The Hotel Waldhaus in the Engadine has always done things a little differently. I mean, who else would wait to celebrate their 111th anniversary instead of the usual 100? It’s bold. Unexpected. And honestly, kind of perfect for a place like this.
A grand hotel straight out of the golden age of black-and-white films. You can almost picture it. The elegantly dressed guests, trunks piled high, staying not for days, but for months on end. Only the best was served. On the surface, at least. But what lies beneath the glamour? That’s where the real story begins.
This book isn’t just a celebration of the Waldhaus’s century-long past. It’s personal. Urs Kienberger, the former director, lifts the curtain. He shows what it really takes to keep a place like this alive for five generations. It’s not all champagne toasts and grand receptions—it’s years of hard work. Not just for the owners, but for the staff. Their voices are woven throughout the book, giving it an intimacy and depth rarely seen. It’s more than just a place to stay—it’s a tapestry of lives, stitched together over a century.
Imagine this: you’re reading the words of a porter who's been there for decades, alongside the musings of a chef hidden away in the kitchen. It’s not just the “boss” who speaks here—it’s everyone. That’s what makes the service special. Personal. Genuine.
And the stories come to life even more vividly, thanks to the photographs by Stefan Piehlow. His images capture the spirit of the place—the frozen Lake Sils, the grandeur of the hotel’s halls, the quiet hum of history.
I was lucky to be part of this extraordinary project, continuing the work alongside my talented colleague Anita Lussmann, who brought the design to life. We were invited back to the Waldhaus to celebrate when we finished the book. Imagine standing there, in that breathtaking landscape, with the stories we’d worked so hard to capture all around us. The snow, the frozen lake, the echoes of laughter in the halls.
The Waldhaus is now in the hands of its sixth generation. Can you believe it? Six generations of hosting guests, from big names to everyday travelers, while staying true to its roots. And now, this legacy is bound together—quite literally.
The book It’s something special. Wrapped in gray linen, stamped with bronze foil, with a photograph carefully tipped onto the cover. Published in German, English, and French. A true keepsake.
Some stories are too grand, too rich, to fade into history. This is one of them.
