ABOUT THIS HOTEL

• DESCRIPTION
• FACILITIES
• ARCHITECTURE / DESIGN
• MEET THE ORIGINAL

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ARCHITECTURE / INTERIOR DESIGN

Interior Design: MKV Interior Design, London

From the outside, Hotel Schweizerhof Bern looks every bit as grand as it did a hundred years ago. The elegant, arched facade has been painstakingly restored to its former glory, with intricately carved coats of arms sitting atop the slender windows. There are little Juliet balconies overlooking the UNESCO-listed streets of Bern’s historic center, and beneath them, the Swiss flag flutters proudly in the breeze. The city’s number one hotel simply exudes traditional charm.

But after an all-embracing renovation, this hotel has got some surprises up its sleeve. The splendor that earned the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern its almost legendary reputation among diplomats and politicians is still very much in evidence, with historical touches sprinkled throughout a building that has been completely modernized. The 99 guestrooms and suites have been made bigger and brighter, for example. Most of the wide public spaces have had their ceilings sensitively remodeled.

Just like before, the interiors are poetic and luxurious, with the old, skillfully crafted elements of the original building illuminated by rich shades of fawn and bronze. Contemporary shapes around almost every corner have been added to mark the hotel’s entry into a new period. Designers from award-winning London-based practice MKV Design were chosen to work on the project, and they skillfully helped to add a modern edge to Hotel Schweizerhof’s tried and tested brand of luxury. As if to usher in a new era for the building, they slowly restored and remodeled pieces of antique furniture, creating a triumphant mix of classic fin-de-siècle architecture and comfortable modern design.

In the ballroom, high stuccoed ceilings preside over an abundance of silvery-white chairs, drapes and table coverings. Similarly opulent is Jack’s Brasserie, a renowned rendezvous point for European diplomats, where the original wood panels and lustrous brass light fittings only add to the traditional French charm. After savoring a meal based on French gourmet classics, guests can retire to the Cigar Lounge for cigars and a single malt or can enjoy THE SPA, the hotel’s luxurious city spa with 500 sqm. Dark oak wood and charcoal-grey natural stone give the area a comfortable atmosphere in which guests can immerse themselves.

All of Hotel Schweizerhof’s 99 rooms and suites have been lovingly modernized. Not only are they bigger, leaving space for private kitchens and intricately tiled bathrooms, but they’re decked out with flat-screen TVs and the latest generation IP telephones. Soft, traditional textures mingle with smooth ergonomic shapes, redefining luxury living in the heart of Bern. Once again, Hotel Schweizerhof Bern has become the Swiss capital’s most exquisite place to stay.