Life in the Mountains Part 6: Claudia Züllig-Landolt at the Schweizerhof Lenzerheide
Cluadia Züllig-Landolt and her husband Andreas have called the Schweizerhof Lenzerheide home for the past 30 years. They have overseen many developments and changes at the Schweizerhof as Lenzerheide has transformed from one of the lesser known Swiss ski resorts into a world-class alpine destination for skiers in winter and mountain bikers in summer. We spoke to Claudia to find out more about this special hotel and their life in the mountains.
Claudia & Andreas have run the Schweizerhof Lenzerheide for 30 years
How long have you been General Manager of your hotel?
We celebrate this year our 30-year-jubilee.
Tell us a bit about your background and previous experience?
My husband and myself have met each other in a hotel in Geneva and after working some years with Swissôtel in Zurich and in hotels in Zurich, we have decided to move to Lenzerheide, where we are since 1990/1991.
What has been your favourite moment working at the hotel?
All our 30 years were a HIGHLIGHT. We had the chance to invest more than 45 Million Swiss Franc in our hotel and we enjoy having such a wonderful hotel today. But what we are really enjoying the most is to be the host of our wonderful guests and we are very happy to have a wonderful team which goes along with us since many years.
A very snowy Schweizerhof Lenzerheide
What do you love about working in the mountains?
We just enjoy being in this wonderful nature. Every season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) has the science attractions. Especially the light in the mountains is just wonderful and amazing and makes us smile every day.
Where is your favourite place to ski?
Since many years we do not ski any more, since there are many people on the pistes. We are enjoying very much cross-country-skiing. The most I like is a short tour from the hotel (in the middle of the town) to Lenz and back. It is just a short trip of one hour, but the nature is wonderful and after being out in nature for an hour, we are ready for the rest of the day!
What influences have you brought to the hotel?
The wonderful nature and the spirit of the mountains.
Schweizerhof Lenzerheide Bar Restaurant
What changes has the industry seen in your resort?
A lot of changes (technology etc.), but what has not changed and is still the same is the hospitality and the guest friendship, what we enjoy the most!
In your eyes what makes your resort a special destination?
Our resort destination has no standout highlight like the Matterhorn in Zermatt, but Lenzerheide has a very nice population, which are working together very good and our destination offers almost 365 days wonderful attractions to all different guests (families, bikers, skiers, hikers etc.).
What experience do you want to give your guests when they stay at your hotel?
The visit of our hamam is a MUST. Our hamam was built by Max Dudler – a wonderful Swiss architect. Our hamam has a wonderful and very special design. I also a recommend to visit our restaurant terroir (16 Gault Millau points), with its wonderful philosophy. We also have our own acre and our own animals.
Schweizerhof Lenzerheide Hamam
What new developments are there to the hotel and service this year?
As of the crisis, we have stopped the renovation of our 32 bathrooms, but we have done many investments in our hotel during the last year. We celebrate this year our 30-year-jubilee with a lot of attractions, which we want to keep still as a secret…!
Where do you like to spend your holidays?
All our services in our hotel are in a way, my husband and myself would enjoy as a guest ourselves. If we have some holidays, we are enjoying some days in the Waldhaus in Sils or at Schloss Elmau.
Which is your favourite room in the hotel?
The Hamam, the Alpenchic-Suite and our library.
What is your favourite dish on the menu in the hotel?
The hay soup in our restaurant Terroir Scalottas.
