P R E S S K I T

VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hote l & Spa

Höheweg 41 · CH-3800 Inter laken · info@victor ia- jungfrau.ch

www.victor ia- jungfrau.ch · +41 (0)33 828 28 28

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In the hotel sector, VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa is like a world unto itself: it is a business hotel, special event hotel, health and fi t-ness hotel and family hotel under one roof. Its design is spacious enough to accommodate all of these facets with ease while allowing guests from all walks of life to enjoy an undisturbed stay.With 216 rooms – including 106 Suites and Junior Suites – the fi ve-star hotel is an imposing establishment: large enough to be described as “Grand” yet compact enough to retain a unique character and cachet developed over 150 years and more.

The great thing about the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU is its capacity to com-bine the luxuries of a fi ve-star hotel with the coziness of a well-tended private home where the interior is never less than tasteful. This is a hotel guests often return to, finding the familiar but also discovering some-thing new each time. The elegant interior of the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU refl ects the unique landscape surrounding the hotel. The views of the Jungfrau massif from the balconies are unforgettable, as is the journey through the Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch. Nestling between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, the city of Interlaken itself also has much to offer holidaymakers – everything from sporting activity on the golf course to a trip on a steamer dating from the early industrial days.

W H E R E L U X U R Y F I N D S A H O M E

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The landscape surrounding the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa is a major attraction, promising encounters with nature. The view to the south is spectacular, taking in the big three peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – some of the most stunning mountain scenery not just in the Bernese Highlands but the whole of Switzerland. From the Jung-fraujoch – the train station at the “Top of Europe” – visitors can marvel at the Aletsch Glacier. Even in the middle of summer, skiing is possible here. Not without reason is the Jungfrau-Aletsch region a World Cultural Heritage site.At the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU, though, the wonders of nature start right on the doorstep. Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are framed by pre-alpine landscapes best explored by ship, on foot or by bicycle (although

a journey of discovery in a convertible also has its charm). The renowned Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler captured the many moods and perspectives of Lake Thun.For James Bond fans, the exhibition on the Schilthorn named after the fi lm hero is an absolute must. BOND WORLD 007, the collection at the Piz Gloria restaurant, relives the drama of the 007 adventure “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Other memorable experiences with a scenic backdrop include the Wil-helm Tell open-air theatre in Interlaken, the Thunerseespiele musical productions and the Ballenberg open-air museum, all of which combine the history and culture of Switzerland with the natural surroundings.

U N R I V A L L E D N A T U R E

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The VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa we see today had humble beginnings when the businessman Eduard Ruchti opened the Pension Victoria in a former doctor’s surgery in 1856. Around this time, the Alps were being explored and conquered as European tourism started to emerge, with travellers from Great Britain playing a key role. In 1865, encouraged by his early success, Eduard Ruchti demolished the pension (which had become far too small) and replaced it with a larger structure: the Hotel Victoria. In 1895 the dynamic entrepreneur acquired the Hotel Jungfrau, which had been built next to the Victoria in 1894. Two years later he added the lavishly decorated ballroom (now the Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori) in the east wing of the Hotel Jungfrau; the two buildings were fi nally joined by a striking domed structure in 1899. At last the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU was ready for the golden years of the Belle Époque, a time in which business, science and culture fl ourished; royals, academics and authors fl ocked to the VICTORIA-JUNGRAU from around the world. The golden age was interrupted by the outbreak of the

First World War in 1914, but the luxury hotel came through the diffi cult times intact thanks to a prudent business policy. During the Second World War, the Swiss army used the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU as the headquarters of its general staff; General Henri Guisan was often to be found in Inter-laken.In the 1970s, the hotel was upgraded with extensive renovation work and the construction of indoor tennis courts. Another quantum leap took place in the early 1990s with the construction of the steel and glass ‘boulevard’ and, most notably, the opening of the 5,500-square-metre spa – a facility that raised the bar even by European standards.One fascinating facet of the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa is the fact that the hotel is actually a giant work of art: every new generation has skilfully combined old aspects worth conserving with creative new features, thereby linking the hotel’s rich history with the fi nest architectural achievements of the present.

A R I C H H I S T O R Y

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The décor for the 216 rooms at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa impressively blends functional furnishings (individually selected for every room) with carefully chosen decorative elements, from the wall-paper and curtains to the pictures adorning the walls. Consideration is thereby given to the architecture, some of which is 150 years old (while other parts of the hotel are only decades old). The public and private areas of the hotel share a common theme, with luxury embodied through style, class and occasional understatement. The whole work of art creates an atmosphere that is nothing less than

unique. Even for business travellers at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU who have no time to visit the spa, the working day melts away the minute they enter their room (and especially one of the suites).The VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa has been a feature of Interlaken for over 150 years. The hotel exudes the atmosphere of the pioneering days of alpine tourism – a time when nobody would have believed the north face of the Eiger could be conquered. The rich history of the hotel is tangible at every turn, but never overpowering, and that explains its very special charm: the old and the new coexist in harmony.

A S T A Y T O E X P E R I E N C E

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The VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa presents guests with a wide selection of restaurants and bars as far as regional infl uence and menus are concerned. “La Terrasse” is a light-fi lled fi ne dining restau-rant with a casual mood where diners also savor wonderful views of the Jungfrau. The menu, which changes with the seasons, was created by our Executive Chef Stefan Beer. His cuisine is creative and playful yet unpre-tentious. The main focus is on the product, which is where possible, locally sourced. This is clearly refl ected in the local menu – Stefan Beer uses only the best ingredients from within 40 kilometers from the restaurant.

