Grand Hotel Belvedere, a High-Altitude Affair: Design, Nature and a Hint of Miso

Let’s get one thing straight: if you’re a design lover, you’ll want to book a room at the Grand Hotel Belvedere just for the headboard. And if you’re a foodie, well – cancel that Amalfi Coast trip. You’re going to Wengen.

Nestled high above Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Alps (yes, the very same valley Tolkien allegedly used as inspiration for Rivendell), the Belvedere isn’t just another Swiss hotel playing chalet cosplay. It’s the kind of place where design speaks in a whisper, not a shout – elegant, intentional, and just a little bit smug about it (with good reason).

Design: Humble Woods, Lofty Ideas

When Beaumier Hotels took over, they didn’t just renovate; they resurrected. The design was handed over to the dashing minds at Complete Works, specifically interior whisperer Arnaud Christin. And whisper he did – in Swiss pine, chalk walls, thick wool textiles, and serpentine stone. Every single piece of furniture was custom-designed by Christin and team, save for a few well-placed antiques and the oh-so-sinkable green DePadova sofas in the Waldrand restaurant.

The design strategy? Respect. For the setting. For the Alpine vernacular. For the kind of craftsmanship that says more with joinery than ornament. There’s an unspoken dialogue here between mountain and material – a kind of modern Heimatstil, where every handmade rug and wooden tray (crafted by a local foundation training neurodiverse youth, no less) carries a quiet story.

Even the newly constructed spa – a brutalist gem inspired by Japanese onsen – slips into the alpine landscape like it was always meant to be there. It’s raw, mineral, grounded. While the indoor-outdoor pool and full spa facilities are still getting their final touches, I was lucky enough to preview the experience with a Susanne Kaufmann massage – and let’s just say, it set the bar high. Alpine botanicals, minimalist serenity, and hands that undo a month’s worth of emails in one hour. If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to return when the full spa opens

Wengen: Not Just for Grandmas and Ski Bums

Why Wengen, you ask? According to the Beaumier executive board: they fell in love. Hard. Think of Wengen as a sleeping beauty with serious topography. Yes, the town has been in a bit of a hospitality slumber (read: not enough investment), but the Belvedere aims to rouse it gently, with what the team calls “experience-based luxury.” Translation: mountain immersion, minus the clichés. Think paragliding, forest bathing, base jumping, or simply lying on your suite’s balcony watching the clouds do their dance over the Eiger.

Let’s Talk About Will

And then there’s Will Gordon, the hotel’s head chef, who is not your average toque-wearing kitchen wizard. This man forages. Seriously – wild garlic, elderflower, mushrooms – all lovingly plucked from the forest next to the hotel. And if it’s not found, it’s sourced within a 100km radius. That kind of discipline shows up on every plate.

At Brasserie Belvedere, you’ll find Rösti topped with mountain caviar, Black Forest miso-roasted cauliflower, and a cheeseburger that feels almost poetic in its simplicity (Swiss beef, Gruyère, divine intentions). Over at Restaurant Waldrand, the mood gets cozy and casual – schnitzel with a bio egg, Älplermagronen, and a blueberry tart that would make any Nonna weep.

Even the charcuterie-laced Sonnenbad terrace deserves a special shoutout. Picture alpine picnic meets live music meets grilled lake fish – and you’re halfway there.

Cocktails, Cinema-Style

Before we wrap up: a quick detour to the bar — because skipping it would be a crime against glamour. Picture this: mirrored walls, soft lighting, and the kind of cinematic glow that makes you feel like you’re in a Wes Anderson alpine spin-off. Here, ice cubes are branded with the hotel’s crest using a hand-pressed stamp, and some drinks arrive under a gentle swirl of smoke. Yes, it’s dramatic. Yes, it’s delicious.

One Last Question…

I asked Lorenz Maurer, the Area General Manager, what one experience guests absolutely must not miss. The answer was simple: Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletscher, and Top of Europe. But truth be told, you may never want to leave your cocoon of pine and wool.

Verdict?
Design lovers will swoon over the pine panels. Foodies will forage – or let the chef do it for them. And as for the rest of us? We’ll be sipping Swiss wine, pretending we’re outdoorsy, and wondering if we can get that armchair shipped home.

Grand Hotel Belvedere, Galliweidli 1440E, 3823 Wengen, Switzerland