Press kit Grand Hotel Kronenhof

Fact Sheet
Grand Hotel Kronenhof
Pontresina, Switzerland
Name Grand Hotel Kronenhof
Category Five Star Superior Hotel
Member of Healing Hotels of the World
Member of Swiss Deluxe hotels
Member of The Crown Collection
Address CH-7504 Pontresina / St. Moritz
Switzerland
Contact T +41-(0)81/830 30 30
F +41-(0)81/830 30 31
info@kronenhof.com
www.kronenhof.com

Location
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The Grand Hotel Kronenhof is situated at the very heart of Pontresina, an idyllic
village just six kilometres away from St. Moritz. Surrounded by its magnificent
gardens at an altitude of 1,800 metres, Pontresina’s only five-star deluxe hotel
looks out onto the breathtaking mountains and Roseg glacier and is nestled
amongst magnificent forests of Swiss stone pine, Scots pine and larch.
Pontresina ranks among the most attractive holiday and conference venues in
the Alps. Of major interest are the typical Engadine architecture, the Santa Maria
church with its Byzantine-Romanesque frescoes, the pentagonal Spaniola tower,
the Alpine Museum and numerous art galleries. The Rondo Congress and
Conference Centre features state-of-the-art infrastructures designed to
accommodate a wide variety of conferences, seminars and other events. For
more information, please visit www.pontresina.ch
Region
The Engadine valley in Switzerland’s Grisons is one of Europe’s highest inhabited
valleys and stretches for more than 80 kilometres. The valley is divided into two
parts, the Upper and Lower Engadine, both connected by the high PuntÒta
bridge. Of particular scenic beauty are the Upper Engadine lake plateau, the
green valleys, the alpine meadows and the snow-capped peaks.
History
The Grand Hotel Kronenhof looks back over more than 150 years of tradition.
Originally founded in 1848 as the Rössli Guesthouse, the hotel was extended and
renovated several times. In 1898 the hotel was renamed Kronenhof-Bellavista
following extensive remodelling. The 350 bed hotel with its horseshoe shape and
three wings plus a grand courtyard is today as it was then.
A second string to the bow – especially between the two World Wars – was
maintained through the trading of Veltliner wine from the hotel’s wine cellars.
Thus the Grand Hotel Kronenhof survived this difficult period when few guests
visited the area and also profited from the winter Olympics in St. Moritz in 1928
and 1948. The hotel was sold to private investors in 1989 after 140 years of
family tradition.
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Now a registered historical landmark, the hotel was sold in 2004 to
Engadinerkulm AG, owner of the renowned Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz. During the
course of painstaking renovation work, all rooms in the west ‘Ganzoni’ wing as
well as the corridors on the upper floors were re-designed and renovated.
Renovations
In 2007, the owners, the Niarchos family from Greece, invested over CHF 35
million in extension and restoration works. Alongside infrastructural
improvements, such as the fully refurbished kitchen, a modern personnel wing
and underground car park, guests now benefit from a premier wellness complex
with 13 treatment rooms and 28 additional guestrooms and suites.
In charge of the design project were acclaimed architects Justus Dahinden and
Rolf Som; today, the Kronenhof is among the best preserved grand hotels of the
19 th century. The timeless elegance of the interior of the ‘Grande Dame’ is the
work of renowned interior designer Jo Brinkmann.
Between April and June 2009, nine rooms in the Deluxe Junior Suite and Comfort
Junior Suite categories, Deluxe double and single rooms and Comfort single
rooms were renovated. Two new suites were also added, the ‘Bellaval Suite’ and
the ‘Engiadina Suite’ in the Ganzoni wing, each individually designed with
luxurious bathrooms. Walk-in wardrobes are a special feature in some of the
suites. A further renovation was to the grand courtyard where cobblestones true
to original ones were laid.
Awards
The Restaurant ‘Kronenstübli’ achieved 1st Place in the ‘Best of Swiss Gastro
2010’ gourmet category and its restaurant manager, Adriana Novotna, was
awarded best Maître d’Hôtel in 2009 by ‘Bilanz’ the Swiss Business Magazine
“With her enthusiasm for the culinary art presented by Bernd Schützelhofer she
imparts a ‘joie de vivre’ and with her charm makes each and every guest feel like
a VIP”, the jury explained. The Grand Hotel Kronenhof was listed In the ‘Top 10
Best Winter Hotels’ in 2009 and belongs to the “25 most beautiful Newcomer Spa
Oases in Europe’ and to the ‘Best Holiday hotels in Switzerland’. Recently, the
Grand hotel Kronenhof was given further acclaim by the German speaking
Internet opinion portal for Travel and Holiday with the HolidayCheckAward in
2010.