Lovers of all things Italian will be spoilt for choice in the “Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori”, where superior fi sh and classic meat dishes are served. It is also possible to enjoy a plate of pasta in this down-to-earth eatery. The Italian restaurant is located at Interlaken’s main boulevard and offers a terrace with view of the Jungfrau in summer. The wine list of “Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori” is every bit as impressive as that of “La Terrasse”.The open-air “VICTORIA Terrasse” and the “VICTORIA Bar” invite guests to enjoy convivial dining, classy cocktails and an excellent coffee and pastry selection. Afi cionados of fi ne cigars will feel at home in the amply stocked walk-in humidor of the “Salon Davidoff – Cigar Lounge”.

C U L I N A R Y D E L I G H T S

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Groups of all sizes seeking to celebrate in style will surely find the perfect venue at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa: no fewer than 22 lounges and halls (including “L’Ambassadeur”) accommodate groups of 12, while the “Salle de Versailles” holds as many as 400 guests and the “Salle Général Guisan” can host 300 persons.The rooms of the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU are not just intended for wed-dings, company anniversaries and state banquets, however; the hotel also provides the perfect venue for concerts, staging everything from string quartets to big bands.Larger festivities are planned by the hotel’s event designers, who know the local area so well that virtually any client wish can be met.

F O R C E L E B R A T I O N S L A R G E A N D S M A L L

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The VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU is not only the perfect venue for celebrating, but also for working. The hotel has the facilities to accommodate every-thing from small seminars to meetings and even conferences for as many as 400 attendees; significantly, it also has sufficient rooms for breakout sessions, governing board meetings and small group discussions. An experienced team of in-house specialists also helps to ensure best results with state-of-the-art conference technology. In a highly practical touch, the large convention hall is accessible to cars, opening up the possibility of car presentations.The VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa is ideally placed to mix usage types, for example to combine work and pleasure: meetings on Thursday and Friday may conclude with a gala dinner and a wellness weekend to follow.

E V E N T S A N D C O N F E R E N C E S

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The VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa is an ideally equipped hotel for sportspeople with a well-equipped gym available for strength and endurance training. Swimmers can do lengths of the deep-blue pool while tennis players can make use of the hotel’s two indoor courts and three outdoor clay courts (which are covered in winter).A riding stable and 18-hole golf course are located close to the hotel. In Interlaken, water sports enthusiasts – from canoeists to stand-up paddle boarders and sailors – have a choice of two lakes; both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz have wonderfully clear waters.Alpine and Nordic skiers alike have much to look forward to in winter. Another extra-special experience is Ice Magic Interlaken, the skating rink

that opens every Christmas a stone’s throw from the VICTORIA-JUNG-FRAU. Ice Magic combines an excellent rink for ice skating and curling with the attractions of a beautiful Christmas market.The superb peaks and pistes of the Kleine Scheidegg skiing region, where the famous Lauberhorn races are held every year, are accessible from Interlaken. Alternatively, guests can head for the Schilthorn in Mürren, where the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was fi lmed.Devotees of power sports such as canyoning, river rafting and paragli-ding are also well catered for at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU. After gliding from Beatenberg to Interlaken, paragliders can land on a meadow right in front of the hotel.

S P O R T

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As an ideal addition to the sports facilities, the spa at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU rightfully qualifi es as an attraction in itself on account of its sheer size (5,500 square meters) and the variety of its facilities. The water world is a place of both cozy relaxation and exercise. The pool, reminiscent of a hot spring in Rome or Budapest, is big enough for serious swimming too, while the two whirlpools and outdoor brine bath form part of a relaxation zone (especially when steaming up in the depths of winter).However, the spa zone at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU is much more than a beautifully designed oasis of well-being. Through its SPA NESCENS label, the hotel offers a holistic and long-established concept devoted to the theme of ‘better-aging’. To bring about a better quality of life in every sense, a full team of specialists (osteopaths, fi tness trainers, nutritionists, medi-

cally qualifi ed massage therapists and more) is on hand to support guests at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU in whatever way they require. Those seek-ing to take up a healthy new lifestyle can make a confi dent start at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU. The Nescens program was developed and vali-dated under the direction of Professor Jacques Proust of the Center for the Prevention of Aging at the Clinique de Genolier.Naturally, the SPA NESCENS offers everything else the hotel guest could possibly desire, from facial treatments and manicures to a hairdressing service. The Sensai Spa also ensures a special experience for those guests wishing to indulge in face and body treatments with fi ne Japanese Koishimaru silk.

H E A L T H A N D B E T T E R - A G I N G

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As a family-friendly establishment, the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa has much to offer children and young people. In addition, there are numerous leisure activities in the immediate vicinity of the hotel and the wider Interlaken region, whatever the season. Child-friendly excursions to such destinations as the Habkern swim-ming pool in the heart of the mountains, Adventure Park Interlaken, the Heimwehfluh and St. Beatus Caves by Lake Thun have all emerged as classic activities for young guests at the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU. For something a touch more exotic, llama trekking promises a wholly new perspective on the Jungfrau region.

Children also enjoy courses in chocolate making and biscuit baking with local firms such as Kambly in Trubschachen. Afterwards, city kids in particular will be excited to visit a cheese dairy or farm and try their hand at milking a cow.For those who fancy a break from skiing in the winter, ice staking at the Ice Sports Center Interlaken makes an excellent alternative. Finally, sledging in Beatenberg is another very popular leisure activity.

F A M I L I E S W E L C O M E