Rath checks in: Three Swiss hotels for your own bucket list

Today, I'd like to once again introduce you to three Swiss hotels that have received the "Editor's Choice" award. The Hotel Alpenland Lauenen, the Bergwelt Grindelwald, and the Dorfhus Gupf each prove that even smaller hotels can offer their guests great experiences.

Incidentally, the preselection for the "Editor's Choice" category of the "101 Best" ranking is the responsibility of an extremely illustrious quintet of experts. This includes Christoph Ammann from the "Sonntags-Zeitung," one of Switzerland's best (travel) journalists. Tanja Wegmann, herself a hotelier and now Head of Hospitality at the French luxury brand Lalique, is also part of the panel. Julia Faulhaber, who works as a marketing professional for various luxury hotels, is also part of the panel. PR expert Vanessa Bay, who has an excellent network in Switzerland and a keen sense for industry topics, completes the "Editor's Choice" team. Experienced journalist Michael Raschke, who has accompanied our ranking as a journalist and curator since its inception.

Hotel Alpenland: at the foot of the Lauener mountain range

The Chalet-Hotel Alpenland in Lauenen near Gstaad recently underwent a change of management: After seven years, Michael Ming and Sonja Gübeli handed over the management to Sandra Smith-Scheuner on April 1. After professional stints in Australia and Asia, she is returning, so to speak, to her roots in the Bernese Oberland. Smith-Scheuner has found a true gem, as the hotel has been gradually renovated over the past few years and now presents itself as a magnificent three-star superior hotel.

The Alpine country belongs to the family of former Swiss Federal Councilor Johannes Schneider-Ammann. Smart and consistent investments have transformed the hotel into a small, exquisite hideaway where gourmets, connoisseurs, and nature lovers are equally welcome. The setting alone is breathtaking: The hotel is located directly at the foot of the magnificent Lauen mountain range, and I only have to walk a few steps to breathe the air of the Bernese Alps. Each of the 24 rooms also has its own balcony.

Wood and fine fabrics dominate the interior, creating a pleasantly intimate atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the hotel's service culture. Former managing director Michael Ming described this in one of our conversations: "There's nothing more wonderful than reuniting and reminiscing about shared experiences and coming home as a guest in a hotel." I wholeheartedly agree with him.

One of my highlights in the Alpine region is the restaurant of the same name, with its 14 Gault&Millau points. Here, they serve magnificent menus composed of regional and seasonal produce, refined with touches of flavors from around the world. The enchanting "Fondue Huettli" serves cheese fondue, raclette, and fondue chinoise. With this refreshment, the 45-minute hike to Lake Lauenensee, which, along with the surrounding moorland, has been a nature reserve for decades, is easily manageable. A place of power, even celebrated in song, you should also head to if you're staying overnight. It's worth it.

Grindelwald Mountains: Design down to the smallest corner

Opening a hotel while a pandemic rages takes courage. And it requires experience. This is precisely the step taken by the Kull family's Swiss real estate developer HRS, whose projects include the "Kameha Grand" in Zurich. The reward for so much trust and expertise: The "Alpine Design Resort Bergwelt Grindelwald," a first-class four-star hotel in the Bernese Oberland, was recently honored as "Discovery of the Year" at the "101 Best Hotels in Switzerland" awards ceremony.

In addition to the regular "Rath Checks In" columns, Capital is publishing the anthology "The 101 Best Hotels: Germany 2025" in collaboration with hotel expert and editor of " 101 Best ," Carsten K. Rath. The book can be ordered by email at [email protected] or online at www.die-101-besten.de/buchband .

What immediately strikes me is that every square centimeter of the hotel is perfectly utilized, without losing its airy feel. The resort's name says it all, and the Grindelwald mountain world captivates with its sophisticated design. The entire spatial concept—from the lobby and the "Seven Spirits Bar" to the hallways and rooms—is meticulously thought out down to the smallest detail. This environment, which is unusually modern for a mountain hotel, was created in collaboration with Zurich architect Tasso Kalfopoulos. It's a truly alternative to the interiors of more traditional hotels in Grindelwald.

View of the Eiger North Face

The house is set back slightly, about 100 meters uphill. This has two advantages: As a guest, I'm not surrounded by the crowds of tourists, but I still enjoy a direct view of the Eiger North Face. This classic mountaineering landmark alone attracts a large number of visitors, especially from the USA and Japan.

For me, a visit to Grindelwald is a kind of "back to my roots," because it was here, as a child, that I first stood on two skis and learned to ski. What I remember from that time is the magnificent natural surroundings of the Bernese Oberland, which the hotel skillfully incorporates. It offers 90 rooms and suites as well as two residences. An additional seven rooms are located, as an exciting addition, in the more than 150-year-old "Pinte" just below the main building. It is a picturesque, very charming relic from another era. My room is cozy and elegant, decorated in warm earth tones, has a ceiling with wooden beams, voluminous textiles, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel is a "Swiss Design Hotel," an award that certifies high design standards, quality, and a close connection to Swiss culture. That's fitting.

Another highlight is the restaurant "BG's Grill," where Urs Gschwend and his team serve Alpine soul food featuring venison, truffles, and Swiss cheese. Their cuisine recently received an impressive 15 points in the Gault-Millau, making it highly recommended!

Dorfhus Gupf: 16 exquisite rooms

Opening in mid-July 2020, the "Hotel & Restaurant Dorfhus Gupf" is only one year older than the Grindelwald mountains. But its history stretches back further. It began when Emil "Migg" Eberle purchased a property with an attached farm in Rehetobel in the late 1980s, laying the foundation for the "Gupf" brand. In 1989, Eberle opened the "Gasthaus zum Gupf," where he often manned the grill himself and helped out with service. The exceptional chef Daniel Humm held his first position as chef de cuisine here around the turn of the millennium, and during his time, the Gupf was awarded a Michelin star. For those who don't know, today Humm is the head chef and co-owner of the three-star restaurant "Eleven Madison Park" in New York, the highest-ranked restaurant in the USA.

Emil Eberle has taken advantage of many opportunities to expand his "Gupf" brand. Most recently, in 2018, he purchased a building in the center of Rehetobel, where he and his wife Sila Zinsli opened this intimate three-star boutique hotel two years later. It features Switzerland's first "Magnothek" wine cellar, with over 1,100 wines, 600 of which are magnums and large bottles.

The 16 boutique rooms and four suites exude an Alpine feel-good atmosphere. A great idea: a partnership with the Appenzell spa, just five minutes from the hotel. The hotel's own restaurant seats almost 50, and chef Sven Vogelsanger impresses with creative grilled specialties that undeniably reflect French and Mediterranean influences. An additional 25 seats are available in "Migg's Ofastuba," a separate bar and smoking area.

You see, whenever you're drawn to this unique region, one or all three of these excellent, characterful hotels should definitely be on your list. I wish you a great time!

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