Walther Giazetta, Summer 2023 (engl.)

BEAUTIFUL GRAND HOTELS BELLE EPOQUE GRAND BUDAPEST CURIOSITIES

Grand Moments Grand Moments

Dear Walther Guests, Dear Readers,

The Grand Hotels hold an enormous fascination for people, especially today. They are places that seem to have fallen out of time, giving them a timeless appeal. They give us the opportunity to experience beauty, culture and history. The Hotel Walther is such a place, designed as a Grand Hotel shortly after 1900. The intention was to offer guests the opportunity to experience the fascinating Engadin mountain landscape in an ambience of luxury and grandeur. This was the era of the Belle Époque and Pontresina’s emergence as a popular holiday destination.

The wonderful Art Nouveau design elements were brought back to life when the Bel Étage of the Hotel Walther was renovated a few years ago, and we were able to establish a link with the beginnings of tourism in the Alps. It is of course easier to pretend to be old than it is to preserve and develop the genuinely old. However, preserving the substance creates something intangible, and the attention to detail awakens the spirit of these buildings. All that is genuine improves with age.

The family-run Grand Hotel thus breathes history, but at the same time we have been able to continuously develop it over the years and adapt it to the demands of our time. What remains is the fascination of our natural Alpine landscape. Then as now we enjoy the mountains, the fresh air, the peace and grandeur –an experience that keeps us grounded and gives us strength. Summer in the Engadin is still a very special experience. The Camerata plays its concerts in the Tais forest as it did over a hundred years ago, there are countless sports and leisure activities, great events, the southern mountain climate, our varied cuisine and the grandiose atmosphere of our charming Grand Hotel.

In this edition of the Giazetta, we take you on a journey back to the Belle Époque, to the beginnings of tourism in Pontresina, to the early years of the Hotel Walther, and we invite you to enjoy the timeless, carefree Engadin summer here at over 1,800 metres above sea level.

A warm-hearted welcome

Anne-Rose & Thomas Walther and the friendly Walther team

in Brief

GOLF UNLIMITED

This Walther package gives you unlimited access to the two Engadin golf courses in Samedan and Zuoz-Madulain. You can play golf as often as you like during your stay, and you also get our attractive benefits in the hotel. The package can be booked for 2 nights or more, from CHF 645 per person including breakfast. Valid throughout the summer season. Longer is better as the green fee is included for all additional nights!

hotelwalther.ch

RETHINK DESTINATION

Pontresina Art Paths presents contemporary art in public spaces. The 2023 exhibition, with 16 works from all Swiss language regions, aims to reflect on the destination and of travelling in a mobile society and looks at global developments. It is an invitation to pause and reflect on the direction of travel. The exhibits will be placed outdoors in the landscape of the Bernina region. The exhibition, entitled «Rethink Destination», is held from 24 June to 9 October 2023. cultura-pontresina.ch

The legendary spa concerts in the Tais forest first took place in 1910, with musicians from the Milan Scala. This Pontresina classic still enjoys great popularity today. Over a hundred free forest concerts are held every summer – every day at 11 a.m. if the weather is fine, and in the village church if not. The concert venue in the Taiswald can be easily reached in 15 minutes on foot from the Hotel Walther.

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CAMERATA PONTRESINA BERNINA HOSPIZ BEETLE MEETING

On the weekend of 7 to 9 July 2023, the Ospizio Bernina – at 2,330 metres above sea level the highest in Europe – will host a VW Beetle meeting. Valuable examples of this popular cute car are expected to attend. The organisers promise attractions and activities for young and old, as well as festival catering with Graubünden and Puschlav specialities. The typical rattling of the air-cooled engines will be heard on the Engadin mountain roads during these days, awakening feelings of nostalgia.

