THE HISTORY OF HOTEL WALTHER

FROM THE FIRST FEW YEARS: "Ursolina, daughter of Johannes and Natalina Badrutt-Pidermann. I was born on October 27, 1873 in Sils-Baselgia in the house of my cherished grandfather Johannes Badrutt-Berry..." These lines are found on a yellowed sheet of paper, written by the granddaughter of the founder of the Kulm. Jointly with her husband Claudio Saratz, she had been the owner of Hotel Steinbock since the end of the 19th century. Even she was held captive by the gold rush fever that the blossoming tourist industry had awakened. Instead of beginning by expanding the humble lodgings, they were gripped by the idea of building a luxuriously magnificent new hotel on the neighboring piece of property. The blueprints for it were delivered by Zurich's architect, Arnold Huber, who had at the time already made a name for himself for projects on Lake Geneva, in Zurich and (Schweizerhof, Collina, Müller). The plans were implemented in 1905. Sketches dating from 1904 give clear evidence that the intention originally was to expand to two times the original dimension at a later date, which clearly shows the mania of the times for achieving ever-bigger results and the strong faith in the emerging tourist industry. Across the street, the baker Kochendörfer was inspired by the construction boom, which robbed Claudio Saratz of his sleep for quite some time and evoked a major dispute. After all, the drifting smell of bread baking in the oven was in no way compatible with the so highly praised fresh mountain air! Saratz did not give in until his neighbor threatened to sell his property to the Catholic Church to build a house of prayer. In this way, the fumes from the roof experienced a victory over the chiming of church bells with the added benefit that the hotel owner purchased bread from his neighbor for the next five years. The hotel was completed in one single construction phase between 1905 – 1907.

THE PALACE OF PONTRESINA It was given the name "Hotel Palace", a perfect match to the monumental end product and its patronage's preference of the time. "Equipped with the comforts of modern times!" is how the guests were drawn and which referred to the air-conditioning and heating system and the hotel's electricity. Building costs were estimated at 2.5 million Swiss francs, which in today's terms would equal a value of approximately 20 million Swiss francs.

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Hotel Walther • Anne-Rose und Thomas Walther • Via Maistra 215 • CH-7504 Pontresina Tel. +41 (0)81 839 36 36 • Fax +41 (0)81 839 36 37 • www.hotelwalther.ch • [email protected]

The styles of Art Niveau and Domestic Revival were reflected especially on the facade with the use of coats of arms and mountain scenery and were emphasized by towers, stained glass and the typical lighting fixtures of the day. The 106 guest rooms with a total of 120 beds were kept simply designed, but intelligently so that three or more rooms could be combined to make an apartment. The style was even more pompous in the areas where life at the hotel actually took place. The bar, the ladies' parlor, the promenade lounge, the vestibules but most especially the large lounges, parlor and the dining hall. In these rooms, ornamental pieces, an array of plush, marble and carvings provided a sophisticated route into relaxing pleasure. Seven meters between the floor and the magnificent ceiling of the dining hall created an atmosphere of spaciousness, offering a trend-setting experience for the times: instead of stiff old-world formalities at the table d’hôte, guests applauded the novelty of dining at their very own private table. During the later hours of the evening, it was off to conquer the "Clubhütte", the imitation of a mountain chateau one floor below. In 1907, for the first time ever, Pilsner beer flowed through the tap in and most likely the frothy brew flowed down the throat of the leader of the Russian revolution, Lenin. It is said that he wrote in the chalet's guest book: "Le monde sera, mais il sera d’une autre façon." ("The world will continue – but it will do so in a different fashion.")

"LODGINGS OFFERING BLISSFUL HAPPINESS"... The dignified hotel quickly reached top form and in the years 1910/1911, offering lodgings for up to 140 guests each day. However, not even the idyllic side valley of Engadin was spared the horrors of and the short and sweet successful phase in the hotel's young history came to an end. The hotel abruptly became abandoned and ownership was assigned to the Graubündner Kantonalbank. The worries of the hotel owner, which eventually lead to a severe illness, ultimately led to his death. His widow was merely given the right to live and work in the hotel she had once called her own until 1937. During both World Wars, the bank allowed the hotel to be used as a place for soldiers to sleep for short periods of time and in 1929, the building was polished up for the first time. During renovations, the owner approved the installation of central heating, flowing water in all guest rooms and lowering the ceiling in the dining hall so that heating in the room could be improved. Out of necessity, many elements of the Art Niveau style were lost as a result of the work done during this time. Even though the economy between the World Wars once again generously bestowed blessings on the town of Pontresina, the summer seasons throughout World War II were feeble in comparison. Pontresina hardly hosted any more winter seasons.

