Hotel Belalp
Traditional since 1856
In 1856, construction of the imposing Belle Epoque-era building commenced. The mountain hotel opened its doors for the first time in 1858 and was especially popular amongst guests from the British Isles – including the Irish Alpine mountaineer and physicist John Tyndall (1820 to 1893). He spent 44 summers here. In his honour, the Tyndall room has been preserved in its original condition. The hotel was first expanded in 1870, and the construction of the annex in 1885 meant that the number of guest beds could be increased to 70. At the time, the hotel's amenities even included a tennis court(!), and the hotel offered its own postage stamps so that the predominantly international guests could post their letters.
In 1993, the Burgerschaft Naters – a local citizens' collective – took over the running of Hotel Belalp and thereby saved it from closure. The collective renovated the hotel from top to bottom in a style in keeping with the locality and the original architecture. In 1999, the annex suffered so badly under the weight of snow that it had to be demolished. In its stead, the nearby "Lingerie" (washhouse) was added to the hotel's portfolio as a charming holiday home in 2006. To further utilise the special location of the hotel and optimise its existing offering for both summer and winter, its sun terrace was expanded in 2011/12 and a panorama restaurant built. This can be used in a variety of ways and shows off the unique Alpine scenery to optimal effect, thanks to the restaurant's large windows. In 2015, the historic parlour was then renovated in the style of the Belle Epoque.
In spring 2019, all of the guest rooms in the main building of Hotel Belalp were completely refurbished and renovated. During the renovation, attention was paid to using natural, locally sourced materials to retain the hotel's character.
The most beautifully situated tennis court in the world
On 23 August 2012, Hotel Belalp's historic tennis court was awarded the title of "most beautifully situated tennis court in the world". This was the provisional conclusion of the "ambrüf" project launched by Franziska Schnell, who at the time was studying for a master's degree in art at the... Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The project involved a worldwide competition to find the answer to the question of where the most beautifully situated tennis court in the world was to be found. With painstaking care, Franziska uncovered the boundaries of the old tennis court so that, on the occasion of the presentation of the certificate, a tennis match could be played in authentic style at over 2,100 metres above sea level.
A valuable postage stamp
In olden times, hotel postage stamps were used to cover the fee for carrying the post from the respective mountain hotel down to the post office and vice versa. They were issued between 1864 and 1899. At the 52nd International Rölli Auction in Lucerne in February ...2012, some unusual hotel-postage receipts from Valais were amongst the items auctioned. One particular highlight was an extremely rare "hotel letter" from Hotel Belalp dating from 1884, which changed hands for 5,800 francs. The minimum opening bid was 1,500 francs. Originally sent to an address in Westminster in London, this rarity now forms part of a philately collection in England.
Unesco
The area surrounding Mount Jungfrau, the Great Aletsch Glacier and Mount Bietschhorn was added to the list of World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 2001 under the name "UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch".
The region's attractiveness results firstly from the uniqueness of the high Alpine mountains and natural landscapes, which feature different vegetation levels – from rocky steppes to Mediterranean fauna and flora – and,
secondly, from the neighbouring, traditional cultural landscapes, created through hundreds of years of agricultural use. These unique, man-made works (including drystone walls and Suonen, or irrigation channels) have been and continue to be preserved and upgraded by a project that enjoys the support of public agencies.
Holiday chalet
Exclusivity included
Exclusive service was already the order of the day 150 years ago when the workers at the "Alte Lingeire" (the old washhouse) still hand-washed the clothes of the famous hotel guests from around the world. In the winter of 2006/07, the building – whose interior had meanwhile been refurbished to a modern standard by its private owner – was acquired by the Burgerschaft Naters citizens' collective and thus brought back under the ownership of Hotel Belalp.
Wonderfully situated on the Aletschbord, our lovingly renovated and appointed "Alte Lingerie" holiday chalet can now be rented as separate holiday accommodation.
The holiday chalet has electric heating and offers two bedrooms across two floors (double rooms and four-bed rooms) with a continuous south-facing balcony, shower/WC and a kitchen-diner with open-plan living room. The kitchen has all the utensils you need, including a fondue and raclette set as well as a Nespresso coffee machine and a kettle, while the living room features a TV and free WIFI.
On request, we are happy to offer you the complete range of hotel services, including room service and breakfast and dinner in Hotel Belalp's panorama restaurant.
Minimum stay three nights. Costs per night from CHF 300 including laundry, electricity and final cleaning. In the summer months, we are happy to offer you a special rate for stays of seven nights or more.
For enquiries and a non-binding quote, please e-mail info@hotel-belalp.ch
Hotel rooms and lounge
Sleeping "as if a little closer to God and heaven" at 2,137 metres above sea level.
Discover the perfect balance between relaxation, active recreation and good food and drink – "selfness" instead of wellness.
Hotel Belalp has 26 rooms with a total of up to 80 beds, consisting of single rooms and double rooms, as well as three-bed and four-bed rooms, all with shower/WC. Some of the rooms feature a south-facing balcony. Two of the double rooms are equipped with a wash basin and a shared shower/WC, one of which is the historic Tyndall room, which is also available to our guests.
Whichever room you choose, you are likely to have a similar experience to Winston Churchill, who wrote the following after a stay in the Aletsch region: "I have waited a week in order to give you as accurate an impression as I can of the effect this place has on me. It is wholly good. I sleep like a top and have not ever felt in better health.”
Furthermore, the "Alte Gaststube" (old parlour) was extensively renovated and now exudes the historic charm of the Belle Epoque era. The parlour and lounge with TV and games corners are freely available for guest use – whether it's with a nice glass of wine and a newspaper or for a game of cards with the whole family.
Hosts
As the hosts at the historic and historically significant Hotel Belalp, we promise you a warm welcome.
Marketa and Christian Meier and team
Jobs
We are looking for skilled and motivated full-time employees for our kitchen, front-of-house and cleaning teams.
We offer a beautiful and secure workplace as part of a young, motivated team and with long-term career prospects.
Sounds interesting? Then please get in touch with us. We look forward to your call. Tel. +41 (0)27 924 24 22
Marketa and Christian
Please send us your questions and application by e-mail to info@hotel-belalp.ch