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Jos Schmid/Gaudenz Signorell «Ewigkeit» Kunstwege Pontresina, 2017

NO TOURISM WITHOUT MOUNTAINS. NO HOTEL WITHOUT TOURISM. Development of Tourism in Pontresina

Life in the mountains, especially in winter, was characterised by hunger, hardship and darkness. The mountains had something foreboding about them and the idea of scaling the eerie heights where demons and spirits hungered after human lives never occurred to anyone who lived in the Alps. As a result, it was only towards the end of the 18th century that the high mountains were conquered by wealthy French and English men, who had already explored all the continents. Although mountaineering was initially called “conquest of the useless” by the locals, it soon led to an unexpected economic boom.

THE RHAETIAN RAILWAY ARRIVES IN THE ENGADIN

In 1903, the Rhaetian Railway reached the Engadin via the Albula Tunnel. This shortened the journey from the English coastal town of Folkestone via Chur to Samedan from 38 to 26 hours. The construction of the Bernina railway was completed in 1910 connecting Pontresina to the railway network. Both lines are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The outbreak of the First World War, followed by the Great Depression, put a damper on the tourist boom. It was only after the Second World War that the Engadin slowly began to recover.

TOURISM FOUNDATIONS

THE BEGINNINGS OF TOURISM

Around 1900, Pontresina was still a sleepy mountain village. There were already a few hotels, but otherwise the population lived from agriculture and packhorse transport to the Italian Valtellina. The “Beautification Association” founded in 1872 laid out footpaths around the village so that the most beautiful viewpoints could be easily reached on foot. Pontresina’s location, close to extensive forests and magnificent glaciers soon made it a popular summer resort. During the summer, mountaineering developed thanks to ambitious climbers accompanied by local mountain guides, while in the winter guests enjoyed ice skating, skiing around Pontresina, bobsleigh and sleigh rides on the Bernina Road or skijöring.

Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity of being linked to the up-and-coming resort of St. Moritz, Pontresina was also mechanised. The construction of the chairlift and ski lift to Alp Languard in 1945 brought a connection to the high-altitude trail and to the Muottas Muragl funicular, which was built in 1907 and was the first leisure cable car in the Engadin.

· Pontresina street scene around 1900

· Last arrival of a coach in Pontresina

The Pontresina ski-jump and the Winter Olympics in St. Moritz brought a further increase in holiday guests to the resort. The authentic ski instructors, recruited from local farmers and craftsmen, were vital components of the tourist offer in Pontresina. The opening of the Diavolezza cableway in 1956 finally woke the resort from its hibernation. New offers and hotels followed, as well as the construction of the Lagalb cableway, where international ski races take place, and an increase in cross-country skiing. The rise and development of Pontresina as a winter sports destination began and has continued unabated to the present day. Thanks to the wide range of activities on offer, the summer also took off: the number of overnight stays in Pontresina in the summer is about the same as in the winter.

· Voting campaign against cars on Graubünden roads

· Bobsleighing on the Bernina Pass, circa 1920

· Skiers on the piste near Pontresina

· Construction of the Bernina Railway, linking Pontresina to the RhB network, circa 1910

· Opening of the Diavolezza aerial cableway in 1956 – A big leap forward for Pontresina

THE FASCINATION OF THE GRAND HOTELS

The fascination of a Grand Hotel is that it is not only a luxurious building, but also a symbol of a bygone age of travel and hospitality. Grand Hotels often have a rich history and are magnificently furnished, with artistic architecture and opulent interiors. They offer a unique atmosphere that makes guests feel as if they have been transported to another time and another world. They are wonderful places that are out of time and thus have no end.

The Walther (then Palace) and Steinbock hotels in an early drawing

There are no internationally agreed criteria for what constitutes a Grand Hotel. The term encompasses both size and luxury. They are considered to be very well appointed hotels that meet higher structural, architectural and culinary standards and are distinguished from simple standard hotels by their exclusivity.

THE ORIGINS OF GRAND HOTELS

The first Grand Hotel was probably the one opened under that name in 1774 in Covent Garden, London. The Tremont House in Boston (1829), with 170 rooms and a dining room serving French cuisine, is considered the first five-star luxury hotel. In the 19th century, a Grand Hotel was a building with a higher level of comfort, such as running water and telephones, and a room design based on European palace architecture with appropriate furnishings. It was aimed at an educated clientele. Classification by number of stars did not yet exist.