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Hotel Walther • Anne-Rose und Thomas Walther • Via Maistra 215 • CH-7504 Pontresina Tel. +41 (0)81 839 36 36 • Fax +41 (0)81 839 36 37 • www.hotelwalther.ch • [email protected]

THE WALTHER ALLIANCE In 1934, 200 kilometers in northwestern direction, Hans Walther resigned his post as the director of the Vierwaldstätter-Hof in Brunnen so that he could, jointly with his wife Mary, manage the hotel known today as Sporthotel Pontresina. On June 1, 1945, the Graubündner Kantonalbank entrusted him with the challenging reconstruction of both of the hotels Palace and Steinbock. Not until the 1950's when the economy showed signs of recovery and Pontresina introduced itself as a winter sports location in 1956 with the opening of the Diavolezza cable railway, did Hans Walther let go of his role as lessee of the hotel and become the new owner of Hotel Walther-Palace. Once Barbara and Christian slid into their position upon passing hands to the next generation in 1963, they initiated substantial renovation work, intended to give the hotel the by then urgently required structural updates. Even the fact that the name of the hotel was changed to Hotel Walther was characteristic for the initial days of the latest generation. In doing so, they distanced themselves from what had by then become a musty plush image of "Palace" and stepped off the tracks of that Grand-Hotel steam engine threatening to knock them down. For 40 years they offered a skilled combination of historic preservation and modernizing measures with loving care and continuity. For that reason, some of the most significant parts of the building today still revel in the Art Niveau style and, thanks to creative refinements in construction methods and in technical manner, can harmonize beautifully with our modern times. This is one of the most essential reasons, why the hotel has been a member of the world-renowned hotel association Relais & Châteaux since 1993.

INVESTING UNTIL IT SHINES 1986 introduced the age of wellness with the construction of the indoor swimming pool in Hotel Walter, and was followed up by its sequel in 2002 with the introduction of the relaxation oasis "Aqua-Viva". Both projects combined guzzled down five million Swiss francs. Despite significant tax-related pitfalls, in 1997 Thomas and Anne-Rose Walther assumed Christian and Barbara Walther's life's work. It had now come upon them to maintain the hotel's excellence after the first 100 years and beyond. On January 1, 2007 their dedication and commitment was awarded with the hotel categorization of four stars superior and just recently gave a refreshing breath of new air to their 100-year legacy. A new logo shines proudly, signifying the dynamics of the hotel along with its continued values and the newly renovated parlor shines just as much.

You are welcome to enjoy our 15 Gault Millau points in the Alpine chic of the “La Stüva” à-la-carte restaurant, since 2008. At the same time, the hotel bar has been re-organised, advancing to a stylish meeting point as well as the smokers’ room. For now the mosaic is made completely from natural material. Changing area, beauty zone and swimming pool are now lined with fragrant larch and gleaming green granite from the Swiss mountains. Our hotel bar and fumoir have also undergone a makeover, and the health and wellness spa has been redecorated with superior local materials.

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Hotel Walther • Anne-Rose und Thomas Walther • Via Maistra 215 • CH-7504 Pontresina Tel. +41 (0)81 839 36 36 • Fax +41 (0)81 839 36 37 • www.hotelwalther.ch • [email protected]

Two years later, the ski room finally has modern ski lockers and, with the redesigned garden terrace, which means that it can be used in winter, the Walther now has its third bar. Following its amazing relocation and careful renovation, the "Gondolezza" restaurant has evolved from the former Diavolezza gondola. 2012/2013 major work has been done: Underground construction on a grand scale. 130 parking spaces were created underground and the open space opposite the hotel was redesigned as a hotel garden with many corners in which to retreat. In 2013 we did not only reconstruction work but also newly valued the substance. 4 new Junior-Suites were developed where particularly much attention has been paid to beautiful materials. In 2014, one suit was fully refurbished, all TVs were replaced and a faster W-Lan installed. A new lift to the underground garage is available since summer 2015. Further 4 Junior-Suites more have been carefully renovated in autumn 2015. 2017: Major renovation of the ground floor: hotel lobby, reception, lounge, smoking room, hotel bar and Grand Restaurant.