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In Good Hands – The General Manager Partnership
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In 2006, Jenny and Heinz E. Hunkeler took over management from Henry
Hunold, who successfully ran the hotel under its previous owners. Jenny and
Heinz E. Hunkeler both graduated from the famous Ecole
hôtelière de Lausanne with BSc degrees in International
Hospitality Management. Both went on to gain
international experience at several of the world’s luxury
properties. In 2008, they were awarded the prestigious
‘Hoteliers of the Year’ by ‘Bilanz’ the Swiss Business
Magazine.
Today, Heinz E. Hunkeler has returned home. Indeed, he
grew up in St. Moritz, attended the Lyceum Alpinum in
Zuoz and is therefore intimately familiar with Engadine’s
local scene and conditions. Heinz E. Hunkeler also
completed internships at renowned Swiss luxury hotels such as the Victoria
Jungfrau Interlaken, the Montreux Palace and the Des Bergues in Geneva. Career
stops both in Switzerland and abroad followed at Geneva’s Mandarin Oriental
Hotel du Rhône, the George V Paris and New York’s The Pierre. Before taking on
his new challenge at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof, he held the position of Assistant
General Manager at the Kempinski Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich.
Jenny Hunkeler grew up in Geneva and upon graduation went on to assume
various positions, amongst others, at New York’s Hotel Peninsula, the Emerald
Beach Resort Virgin Island and the Ramada Park Hotel in Geneva. She also held
a position in Sales and Marketing at the Hotel Königshof in Munich, a Geisel
property. Jenny Hunkeler has acquired particular expertise in the wellness and
spa field.
Head Chef and Maître d’Hôtel
With the Austrian Head Chef Bernd Schützelhofer and the German Restaurant
Manager Adriana Novotna, the Grand hotel Kronenhof is able to offer innovative
and delicious creations. 16 GaultMilllau points are proof of the high quality of the
Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s kitchens.
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Austrian chef Bernd Schützelhofer began his training in the Austrian town of
Höchst and early on in his career was awarded the gold medal in the IBO
International Professional Competition. Following a stint
at the Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz, he went on to gain
experience at the seven-star Burj al Arab luxury hotel in
Dubai and the five-star Designer Side Hotel in Hamburg.
He also worked under 2004 Chef of the Year Martin
Dalsass, the recipient of 18 Gault-Millau points.
Various positions in the four- and five-star segment
followed, including Lucerne’s first-class Hotel Astoria, the
gourmet Champagne restaurant on the six-star Silversea
Cruises luxury ship and at the Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad. Now his professional
roots have drawn him back to the Engadine where he works as executive chef at
the Grand Hotel Kronenhof, bringing with him the innovative methods and
creative ideas which give his classic cuisine that extra special touch.
The restaurant manager of the Kronenstübli, Adriana Novotna
started her career in Vamp’s in Dusseldorf, furthering her
career at the Restaurant Rheinpark and Marcel’s in
Dusseldorf. She has been pampering guests in the
Kronenstübli since 2003, gaining further experience at the 5
star Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Ireland where she
managed Oscar’s Restaurant. She was elected Maître d’Hôtel
of the year in 2009
The Spa Manager
Meryem Siegfried hails from the area around Hanover in
Germany. Following her apprenticeship at the cosmetic
college in Hanover she gained experience at the cosmetic
institute Gülsen Siegfried before moving to the Silvretta
Parkhotel in Klosters as beautician and masseuse. Further
training and experience was gained in Asia Hot-stone,
Chakra Balancing, Meridian Massage and Lomi Lomi Nui.
She worked as beautician and masseuse as well as
assistant spa manager at the Park Hotel Vitznau before
starting her new challenge as Assistant Spa Manager and later as Spa Manager
at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof.
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Hotel
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Space is a luxury at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof. From the moment they enter the
property, guests are overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all. With ceiling paintings
completed by Otto Haberer in the early 1900s and fully restored today, the grand
hotel lobby is resplendent in natural daylight and reflects the glory of a bygone
era in neo-baroque style. A select choice of teas and homemade pastries are
served in the afternoon to the sounds of delightful piano entertainment.