A considerable number of Grand Hotels were built during the Belle Époque in other places where the wealthy of society gathered. They were located in health resorts (for example, seaside spas, climatic resorts) and often in attractive locations in the countryside (Alpine passes, lake shores, coastlines). This development was further encouraged by the development of railways.

THE HOTEL WALTHER AS PALACE

Most of the Engadin Grand Hotels were built during this period. The Hotel Walther was also conceived as a Grand Hotel from the outset. The striking tower, the high windows, the columns with their round arches and the planned park are all evidence of this. The name 'Palace', which the hotel continued to use until the 1960s and which was popular at the time, supports this assessment. The style of the Pontresina Hotel Palace was a mixture of traditional and Art Nouveau. This was most evident in the interior, with its typical lighting, furniture and paintings. Following the completion of the renovation of the ground floor in 2017, the decorative elements of the Belle Époque can be seen again, and together with the contemporary furniture they form a fresh and bold blend of styles.

ART NOUVEAU IN THE GRAND HOTEL

Art Nouveau was very important for Grand Hotels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It influenced the architecture of the grand buildings as well as the interior decoration, furniture design, lamps, soft furnishings and other items. Its decorative style was associated with luxury and elegance and was therefore a perfect match for the glamorous Grand Hotels of the time. The Grand Hotels provided a suitable stage for the latest trends in art and design, and helped to spread Art Nouveau by hiring famous artists and craftsmen to design their interiors.

NOSTALGIA FOR A PAST AGE OF TRAVEL

In today's fast-paced world of hectic activity and constant presence, many people yearn for a quieter, slower and more reflective time. This is exactly what a Grand Hotel offers. It is not just about enjoying luxury, it is about seeking authentic experiences, living culture and history in a grand and elegant atmosphere. Endlessness, attention to detail, patina, grandeur and time becoming space characterise the spirit of these buildings.

ENGADIN BUCKET LIST

ENGADIN LAKES TOUR

From Pontresina to three idyllic Alpine meadows and past eight lakes. An easy, 37 km tour through the stunning Engadin lake district.

SWIMMING IN LEJ DA STAZ

The highest bathing lake in Switzerland, with its charming location, surprises with its pleasant temperatures and well-kept picnic areas. A 45-minute walk from Pontresina.

SAMEDAN MINERAL SPA

A vertical mineral spa in the village centre. The spa ritual takes visitors through three storeys through various stations. The water comes from its own spring 35 metres below the building.

MUZEUM SUSCH

The museum is an architectural work of art and a Mecca for art lovers. Its contemporary art exhibitions attract attention from around the world.

SHIP AHOY!

The scheduled boat service on Lake Sils takes you from Sils to Maloja. It is the highest scheduled boat service in Europe.

WALTHER CUISINE

Wonderful cuisine and a varied offer in four restaurants as well as in the lobby and bar. Exciting cuisine in the finest ambience.

LAZE AROUND IN THE GRAND HOTEL

Time to enjoy and not do much, to work or to relax: The Walther offers plenty of space and little hideaways – along with service and all the right things on offer.

CAVAGLIA GLACIER GARDEN

The millennia-old glacial mills are an impressive natural phenomenon. They can be easily reached with a short train ride with the Rhaetian Railway towards Poschiavo.

IDYLLIC MOUNTAIN HUTS

The mountains around Pontresina are unique. Enjoy breathtaking panoramas and fine alpine cuisine in the mountain huts. Many can be reached by cable car –the journey is included in the price of a stay of two nights or more.

FESTIVAL DA JAZZ

The Festival da Jazz takes place from 6 to 31 July 2023, with many musical highlights and unusual venues.

Looking for more tips and information?

We would be pleased to help you organise your personal summer experience. T +41 81 839 36 36 or www.hotelwalther.ch

Just a few of our many inspiring activities for this summer!

