BEAUSiTE: Steeped in history, obsessed with detail and colourful

The BEAUSiTE sits majestically at the foot of the eastern side of the village of Zermatt. Anyone entering the imposing and beautifully decorated building will experience hospitality at an exceptional level, from the manager to the kitchen staff.

From the very beginning of your visit to the BEAUSiTE, you will be captivated by the hotel's historical significance: the reception desk is completely clad in ropes. The wallpaper of foliage and keys behind it signals to guests that they have come to the right place.

The climbing rope runs like a common thread through many design elements in the hotel. It builds a bridge to Zermatt's history and creates a symbiosis between the mountain world and the living experience for the guest.

But let's start from the beginning: the Hotel BEAUSiTE was built by August Gindraux from Biel and opened in 1907. An interesting detail: the BEAUSiTE was the very first hotel on the east side of the Mattervispa and because the surrounding area resembled a park, the BEAUSiTE was known as the "Parkhotel" for decades.

The plans for this elegant Belle Époque building with a striking centre wing and tower as well as two side risalits were drawn up by the St. Moritz architect Hans Winkler. Today, the hotel is privately owned by the Aufdenblatten and Julen families from Zermatt.

When the Visp-Zermatt railway line was opened for the first time and the Gornergratbahn started operating in winter 1928/29, the Beau-Site also experienced its first winter season ever. The hotel was then bought by the Aufdenblatten and Julen families in 1963 and extensively modernised in 1967: The tower and the side risalites were demolished and at the same time two storeys were added with modern rooms.

Total renovation over four years

The next milestone took place around the turn of the millennium in 1999 and 2000 with the rehistorisation of the hotel and the reconstruction of the tower, before the hotel underwent a complete renovation in 2019 - 2022.

The current General Manager Roman Codina says: "We are reviving the golden age of alpinism - colourful, cheerful and with a twinkle in the eye. Nobody wants that cold, stiff look anymore. We are reinterpreting the Grand Hotel in a refreshingly different way. The lobby and restaurants follow a new philosophy. They stimulate and energise. We also want to be a leader in the guest experience. Service culture is very important to us."

And indeed: anyone who visits and experiences the BEAUSiTE is greeted with a smile at every turn, drinks are offered or help is provided.

The name says it all: "BEAUSiTE" means "the beautiful seat". The imposing hillside location alone with a view of the "Hore" (the Horn, Matterhorn in Zermatt dialect) is breathtaking.

The historic Belle Époque building with its castle-like character is a witness to the golden age of alpinism. Respectful and refreshingly bold at the same time, with a pinch of British humour, this characterful building has been completely renovated by the renowned interior design firm Atelier Zürich. The colour and material concept is strongly related to nature. The public areas - reception and lobby - shine in dark fir green and refreshing ice water.

The connecting element

Anyone strolling through the house will notice the rope factor again and again. The doors leading to the new guest rooms are framed by rope wallpaper with a 3D effect. The 49 guest rooms in the main building shine in warm honey and beige tones and are reminiscent of the golden larch forests in the Zermatt mountains.

The 18 rooms and suites in the annexe villa next to the main building are decorated in the colour nuances of the high alpine mountain world - from blue-grey to green and have a lighter, unobtrusively modern and sporty feel.

Claudia Silberschmidt, owner, interior designer and creative director of Atelier Zürich, says: "The English pioneers who conquered the mountains in Zermatt in the 19th century inspired me to pick up on the climbing rope theme. The rope is reminiscent of the early days of BEAUSiTE Zermatt, connects people and conveys safety. Nature is reflected in the colour scheme of the guest rooms. Green-grey glacier water colours, dark fir green and golden tones predominate here, reminiscent of the Wilhelminian era and the golden age of alpinism."

Two restaurants, a fondue hut, the Wine Box and the bar make drinking and dining at the new BEAUSiTE a special experience. Head chef Erwin Peters creates dishes of unadorned simplicity. His approach is based on an unaffected perspective.

He focuses on seasonal specialities and ingredients from the region. BEAUSiTE Zermatt keeps its own cows and pigs and sources dairy products and cheese from a local farm. The Grill The Grill restaurant shines in the colours red and black. The old wrought-iron chandeliers from the 1960s, newly sprayed in fiery red, create a sparkling atmosphere. Meat, fish and vegetables are prepared here on the traditional charcoal grill and then presented in an original way.

The light-flooded "3 Seasons" restaurant impresses with its cosy ambience with fabric wall coverings in bright colours and serves seasonal and vegetarian specialities. The "3 Seasons" is also used as a breakfast room and for events.

In the "Wine Box", the choice of colours is reminiscent of the splendid, golden-coloured needles of the larch trees in autumn. A large chandelier made from wine bottles from the BEAUSiTE range hangs in the centre of the room. The well-assorted wine list focuses on local and European wines. In addition, the "1907 - Bar & Terrace" offers guests cocktails, drinks and snacks in a lively atmosphere. The bar menu offers a wide range of Alpine and local spirits.

The "Witch'eese Fondue Hut" is a very special gem. The cosy wooden hut on the panoramic terrace with a direct view of the Matterhorn has a large table and offers space for a cosy fondue chat.

SPA and wellness in a large area

A major highlight of the hotel is the spacious spa and wellness world. The wet zone consists of two areas: A mountain cave with whirlpools and a winter garden with a large indoor pool. Textiles in refreshing yellow and white as well as motifs reminiscent of trelliswork for plants characterise the new look in the pool area. The outdoor infinity pool offers a marvellous view of the Matterhorn.

In the spa area, guests will find a Finnish sauna, a bio sauna, a hammam, an infrared cabin, a Vitarium (low-temperature sauna), a hay sauna with a view of the Matterhorn - as well as a fully equipped fitness room made of natural wood with ochre-coloured wallpaper.

So it can be said: The BEAUSiTE offers a well-rounded overall package that brings guests from all over the world closer to the history of Zermatt and at the same time meets the highest standards in several experience areas.

You can gain a deeper insight into the world of the BEAUSiTE in the embedded video with exciting footage and interesting interviews with the people who make the BEAUSiTE what it is every day. Have fun!