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Hotel Walther • Anne-Rose und Thomas Walther • Via Maistra 215 • CH-7504 Pontresina Tel. +41 (0)81 839 36 36 • Fax +41 (0)81 839 36 37 • www.hotelwalther.ch • [email protected]

ON OVERVIEW OF THE HOTEL'S HISTORY

1904 The owners of the Steinbock, Claudio and Ursolina Saratz, decide, instead of expanding the lodge, to build a luxuriously magnificent new hotel on the neighboring property. 1905-1907 The Art Niveau style construction, with a silhouette resembling a castle, is completed in one single construction phase. 17.6.1907 Grand opening of the Palace Hotel, today known as Hotel Walther – including a heating and air conditioning system as well as electricity. 1914 The end of a brief successful time. World War I forces the company into the controlling power of the creditor bank. The parlor provides shelter to the military for a time during the war years. 1917 Lenin pays a visit to the Clubhütte, a restaurant in the hotel imitating the look of a mountain chalet and leaves an entry in the chalet's guest book. 1924/1925 A few booming years between the World Wars, even for Hotel Palace. 1928 Hotel Palace is the backdrop to Stefan Zweig's second major novel: The Intoxication of Metamorphis 1929 First large improvement renovations by GKB. Installation of bathrooms, central heating and the lowering of the seven-meter high dining room ceiling. 1934 Hans and Mary Walther arrive in Pontresina to manage Hotel Pontresina (which today is the Sporthotel). 1945 The Walthers make a change to become the managers of Hotel Palace and Steinbock and concentrate on their reconstruction. 1948 Hotel Steinbock is purchased and a lease agreement made for Hotel Palace. 1956 Hans Walther signs the purchase agreement in and Palace is renamed to Walther Palace. 1963 The younger Walther generation Christian and his wife Barbara take over their parent's company. Large improvement projects begin. From then on, Hotel Walther is proudly displayed above the entrance. 1975 Construction of the building for personnel Chesa Allegria. 1987 The indoor swimming pool is added. 1993 Admission in the Hotel Association Relais & Châteaux. 1997 The next generation Thomas and his wife Anne-Rose take over management of the operation.

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Hotel Walther • Anne-Rose und Thomas Walther • Via Maistra 215 • CH-7504 Pontresina Tel. +41 (0)81 839 36 36 • Fax +41 (0)81 839 36 37 • www.hotelwalther.ch • [email protected]

1998 A fifth tower is added to the silhouette and includes a suite. 2002 "Aqua Viva", the wellness area is constructed. 2007 The hotel is officially awarded the classification of a four-star superior location. 2007 A new logo, the parlor is given new clothes, Spanning the Century, Anniversary Bouquet: The Walthers celebrate 100 years of the hotel's history. 2008 “La Stüva” completely refurbished, Bridge room is changed into a Fumoir, remodeling of the bar. 2009/10 The complete refurbishment of the changing rooms and swimming pool creates two new massage and treatment rooms. 2010 Redecoration of 8 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a ski room with individual ski cupboards. 2010 The Garden Terrace blooms: its complete redesign how enables it to be used in winter as well. 2011 Redecoration of the 1st floor terrace and façade. Re-flooring and fresh fabrics for 2 bedrooms. 2012 Sensational relocation. The former Diavolezza gondola is transformed into the "Gondoleeza" pub specialising in traditional cheese dishes. 2012 Underground work on a large scale: 130 parking spaces are created underground. 2013 Completion of the car park with the addition of a washing system. 2013 Redesign of the hotel gardens. The open space opposite the hotel is transformed into a relaxation zone with a number of quiet areas in which to retreat. The Gondolezza, now with its own terrace, keeps its ‘sliding’ doors open even in summer. 2013 4 Junior-Suites shine in new splendour. 2014 New W-LAN installation. All flatscreen TVs have been replaced with digital satellite TV and radio. Refurbished suites. 2015 Easier access to the underground garage thanks to the newly installed lift. Renovation of 4 Junior-Suites on the 5th floor. 2017 Major renovation of the ground floor: hotel lobby, reception, lounge, smoking room, hotel bar and Grand Restaurant.

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Hotel Walther • Anne-Rose und Thomas Walther • Via Maistra 215 • CH-7504 Pontresina Tel. +41 (0)81 839 36 36 • Fax +41 (0)81 839 36 37 • www.hotelwalther.ch • [email protected]