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Not here, not today, a world away …

«The Grand Budapest Hotel» is a refreshing, off-beat comedy about the charming concierge Gustave H. and his faithful bellhop Zero Moustafa. Together they take a turbulent trip through a fictitious Europe in the 1930s, during which Gustave is accused of murder and the two are both on the run from the police. The film, with its star-studded cast and unique visual aesthetic, is an artistic masterpiece that will make you think and laugh.

Mutual inspiration:

The Hotel Walther for Stefan Zweig’s novel “The Post Office Girl” and the novel for the film «The Grand Budapest Hotel»

© Pictures: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

THE PLOT

The film is set in the Alpine Republic of Zubrowska. The authoritative concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, Monsieur Gustave H., experiences the pulsating life of the Roaring Twenties at first hand. He soon takes on a new bellhop, Zero Moustafa, and initiates his young protegé into the secrets of his profession. Then the elderly Madame D. suddenly dies and her surviving relatives, who have been cheated out of their inheritance, are not entirely happy with the deceased's will. Gustave H. and his faithful bellhop become embroiled in an adventure involving a stolen Renaissance painting, a vast family fortune and the dark historical upheavals of their time.

THE GRAND HOTEL AS THE SETTING

The Grand Budapest Hotel plays a central role in the film. It is portrayed as a place of beauty, luxury and refined elegance. It symbolises a lost world of glamour and romance that gets caught off-guard by the impending threat of war and violence. The hotel serves as a refuge, an oasis of hope in the midst of a chaotic and unsafe world. It embodies the idea of a nostalgic look at the past and a longing for better times.

SUCCESS AND AWARDS

The off-beat comedy was screened in a competition at the Berlinale Film Festival in 2014 and celebrated its world premiere in February. Director Wes Anderson's film won the Grand Jury's Silver Bear. In January 2015, The Grand Budapest Hotel was nominated for nine Oscars (including best picture, best cinematography, best director, best editing, best original screenplay) making it one of the most nominated films of the year. Four of the category nominations went straight to the top –costume design, make-up and hairstyling, production design and music all won Oscars.

INSPIRATION

In the credits of The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson cites the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig as an inspiration. For him, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy before the First World War was a kind of lost paradise, where he himself led a luxurious lifestyle as a member of Vienna's «Fin de Siècle» intellectual elite. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, his books were burned and he was expelled from the German-speaking world. In 1938, when Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, he fled to England. In 1941 he moved to tropical Brazil. He turned his memories of the past into two books that could have been the template for The Grand Budapest Hotel: “The World of Yesterday” and “The Post Office Girl”, in which a luxury hotel in Pontresina is described as an island of happiness whose fortunes are guided by the concierge.

… AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT

The hotel described above is the Palace in Pontresina. In the early 1930s, you might have seen an elegantly dressed gentleman busily scribbling in his notebook. In his later novel, Stefan Zweig created a monument to the Hotel Walther. The story of Christine, a postal worker who is invited to the Engadin and becomes addicted to luxury, eventually became the inspiration for director Wes Anderson’s film “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. However, any similarities to living or deceased persons or to the architecture of the Hotel Walther are purely coincidental.

WALTHER WORKATION

HOLIDAY & WORK, THIRD PLACE & NATURE EXPERIENCE, DEADLINE & RELAXATION IN THE SPA, FAMILY, KIDS & ME TIME – ALL POSSIBLE AT THE WALTHER

We all know the feeling: I just have to get these two or three jobs done and check my emails ... the kids and family want to go to the mountains and are getting impatient, and everything is booked. Now it’s time for a workation! This new phenomenon in the world of work describes the combination of work and holiday. The husband and wife travel to a nice resort and combine work with a holiday. This can work wonderfully well in the Hotel Walther and in Pontresina. The Grand Hotel, with its surrounding gardens and green areas, offers plenty of space – as do the spacious rooms and suites. The ambience exudes grandeur and a holiday feeling. We immediately find peace and quiet. No, of course we don’t have time now, we’re taking it easy. We can find a quiet corner everywhere and the free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building makes everything else easy. Meanwhile, the holiday party can enjoy the outdoors. Grand Hotels are simply wonderful places for brainiacs. Grounding and inspiring. When work is done, a delicious snack from the Walther Lounge menu awaits or, I can swim a few laps in the hotel's indoor pool. We can enjoy our time together in the evening or our excursion into the mountains the next day all the more. We have to admit it: The fabulous world of a Grand Hotel is a Third Place par excellence.

