Wellness- & Spa-Hotel Ermitage – Panoramic lobby as guest magnet

During the Travel Blogger Events arranged by Gstaad Saanenland Tourism, we stopped in the Wellness- & Spa-Hotel Ermitage in Schönried for a coffee and cake break.

We noted to our surprise that here once again we had a hotel whose website doesn’t tell the whole story. Frankly, we were quite astonished to see how good the hotel looked “in reality.”

I don’t wish in any way to step on the hotelman’s or the hotel photographer’s toes, especially knowing from Vieux Manoir in Murten (more here about the Harley Tour back then) the high standards that hotel CEO Daniel Ziegler sets, but going just by the website we would not have booked the Ermitage. Being there is everything, as they say; it all looks so much friendlier, airier, more colorful and entirely more attractive…

Right away after stepping through the hotel’s front door, you find yourself entranced by the panoramic lobby soaring two stories high. The colors of the wingback chairs, of the cushions and even of the paneling look much livelier than promised by the website! The light-flooded room is very well frequented, especially since the torte and cake buffet is set up directly adjacent for hotel guest to indulge in. The warm light of the floor luminaires and the friendly staff help to make this the heart of the hotel.

Let it be mentioned that right past the cake buffet you will spot the “One Million Stars” piano bar. Here Swarovski crystals sparkle to outdo each other and help to set a fittingly starry eyed mood – if one has not yet been conjured up by a Prosecco or Champagne in the visitor so inclined.

We had such a good time in the panorama lobby, talking shop over latte and cake with our blogger colleagues Sandra Denier of baerner-meitschi.ch and Markus Maurer aka @Kusito of reisenund.ch that we nearly missed the evening meal…

Senior Suite “Saane”

We ourselves did not stay at the Ermitage; instead, we were just around the next bend in the road at the Hotel Alpenrose. However, Kusito kindly gave us a tour of his suite, while Sandra thoroughly checked out the spa. And yes, you practically do need a tour guide for a Senior Suite: the lodging is vast and furnished with all sorts of amenities like walk-in closet, whirlpool, or fireplace, and, of course, – it goes without saying – a decorative living area and the requisite hotel bed.

Also, no need to grope for the light switch should you have to get up during the night; motion sensors and tiny light diodes at the foot of the wall will discreetly light up the way to the bathroom.

Kusito was impressed!

The Senior Suite is among the newly-renovated rooms. We were informed that not all rooms meet this standard. When booking, remember to check the room type.

Find prices and availabilities here .

Sincere thanks to Kerstin Sonnekalb and Antje Buchs of Gstaad Saaneland Tourism for organizing the awesome Travel Blogger Event!