In the fireplace lounge, the warm crackling of the log fire and familiar
conversation make for a cosy evening. Stucco ceiling decorations in pastel and
gold adorn the Salon Bleu lounge, where a selection of domestic and
international newspapers makes reading a pleasure. With its golden wallpaper
and stucco, the Roseg room is the ideal venue for afternoon bridge, family
functions or social gatherings. And with its grand manor house style, the Grand
Restaurant is most suitable for a variety of events, from family and company
functions to weddings and concerts. The recently restored ceiling paintings in the
Grand Restaurant and the Hotel Entrance Hall, created by Otto Haberer in the
19 th century, continue to amaze.
A multitude of additional lounges (fireplace lounge, Salon Bleu, Salon Roseg) on
the Bel Etage can be connected with one another – a perfect combination for
seminars, conferences, congresses and banquets with 6 to 250 guests.
Guestrooms
All the rooms and suites that face south or southwest have splendid panoramic
views of the mountains and the Corviglia and Roseg Valley glaciers. Ranging in
size from 35 m² to 75 m², they feature bathrooms in marble and granite, some
with walk-in closets. Nine suites, 20 deluxe junior suites and 18 junior comfort
suites feature living and sleeping areas lovingly designed with their own
individual style and attention to detail. The Kronenhof Suite exudes the feeling of
the Belle Epoque with stucco decorations and draped curtains in neo-baroque
style. Newly dyed furniture and decorative materials modelled after the style of
the turn of the century (around 1900) combine with the gold and royal blue hues
of wall fabrics to create grandeur on an uncommon scale and a feeling of
nostalgia.
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Especially charming and sun-lit are the generously sized double rooms of the
Deluxe, Comfort and Standard categories, lavishly furnished using Swiss pine
and traditional Grisons-style ceiling panels. All 112 rooms feature a mini-bar, a
safe, satellite TV with integrated radio and WiFi Internet connection. Many rooms
also have an ADSL port. Fax machines can be installed upon request.
Restaurant
The vaulted ceilings of the Grand Restaurant are the setting for the culinary
excellence offered at the Kronenhof, where breakfast and dinner are celebrated
with the style and opulence of the past century. With Swiss specialities and
international selections, a minstrels’ gallery and outstanding acoustics, the Grand
Restaurant is the perfect venue for romantic weddings, superb gala evenings or
elegant receptions.
With historical flair, the award-winning restaurant Kronenstübli with original
Engandine furniture and Swiss-pine panelling is a haven for gourmets. Head Chef
Bernd Schützelhofer, restaurant manager Adriana Novotna and the whole team
set the crown on the five-star-superior-hotel’s head with 16 GaultMillau points.
The 3-level Veltlin wine cellar built by Lorenz Gredig in 1867 with its original
collection of wine barrels is among the Engadines most beautiful. It is particularly
suitable for wine tastings, larger functions or concerts. Whether lunch at the
hotel park’s pavilion, cocktail classics at the legendary Kronenhof bar or Swiss
raclette at the bowling lanes, each culinary experience is unique and special.
Under a ‘Dine Around’ motto, hotel guests with half-pension can also dine in the
restaurants at the Kulm Hotel, our sister hotel in St. Moritz.
Kronenhof Spa and Wellness
Enveloped by a soothing mix of waters, scents and sounds, body, mind and soul
are reenergised and invigorated on 2,000 m² of spa facilities - one of the most
impressive wellness complexes in the Engadine. A large 8 m x 20 m pool with
counter-current system, children's pool, steam pool, relax-floating grotto with
underwater music, saltwater grotto, sauna, Kneipp footbaths, solarium, fitness
room and gym provide for optimal indulgence. Especially cosy is the relaxation
room with its crackling log fire.
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Also available are a hair salon, 13 therapy and treatment rooms as well as fully
trained personnel for hydrojet, softpack, massage and cosmetic treatments. Only
the finest beauty products with bio-active ingredients are used so that the
nurturing effects of Alpienne and Carita optimise the restorative effects under
professional guidance. A luxurious private spa suite also offers rose-blossom
massages for two in an exclusive and intimate setting and if desired a back, neck
or aroma massage for two . A team of specialists with international experience
made up of therapists, physicians, instructors and wellness experts are available
at all times to offer you support and advice with regard to your overall health as
well as to your choice of sports and recreational activities.