ROOMS & SUITES

The different room categories are presented with descriptions, lots of pictures and prices.

WALTHER BENEFITS

Our prices include much more than just the room. During your holiday, you will benefit from a wide range of attractive additional services.

SUSTAINABILITY

It is important to us to act consciously in our interconnected world. Find out what we do for nature, our staff and our guests.

THE WALTHER CUISINE

We pay special attention to our cuisine and we will spoil you with the taste and unique ambience: Grand moments in the Art Nouveau Hall, cheerful Italianità with homemade pasta in La Trattoria, cosmopolitan snacks in the lobby and on the garden terrace, hearty classics in the Steinbock Gaststuben or fondue and glacier cheese raclette in the Gondolezza.

AQUA VIVA SPA

Take a look at our spa area and reserve your pampering time in advance.

DYNAMIC PRICING

Our room prices are dynamically calculated. The rates vary according to season and occupancy. We guarantee the best room prices available – with cancellable terms, or cheaper non-refundable terms. You can see how it works on our website.

Would you like more information or a custom quote?

We will be pleased to advise you personally. Just give us a call!

T +41 81 839 36 36

www.hotelwalther.ch

GOOD PEOPLE

GOOD PEOPLE

Hotel Walther has them. The most valuable asset of a hotel is its staff. The team makes all the difference in making you feel at home and enjoying your holiday. We are very grateful to have these “good souls”. Some of them have been working at Hotel Walther for decades or are still working here even after retirement. We would like to introduce you to four of them, all of whom have worked here for at least 25 years. Thank you very much!

From left to right:

When Sabina Cabello came to the Hotel Walther 25 years ago, she didn’t even unpack her suitcase for a week. “I thought I wouldn’t be here for long, but now I’m still here.” In that time, Sabina, who is responsible for the coffee kitchen, has seen many people come and go. It is nice to see familiar faces again each season.

When asked why he has remained loyal to the same hotel all these years, Jaime De Oliveira Goncalinho answers from the heart: “A great team and a good relationship with the Walther family.” He jokes: “When I arrived here from Portugal 29 years ago, I had long hair. Now I have none.” He remembers the story of the married couple who arrived in two cars. During their stay, the wife had a minor accident, and the couple left together, forgetting about the second car left in the garage. In the end, Jaime had to drive to Bregenz to return the forgotten car to the guest.

Antonella Parolaro works as a housekeeper in the laundry department. The Italian has also remained loyal to the hotel for over 25 years. “When you work in the same place for years, you develop a mutual trust with your employer and everything becomes easier. Even the little problems can be solved much better.” After all these years, Antonella especially remembers the flight in the Junkers that Mr Walther gave her as a present, and the great sympathy she received from the hotelier's family at a difficult moment in her life.

Fernando Marques Lopes is a janitor who has worked at the Hotel Walther for 28 years – more than half his life. He appreciates the family atmosphere, the good relationship with the owner’s family and the hotel staff, and working with his closest colleague Silvio. He remembers the many periods of renovation and how the hotel has developed during his time there.

THE WALTHER CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

Hotel life in the early days

The Hotel Walther was designed in the early 20th century as a palace, that is to say, a luxurious Grand Hotel. The high-class guests expected lofty standards, including luxurious furnishings, excellent service, a wide range of leisure activities, fine restaurants and bars, and a high degree of privacy and discretion. However, the standards and the effort required to achieve them are hardly comparable to today's circumstances. On top of that, the hotel was located in the mountains at over 1800 metres above sea level - with a corresponding climate, cold nights and lots of snow. We have collected a few curiosities, some of which give an interesting insight into hotel life at the Walther in those days.

ROOM INSULATION

The building was designed so that several rooms could be connected to form apartments. This proved to be a mistake when single occupancy later became the standard. Poor soundproofing meant that noises, such as snoring, spread freely to adjacent rooms. It was also difficult to heat the large rooms adequately in winter.

