Connoisseur Circle selects the best Swiss hotels

Winner of the seminar hotel category: Kongresshotel Seepark ThunThe coveted Connoisseur Circle Hospitality Awards were presented for the first time in Switzerland on April 29 at the Park Hyatt Zurich as part of a top-class gala and in front of 150 prominent guests from tourism and society. The award winners come from all regions of Switzerland and are characterized by outstanding service quality, personal hospitality and their unique hospitality offerings.How does the Swiss hotel industry score?A panel discussion with leading hoteliers and hospitality experts whose international careers have taken them to the best hotels in the world offered an exciting outlook on the future of top Swiss hotels. Hotelier Rolf E. Brönnimann from the luxury hotel Budersand on Sylt, Dominique Nicolas Godat, Director of the Hotel Metropol Moscow, Hans-Rudolf Rütti from the '7132 Hotel' in Vals and Nathalie Seiler-Hayez from the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne discussed necessary innovations as well as international benchmarks for new guest groups. "Guests want the wow factor in a hotel," said Seiler-Hayez, for example. "We need to move away from the traditional service concept and towards exceptional experiences." The experts agreed that the Swiss hotel industry is viewed very positively in comparison with foreign offers. New, international target groups particularly appreciate the high quality in the luxury market. Vacations tailored to the individual, a sense of the guest's needs "even before they know it themselves" and services that offer that little bit extra despite increasing automation: This is how the top hoteliers on the podium saw the future of their industry.The winnersThe awards were presented in 11 categories; the winners of 2016 were invited onto the stage to great applause. TV presenter Silvia Affolter and Connoisseur Circle editor-in-chief Simone Dressler first presented the award for the best hotel by the lake to Daniel Schälli, General Manager of the Eden Roc Hotel in Ascona. The prize for the best design hotel was then presented to the beaming General Manager Jean-Yves Blatt for The Chedi Andermatt. In the award/service category, Nelly and Stefan Götz received the shimmering glass trophy for their Hotel Seehof Davos. The Hotel Royal Savoy in Lausanne (Newcomer) and the Märchenhotel Bellevue (Family Hotel) were also honored. Martin Leiter from the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz was delighted to receive the award in the Wellness Hotels category. The renowned Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, represented by General Manager Heinz E. Hunkeler, impressed Connoisseur Circle in the 'Mountain Hotels' category, while the glamorous wedding offers of Badrutt's Palace were the deciding factor for first place in the 'Wedding Hotels' category. In the 'Seminar Hotels' category, the Congress Hotel Seepark scored highly with its excellent meeting service. The special 'Guest Check' prize went to the Park Hotel Vitznau - numerous anonymous testers spoke in favor of the historic hotel on the lake. At the very end of the emotional award ceremony, General Manager Jan Peter van der Ree and selected employees of the Park Hyatt Zurich received the well-deserved award for the best city hotel.The 11 winners at a glance:City hotel: Park Hyatt ZurichLakeside hotels: Hotel Eden RocWellness hotel: Grand Resort Bad RagazDesign hotel: The Chedi AndermattMountain hotel: Kulm Hotel St. MoritzFamily hotel: Märchenhotel BellevueWedding hotel: Badrutt's Palace HotelPrice/performance: Hotel Seehof DavosSeminar-Congress hotel: Congress Hotel Seepark ThunNewcomer: Hotel Royal SavoyGuest check: Park Hotel VitznauThe whole list can be found at www.die-222-besten-hotels.ch