Swiss Deluxe Hotels posted consolidated sales of approximately CHF 1.42 billion for the 2014 financial year, representing an increase of about 1% on the previous year’s performance. American market was again growing last year. Swiss Deluxe Hotels has two new members: The Alpina Gstaad and The Chedi Andermatt were unanimously elected at the General Meeting in Zermatt.

Consolidated sales across the entire Swiss Deluxe Hotels group – the 41 most exclusive luxury hotels in Switzerland – totalled CHF 1.42 billion for the financial year 2014, representing a slight increase of 1% on the previous year’s performance. The number of guest nights also increased to approximately 851,000. The financial year 2014 was characterised by moderate yet constant growth in business. In nine of the twelve months, the number of guest nights increased. The second half of the year made a greater contribution to this growth, despite the fact that July was one of the poorest months of the year. The inclement weather in July limited the occupancy rates in holiday hotels while turnover from seminars and business customers was lower due to the holiday period.

US market on the up again

From the standpoint of the different markets, recent trends are continuing. Domestic demand has remained stable, consolidating its market share of about 35% with a slight growth of 0.9%. While the traditional European market had improved slightly in 2013, it once again recorded a fall of almost 2% in 2014. Good news in this market overview is the stable growth in the American market, recording an increase of about 4%. Main reasons for American guests to visit Switzerland are business – due to strong business relationships between USA and Switzerland – skiing and shopping. It’s the authentic shopping experience you get when walking through cities like Zurich, Lucerne or Geneva. Not huge shopping malls, but a lovely environment for an inspiring shopping experience.

Education and Golf

Another reason for Americans to come to Switzerland is the many top level boarding schools. Still many Americans send their children to the famous Swiss boarding schools like La Rosey in Geneva. Playing golf is definitely another highlight when visiting Switzerland and the Swiss Deluxe Hotels. You will find some of the most spectacular golf courses in Europe right beside the Swiss Deluxe Hotels. Either in the Mediterranean ambiance of southern Switzerland like Ascona, or at a City Resort like The Dolder Grand in Zurich or up in the mountains like St. Moritz or in Crans-Montana, where even the Omega European Masters plays on one of the highest golf courses in Europe. In one week’s time the best golf pros of the world meet in Crans-Montana, this year with Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Victor Dubuisson, Patrick Reed, Danny Willett, Jamie Donaldson and many more. The Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences in Crans-Montana is located just above the famous Jack Nicklaus golf course. The well-groomed track with a choice of different techniques, designed by golf super star Jack Nicklaus, was chosen as the most beautiful 9-hole golf course in Switzerland. Last year Swiss Deluxe Hotels even created the “Swiss Deluxe Hotels Golf Trophy”.

“Through a range of media, sales and VIP events at different locations in the United States and with media trips to Switzerland, we create awareness, trust and knowledge of the exclusive and traditional values of the Swiss luxury hotel industry in the American market,” explains Siro Barino, Managing Director of Swiss Deluxe Hotels.

Two new member hotels – The Alpina Gstaad and The Chedi in Andermatt

As of June 2015, the Swiss Deluxe Hotels are now 41 in number – the association of Switzerland’s most exclusive luxury hotels admitted two new member hotels at its General Meeting on Monday, 22 June 2015. The Alpina Gstaad and The Chedi in Andermatt were unanimously elected new Swiss Deluxe Hotels by the 39 existing members. The Alpina Gstaad and The Chedi in Andermatt, both established in recent years, met the rigorous criteria for admission to Swiss Deluxe Hotels with flying colors. A Swiss Deluxe Hotel has to meet more than 850 quality standards, both on admission and at the annual tests. What is more, a hotel has to have been run successfully for at least one year after opening.

The Alpina Gstaad

In many ways, The Alpina Gstaad sets a new benchmark in the luxury hotel trade in Switzerland. With its perfect location and excellent service, The Alpina Gstaad makes an enormously positive contribution to the Swiss hotel industry. “We’re very pleased that The Alpina Gstaad will now be able to share the quality label and prestige of Swiss Deluxe Hotels,” says Eric Favre, Managing Director, The Alpina Gstaad. The Alpina Gstaad has 56 rooms and suites and indulges its guests with facilities that include three restaurants. Jan E. Brucker, President of Swiss Deluxe Hotels: “Eric Favre is one of Switzerland’s most renowned hoteliers and was President of Swiss Deluxe Hotels himself from 2006 to 2009. It gives me great pleasure to be able to welcome this hotel and Eric to the association of Swiss Deluxe Hotels.”

The Chedi Andermatt

Set amid the natural perennial beauty of the Swiss Alps, The Chedi Andermatt fits elegantly in among the classic ski chalets of Andermatt, a charming town of timeless appeal in the Urseren valley. “We very much hope our membership of Swiss Deluxe Hotels will make The Chedi in Andermatt a permanent fixture within the Swiss luxury hotel trade,” says Jean-Yves Blatt, General Manager, The Chedi Andermatt. Swiss Deluxe Hotels adds its presence to a new destination with the admission of The Chedi, Andermatt. “Jean-Yves Blatt is a General Manager who has many years of experience with Swiss Deluxe Hotels and we are very pleased to welcome him into our ranks,” says Jan E. Brucker.

“We are proud, and we strongly believe that with our two new members – The Alpina Gstaad and The Chedi Andermatt – Swiss Deluxe Hotels will further strengthen its presence in the market as well as reinforcing its position as the leading association of the most exclusive luxury hotels both in Switzerland and internationally,” says Siro Barino, Managing Director der Swiss Deluxe Hotels.

Focus on quality and the strained cost situation

In recent years, the hoteliers of the 41 Swiss Deluxe Hotels have all worked on the quality of their offer despite keeping a constant eye on the strained cost situation. The mood and expectations for the New Year were good as 2014 drew to a close and the winter season 2014/2015 was given an early boost with the eagerly awaited snowfall at the end of December. The 150th anniversary of winter tourism was celebrated in all destinations and even the city hotels benefited from the global impact of the advertising campaign relating to the invention of winter tourism in the Swiss Alps 150 years ago.

Swiss Deluxe Hotels

The association of Swiss Deluxe Hotels (SDH) was founded in 1934 and comprises 41 of the most renowned five-star hotels in Switzerland including The Dolder Grand and the Baur au Lac in Zurich, the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, the Gstaad Palace and Beau-Rivage in Geneva, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel and Suvretta House in St. Moritz and the Castello del Sole in Ascona. They are all synonymous with the Swiss luxury hotel industry and have helped to build its reputation over almost two centuries. With a total of 4,500 rooms and suites and around 9,200 beds, the group accounts for over 40% of the five-star capacity in Switzerland. SDH is thus the most important association in this sector and has for many decades played the leading role in the Swiss luxury hotel industry. The name “Swiss Deluxe Hotels” denotes exclusive quality and the highest standards. The personal service is unique: more than 5,500 employees ensure the well-being of a clientele also accustomed to luxury when it comes to service. The group records a total of around 851,000 guest nights per year. In 2014, annual sales amounted to about CHF 1.42 billion.

The figures are occasionally based on projections for the entire group of 41 Swiss Deluxe Hotels.


For more information, please contact:

Siro Barino, Managing Director, Swiss Deluxe Hotels,
Kantonsstrasse 79, 8807 Freienbach
barino@swissdeluxehotels.com
Tel.: +41 79 335 24 24

Stefan Mathys, Head of Media Relations, Swiss Deluxe Hotels,
Kantonsstrasse 79, 8807 Freienbach
mathys@swissdeluxehotels.com
Tel.: +41 79 227 98 31