CHAISE LONGUE

The low sofa with rounded armrests for an afternoon nap was de rigeur – as were the parquet floor and wallpaper.

BODY HYGIENE

The rooms were kept rather modestly furnished. Suites or apartments with en-suite bathrooms were very chic and modern. The simple rooms just had a simple washstand with a large bowl, a pitcher of cold water and a small iron jug of hot water. The night porcelain was hidden in the side table and had to be emptied every morning by the chambermaid. Those without their own bathroom used the bathrooms on each floor for ablutions ... or had a bathtub wheeled into the room for a fee.

HEATING

Heat for the central heating system was provided by two Sulzer ship boilers, as used on the Titanic. However, the capacity was not sufficient to maintain a comfortable temperature in the rooms during the winter.

ELECTRIC LIGHT

Electric light flooded the halls and landings of the Walther Palace from the moment it opened. There were also decorative Art Deco lights and reading lamps in the rooms, although these only provided little light.

THE BELL SYSTEM

Guests could ring for the porter or the chambermaid conveniently and without fuss by using the bell system – the bell, labelled with the name of the designated service boy, was connected to a box in the corridor where the room number of the guest ringing could be seen.

THE ENTRANCE

New guests reached the entrance via an outside staircase. A bell was rang so that the staff and existing guests could see, meet and greet the new arrivals.

THE ELEVATOR

The wide marble staircase led to the different floors, just as it does today. Or you could take the “water lift”. Water was pumped into a tank, the weight of which drove the lift. At each floor, the liftman would stop the lift by pulling a rope. The crate fitted underneath was used to transport the huge trunks to the different floors.

THE LOUNGES

The centrepiece was the large lounge with a fireplace and elegant plush and velvet furnishings. The ladies used the loggia balcony to keep out of the sun and maintain their elegant pallor. There was also a Chinese-style ladies’ lounge and a bar with a billiard table.

THE DINING ROOMS

The dining rooms at the Hotel Walther were considered avantgarde at the time. There was no “table d'hôte seating arrangement” and guests were free to choose where to sit. This new informality set a precedent. Even the kitchen was not located in the cellar but on the same level. It was even possible to have meals served “à la carte” in a small séparée.

KITCHEN AND SIDE ROOMS

Cooking and frying was done on a coal stove and a charcoal grill, which generated a great amount of heat that could only be partially reduced by the six-metre high rooms. In the basement were storage rooms and fish tanks, kept cool with ice blocks. In late winter the blocks were painstakingly cut from the glacier and brought in by cart. Fresh ice could be taken from this for an entire summer. The dishwashing room, where the heavy cast-iron pots and copper pans were scrubbed by hand, was probably the most arduous part of the whole operation.

STAFF ACCOMMODATION

This was extremely modest and was located in the attics above the guest rooms. The chambermaids slept in the so-called “oneand-a-half sleepers” and had to sleep two to a bed. Working hours were from six in the morning to seven in the evening, and time spent in the rooms was strictly regulated. The guests’ own maids and butlers occupied the rooms on the 5th floor and were in direct communication with their masters and mistresses via an internal telephone.

THE LAUNDRY

Laundry was boiled and washed in an incredibly steamy climate in a specially equipped laundry room. It was then hauled outside and hung on metres of line. This was followed by mangling, sewing repairs and storage of bed and table linen until the next use.

SURROUNDINGS

The hotel was surrounded by a park-like garden. The hotel’s own horses were kept in stables, above which was the hayloft. Chicken and pigs were also kept here to recycle kitchen waste and provide ham and fresh eggs for the kitchen.

WALTHER CROSSWORDS SUMMER 2023

Who dares to participate in the Walther Crossword Challenge? Just fill in the crossword, then transfer the letters from the orange squares in the right order. The solution word describes a classic Pontresina event series. By the way: You’ll find most of the answers in this Giazetta.

Five winners every month in summer. The first 5 of the month to present the fully completed crossword, including the correct final answer, to the reception win an

Collect moments – not things!