 95 96
E-Mail: *
info@kreuzbern.ch
Website:
http://www.kreuzbern.ch/en.html
Hotel Bristol
Imboden B. und H.
Schauplatzgasse 10
3011 Bern
Telefon: 031 311 01 01
Fax: * 031 311 94 79
E-Mail: *
reception@bristolbern.ch
Website:
http://www.bristolbern.ch/index_en.htm