‘Wöllkomm’ is the greeting in Appenzell Innerrhoden, arguably the most unspoiled of all the Swiss cantons. You can sense the pride the locals take in their homeland, customs and distinctive character – starting with the dialect itself. From the main town of Appenzell, it takes just a few minutes’ drive to reach Gonten. This is the village that entrepreneur and native Appenzeller Jan Schoch has carefully chosen for his labour of love – precisely because it still bears the mark of unspoiled nature; because it allows you to immerse yourself in the authentic, down-to-earth life of the mountainous region of Eastern Switzerland, with its natural beauty and irresistible charm. Thanks to Schoch, the Appenzeller Huus has become a truly special place: a complex comprising three hotels and four residences with spacious suites, which are sold to private investors and managed by the hotel. It is made up of carefully restored historic buildings and spectacular, sustainable new builds. Inspired by a concept that allows guests to experience wellness beyond the digital world, the hotel complex promotes a sense of welcome amongst friends. Following the carefully planned transformation of the more than 400-year-old Huus Bären into a modern 3-star hotel and the Huus Löwen into a 4-star superior hotel, the new 5-star Hotel Huus Quell and the suite buildings complement the exceptional range of hospitality at the Appenzeller Huus. Built using the tried-and-tested wattle-and-daub method, which has been innovatively developed, the hotels continue the Appenzell tradition whilst setting new standards in terms of sustainability, aesthetics and durability – the basic structure of the buildings is designed to last for 700 years.
The huge wooden wickerwork spans the ceiling of the Quell restaurant, giving it a playful lightness with the beams flowing organically into one another and atmospherically backlit. Wood also defines the interiors of the Appenzeller Huus, showing how design and functionality are perfectly interwoven – in the legendary Appenzeller Strickbau (latticework), the warm wall decors, the floors that caress your feet, and the window sills transformed into spacious seating alcoves. The strength of the wood is complemented by softness: fabrics from the re-nowned St. Gallen-based luxury manufacturer Jakob Schlaepfer, which has been famous for its high-end textile craftsmanship since 1904 and today supplies haute couture brands world-wide. Sometimes in understated elegance, sometimes in striking creativity, the fabrics – crafted exclusively for the hotel in wool, felt or linen – add unique accents to the rooms. The Jakob Schlaepfer Lounge shows how refreshing this can be: here, you can take a seat amidst the colourful and enchanting summer meadow depicted on the ceiling and walls – a unique art-work that perfectly matches the fresh, colourful lunch menu, which guests and locals alike can delight in. Speaking of delight: the Appenzeller Huus has something to satisfy all culinary desires with its wide variety of seven restaurants, artfully curated by executive chef Michael Gollenz: from rustic, traditional cuisine to contemporary, modern menus; from light delicacies on the summer terrace to multi-course fine dining in the Bärenstobe; from aromatic cocktails in the Botanicum Bar to the superbly stocked wine cellar, which houses over 2,400 different wines in its state-of-the-art premises. What more could you ask for?
Soothing warmth fills the body. An intensely fragrant herbal infusion recalls today’s mountain hike. You take a deep breath and can easily ‘switch off’. The holistic approach and consistency with which the hotel’s vision of complete regeneration is put into practice is perhaps the most impressive feature of all in the Appenzeller Huus. Wellbeing is understood here as an art form, which is why the spa area also eclipses anything you may have experienced before: spanning over 2,200 square metres, the beautifully designed wellness areas – easily accessible via direct walkways between the buildings – are the ideal refuge for enjoying holistic sensory experiences: relaxation in sauna landscapes and steam grottoes, weightless floating in pools fed by the hotel’s own spring, or meditative tranquillity amidst sensuous aromas and art. A special highlight at the Huus Quell Spa: the L3 Circle promises ‘Long Lasting Lifestyle’ with high-tech longevity treatments: state-of-the-art biohacking programmes stimulate the body using cold chambers, deep heat, gentle pressure waves and highly ionised or hyperbaric oxygen. On the floating yoga platform, you’ll discover new flexibility; in the infinity pool of the rooftop spa, you’ll find fresh vitality – with the magnificent mountain backdrop before your eyes. Perhaps a massage or a beauty treatment later on? Here, body, mind and soul are revitalised and thoroughly pampered. Everything is perfect: atmosphere, peacefulness, the hosts. The Appenzeller Huus has definitely earned its place among the Leading Hotels of the World – here, you are at the source of perfect relaxation.
