History
A place where tradition lives on and history becomes tangible.
Building history of the Schweizerhof
In 1904, the first Hotel Schweizerhof was built with around 60 beds at Voa Principala 39. As early as 1913, the bed capacity was doubled with a new building in the Heimatstil style, which was connected to the main building by a single-storey lobby.
Towards the end of the 1920s, the tourism boom slowly picked up again and the next extension was approved in 1927 under the hotel building ban. In 1928, the main building was extended and given a new flat roof. The new dining room was added at the rear. In 1929, the room extension on the street side was built with the spectacular ballroom at the rear ending in a curve - known as the Rotonde. The attic was extended in 1930. These alterations increased the total capacity of the hotel to 200 beds. Painted pink, the Schweizerhof stood as a witness to modernity until the demolition of the main building and the Rotonde in 1977. The loss of the banqueting hall with its well-proportioned height and terraces was particularly painful, as there was no comparable venue for special occasions in Lenzerheide.
History of the Hotel Schweizerhof Lenzerheide
The history of the Hotel Schweizerhof is closely linked to the development of the spa and holiday resort of Lenzerheide-Valbella and reflects over 120 years of tourism and contemporary history. In 1902, Johann Schmid from Sils and Thusis acquired a plot of land in the centre of Lenzerheide and began building the hotel. The Schweizerhof opened in 1904 with 60 beds, modern facilities and excellent cuisine. The hotel helped to establish Lenzerheide as a year-round holiday resort, particularly due to the emergence of winter sports. After just two years, however, Schmid had to file for bankruptcy and Franz Brenn from Stierva took over the hotel.
Foundation and early years (1902-1906)
In 1902, Johann Schmid from Sils and Thusis acquired a plot of land in the centre of Lenzerheide and began building the hotel. The Schweizerhof opened in 1904 with 60 beds, modern facilities and excellent cuisine. The hotel helped to establish Lenzerheide as a year-round holiday resort, particularly due to the emergence of winter sports. After just two years, however, Schmid had to file for bankruptcy and Franz Brenn from Stierva took over the hotel in 1906.
Rise under Franz Brenn (1906-1942)
Brenn, an experienced hotelier, ran the business with skill and a spirit of innovation. He built his own farm to ensure supplies and cultivated close relationships with the guests. In 1913, he extended the hotel with an Art Nouveau-style annexe with additional rooms, function rooms and the popular Bündnerstube. Despite difficult times during the First World War, when interned soldiers were accommodated, the business continued to operate.
Brenn modernised the hotel several times in the 1920s and 1930s: the construction of the Rotonde (1929) turned the Schweizerhof into a social hub with balls, concerts and parties. By 1930, the hotel could already accommodate 200 guests and was considered one of the best hotels in Graubünden.
Time of the world wars and post-war years (1942-1970)
After Brenn's death in 1942, his daughter Emma Brenn and her husband Georges Decurtins continued to run the hotel. During the Second World War, it once again served as accommodation for officers. After the end of the war, the Schweizerhof experienced a heyday: the Rotonde became the venue for glamorous parties and international guests - including celebrities such as Prince Rainer of Monaco and Mary Churchill - stayed at the hotel. Decurtins was also a co-initiator of the Lenzerheide golf course (1951) and made a significant contribution to the development of tourism. Renovations followed in the 1960s: The dependance was modernised and extended with an indoor swimming pool.
Crisis and upheaval (1970-1990)
After the death of Georges Decurtins in 1971, his son Beat Decurtins took over the management. Economic problems, the decline of the traditional hotel business and the loss of many regular guests led to its decline. In 1977, the main building and the Rotonde were demolished and replaced by an aparthotel. The project, under the management of Hans Kindler, was characterised by miscalculations, legal disputes and several bankruptcies. In the 1980s, fraud scandals and frequent changes of ownership followed, which severely damaged the reputation of the hotel.
New beginning and present (from 1991)
When Andreas and Claudia Züllig took over, a phase of consolidation began. They renovated the annexe (1995), expanded the facilities to include wellness, family and seminar areas and brought the hotel to new heights. Today, the Schweizerhof is one of the leading four-star hotels in Graubünden with around 180 beds, 34,000 overnight stays per year and an average of 100 employees.
Meaning
The Schweizerhof exemplifies the development of the Alpine hotel industry - from the pioneering days through the war years and modernisation to today's awareness of quality and sustainability. Its history shows how innovation, adaptability and personal management have ensured the success of a traditional hotel over generations.