Activities
57 ski slopes and ski lifts, 350 km of groomed slopes, 180 km of cross-country
ski trails, 150 km of winter hiking trails and the hotel's own natural ice rink await
the Kronenhof guest in winter. Other highlights include night time cross-country
skiing, snowshoeing as well as curling and paragliding. And for the more
romantic at heart, there are horse-drawn sleigh rides or skiing in the moonlight.
Summer visitors enjoy hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and Nordic walking
in the pure mountain air as well as tennis on local courts. Sailing, wind- and kite
surfing await at Lake Silvaplana while the Inn river is perfect for rafting,
canoeing or fishing. In summer, all guests who stay for a second night and
longer can travel for free on all mountain lifts in the St. Moritz/Engadine region.
Golfers play the 9-hole golf course at the Kulm, our sister hotel in St. Moritz.
Reservations can also be made at 18-hole courses in Samedan or Zuoz.
Magnificent views can be enjoyed by guests travelling on the panoramic Bernina
Express, since the summer of 2008 the line from Chur to St. Moritz and
Pontresina to Tirano have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites whilst in 2010,
many artistic structures, bridges and thereby the breathtaking views are
celebrating their 100 th anniversary.
Whether it's a boat trip on Lake Sils – Europe’s highest scheduled boat service -
an excursion into the Roseg Valley in a horse-drawn carriage, an outing to the
Swiss National Park, a ride to the top of the Diavolezza or a helicopter ride over
the magnificent Bernina mountains – your experience will be unforgettable.
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Special Children's Programmes
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Expert child care staff provide our smaller guests – age 3 or older – with fun and
games in our very own children’s centre. With children's programmes changing
each day of the week, younger guests enjoy a diversity of appropriate activities
during their stay at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof. Our children's restaurant
Rondelle serves supervised group lunches and dinners to our young guests age 3
or older.
At Easter, our small guests enjoy a special Easter programme of Easter egg
painting and egg hunt with the Easter bunny. Families who book two connecting
double rooms receive a 30 percent discount on the second room (valid if
occupied by children up to the age of 14).
Arrival
Pontresina, just 6 km away from the glitz and glamour of St. Moritz, is easy to
reach via magnificent alpine roads from Switzerland, Germany or Austria. From
Zurich, the journey by car takes around 2.5 hours (220 km), from Basel around
4 hours and similarly from Munich (300 km) via Innsbruck, Landeck and the
Lower Engadine. From Milan, Pontresina can be reached through Lecco, Lake
Como, Chiavenna and the Maloja Pass in around 3 hours covering 170 km. A
special sticker available at the border and from service stations is required for
travelling on Switzerland’s motorways.
Train passengers travel the awe-inspiring panoramic route of the Rhaetian
Railway from Chur to Pontresina, a section served by the famous Bernina
Express railroad, one of the world’s most spectacular. The Grand Hotel Kronenhof
operates a shuttle service from and to the railway station.
The Upper Engadine Regional Airport in Samedan/St. Moritz can be reached from
Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Milan and Munich airports. Connections by air taxi are
provided from other domestic and international destinations. Air Engiadina, for
instance, serves air travellers with a choice of aircraft and helicopters to meet
individual requirements.
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Rates
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Rates vary depending on room category, length of stay and date. Prices start at
CHF 385 per night at half board in a Standard single room; CHF 530 in a
Standard double, CHF 845 in a junior suite Comfort, CHF 1005 in the Segantini
Suite and CHF 1,460 in the Kronenhof Suite. During summer the rates are CHF
315 per night in a Standard single room; CHF 445 in a Standard double, CHF 690
in a junior suite Comfort, CHF 790 in the Segantini Suite and CHF 1,090 in the
Kronenhof Suite.
Minimum stays between 3 and 10 nights may be required depending on season,
holidays and dates.
The winter season runs from mid-December to mid-April, the summer season
from mid-June to mid-September. For further information on rates and
availability, please visit our website at www.kronenhof.com
For further information:
Carmen Stromberger/Susann Lehmann Heinz E. Hunkeler
STROMBERGER PR Grand Hotel Kronenhof
Anglerstrasse 28
Date: April 2010
D - 80339 München CH – 7504 Pontresina / St. Moritz
T +49-(0)89/189478-80 T +41-(0)81/830 30 30
F +49-(0)89/189478-70 F +41-(0)81/830 30 31
E stromberger@strombergerpr.de E info@kronenhof.com
www.strombergerpr.de www.kronenhof.com