Do you know where Zuoz is? I shamefully must admit that I had never heard that name until a month ago when Hotel Castell invited me to experience their site. All I knew was that it’s a mountain resort about three hours away from Zurich. Other than that I knew nothing! I like to excuse my ignorance by reminding myself and (everyone else) that the mountain culture is new to me and although I’ve learned to love it, my knowledge of it is still at its infancy stage. (anything to seem less dull!)
After a very quick research I found out that Zuoz is 30 minutes from my all time favorite resort, St. Moritz! And that it houses many art galleries, museums and innovative activities, for all ages. So a very good start to a brand new journey of discovery.
Then I learned that the Castell is not only a hotel but also a permanent art gallery – even better than I thought!
ABOUT
Rumour has it that the area behind the Castell is referred to as the “Power Place”. Just be aware that some kindred spirits may decide to come for a visit! (traces of a settlement dating as far back as the late Bronze Age were found there)
Here’s a little piece of history:
- 1912-1913: Nicolaus Hartmann built the Castell as an alpine sanitarium. Then his son added hiking trails as well as the first heated pool in the canton. It wasn’t unusual for royalties and celebrities to stay there.
- 1996: Ruedi Bechtler bought the Castell and converted it into a space for culture and art. He decorated the building with his personal art collection and used the site for events and special curated projects with well-known artists.
- 2004: the hotel received its last makeover while preserving its original structure.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The drive there was beautiful but a little challenging given it’s location (on top of a windy hill) and the amount of snow falling during our stay. In all honesty it would have not been stressful had we had chains for our tires! So just be prepared and you’ll be fine.
An entire new world opened up once we reached the top. Adults and kids alike were out and about, roaming freely – some had just come back from skiing and others were getting ready for their evening. If I may be honest, my first impressions were a little mixed. I got nervous by the sheer number of kids running around and in all honesty, I wasn’t impressed by the look and feel of the lobby. The energy was great but the style didn’t feel very cosy and didn’t have any particular flair. But I’ve learned not to judge until I’ve seen all that I have to see!
We got greeted by Irene and Martin Müller-Ryser, the managers of the hotel. What a nice couple they were! I could tell from the first moment we met they love their job and are very hands-on. Their staff was as equally engaged and happy – genuinely.
Once we walked up the stairs to our room and saw the art on the walls, I began to feel a bit more excited. Our room was great – minimalistic, modern and spacious. And the view was breathtaking.
ART, AN INTEGRAL PART OF CASTELL
Luckily upon our arrival we got to take part in the art tour given by Irene on Thursday evenings (5pm). Our group was fun and animated. Maybe being Italians explains it 🙂 Art everywhere! On every floor, every corner.
I love the fact that the owner, Ruedi Bechtler, uses the hotel to share his personal collection with the world. Not only does he contribute his pieces but he also curates special events and installations with artists in the likes of Roman Signer, Fischli-Weiss, Pipilotti Rist, Carsten Höller, Steiner-Lenzlinger, Martin Kippenberger, James Turrell, amongst many more.
THE RED BAR
Start and end your evening at the sexy Red Bar. Even if you think you want to skip that part, you have no choice but to at least check it out. And once you’re lured into it you might as well have a drink or even a coffee! Designed by Zürich architect Gabrielle Hächler and multimedia artist Pipilotti Rist, the Red Bar is the perfect conversation starter. If you’re traveling by yourself, use the red eye-catcher as THE excuse to engage in conversations!
DINING – ART NOUVEAU HALL
Gourmet yet simple.
Simplicity. Quality. Authenticity. Regionality. Seasonality
Not more to add! The experience was stellar, not only because of the food but also thanks to the excellent service we received. Ok I will admit that the portions were a tad small for my taste and I left feeling a little hungry. Next time I’ll just order more!
The dishes are uncomplicated, minimalistic and a delight for the sight. Chef Helmut Leitner knows what he’s doing and especially why he’s doing it – with purpose and love.
LAST IMPRESSIONS
The Castell hotel is unlike other hotels. It keeps on giving! I cannot tell you how many little surprises and awe moments I experienced throughout my stay there.
I was reminded not to ever judge anything before having the entire picture in mind.
Remember how nervous I was when I first saw kids running around the lobby? Well, that changed quite quickly! It was so much fun to see little humans roam by themselves, comfortably and freely as if they were home. The best was to see them dressed in their pyjamas run to the restaurant just to hang out with the oldies for a bit, before moving on to more important things.
The crowd was exactly my style – artsy, cultured and stylish. And more importantly not stuffy or reserved. They were there to relax, do sports and be inspired.
The Art as well, the architecture and furniture of Hotel Castell offer the perfect backdrop for interesting conversations, exploration and relaxation.
I will be back!
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