From Abandoned to 5-Star: The Remarkable Comeback of Grand Hotel Belvédère in Wengen

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the global hospitality industry to its knees — and Switzerland, with its alpine luxury and seasonal tourism, was no exception. Among the hardest hit were mountain hotels, which faced both financial strain and dwindling relevance. But some of these establishments refused to let history write their ending.

Facade of Hotel Belvedere

Welcome to the first post in our Swiss Hotel Comeback Series, where we dive into real-life case studies of resilience, reinvention, and revival. Today, we start with a legendary property perched high in the Bernese Alps — the Grand Hotel Belvedere in Wengen.

Village of Wengen

Wengen, a car-free alpine village overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley, has long been a favorite for skiers, hikers, and lovers of timeless charm. The Grand Hotel Belvedere, a Belle Époque marvel, was once a crown jewel of this village.

It represented not only the golden era of Swiss mountain tourism but also the cultural heartbeat of Wengen — until the pandemic brought its operations to a halt.

Like many alpine hotels, the Grand Hotel Belvedere was heavily reliant on international tourism — particularly from the UK, Germany, and Asia. In 2020 and 2021, with travel restrictions in place and event cancellations piling up, the hotel stood empty.

Wengen, known for hosting parts of the FIS World Cup, felt eerily quiet. Without guests, revenue collapsed. Without revenue, service levels dropped. Eventually, the hotel closed its doors.

Worse, it seemed that the entire village was feeling the consequences: fewer arrivals, closed restaurants, and an aging hospitality infrastructure.

The Turnaround - A Bold Rebirth

But in 2024, a turning point arrived. The French boutique hotel group Beaumier, known for stylish, sustainable resorts in the Alps and Provence, acquired both the Waldrand (previously known as Wengener Hof) and the Hotel Belvedere.

Their vision? Restore its historic façade, modernize the interiors, and redefine what luxury in the Alps should look like today.

Key revival actions included:

📐 Extensive interior redesign preserving historical elements

💡 Sustainability-focused infrastructure upgrades (energy, water, food sourcing)

🧳 A refined guest experience aimed at slow travelers and experience seekers

👥 Hiring and training a team with both local knowledge and international flair

Impact on Wengen: A Ripple Effect of Growth

The result: Wengen’s first 5-star hotel, re-opening with a fresh brand identity but deep roots in its legacy.

This wasn’t just a win for the hotel — it was a win for the village. Since the re-opening:

🏨 Room rates in nearby hotels increased due to stronger perceived value

🍽️ Local restaurants saw a rise in bookings from new luxury clientele

🧑‍🎓 Younger hospitality professionals returned to Wengen for career opportunities

🎿 Tourism infrastructure began receiving public-private investment boosts

In short, the comeback of one hotel ignited a wider economic and image revival.

Lessons for Hoteliers

What can other hotel owners or investors take away from this?

Don’t underestimate the power of brand repositioning Invest in guest experience — not just aesthetics Historic value can be an asset if paired with modernity Local impact matters — revive the ecosystem, not just the building

Want help reimagining your hotel’s strategy? 📩 Reach out to Beyond Metrics — we turn hotel experience into bold action.

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