A house with history.
It was a turbulent time in Europe when the "Waldstätterhof" hotel in Brunnen opened its doors on a Sunday on July 17, 1870 - a place that to this day stands for joie de vivre, maximum enjoyment and warm hospitality. In the midst of a war between neighbors Germany and France, which broke out just two days later on 19 July, the Waldstätterhof became an island of peace in a neutral country - a powerful symbol of peace and refuge.
The modern luxury hotel, which Fridolin Fassbind built in 1870, comprised 115 rooms with a total of 170 beds. The decision to build the hotel directly on the quay has proven to be extremely far-sighted to this day. The hotel's location has lost none of its uniqueness. The number of rooms and beds, as well as the building designed by Schwyz architect Johann Meyer, have changed very little. Even if the ladies' and music salons, the smoking and billiard rooms no longer exist today, many things are still reminiscent of the heyday - especially the magnificent halls, which keep the memory of the great grand hotels of the fin de siècle alive.
Astonishing facts also emerge from the many original documents that have been preserved. For example, an overnight stay cost between eight and eleven francs, depending on the floor. Prices fell the higher the floor. By way of comparison, a carriage ride to Arth cost twelve francs each way. Breakfast was available for 1.50 francs and dinner for 2.50 francs. Old hotel guides praise not only the enchanting location and the beautiful gardens, but also the first-class room furnishings: a bathtub in the room - a real luxury at the time! Today, our hotel is still modern and comfortably furnished, but has lost none of its turn-of-the-century charm.
The Seehotel Waldstätterhof can look back on over 150 years of tradition as a first-class hotel. Great personalities from the worlds of nobility, politics and culture, such as Queen Victoria of England, King Alfonso of Spain, Winston Churchill, Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Hermann Hesse, have all stayed here. Even today, we count famous guests among our circle - including former US President George Bush, Köbi Kuhn, Patrick Küng, Stefanie Heinzmann, Patent Ochsner and many others.
But one thing remains unchanged: Every guest is a VIP with us - and that will remain the case for the next 150 years.