TIME LINE

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern, Switzerland

Hotel Schweizerhof in Bern, Switzerland has reopened following a two-year redesign and renovation program by the UK-based interior design practice, MKV Design. All the guestroom floors and a large part of the ground floor public spaces were retrofitted. “Our aim was to create a hotel that was particularly relevant for 21st Century business people,” said Maria Vafiadis, managing director of MKV Design. “We therefore designed a hotel that is contemporary but not fashionable, that is both luxurious and functional and which will stand the test of time. We believe that heritage hotel refurbishments should not be a literal interpretation of the past. We have to think about the hotel’s customers of the future and, in order to preserve the individual soul of a grand hotel, designers have to gently move the design on to meet the expectations of the next generation.”

Previously, Hotel Schweizerhof had only 89 guestrooms. In re-planning the guest floors, MKV achieved 99 rooms, each with a four-fixture bathroom. All the guestrooms combine “traditional architectural detailing with contemporary and classical furniture and fittings,” the company said in a statement. Among the other changes made were the stripping out of the lobby area to allow the relocation of the main entrance while leaving the lounge intact; flanking of the front façade by a double layer of sheers to allow lighting in, even if these filter the views of those looking into the hotel; and the addition of an alabaster reception desk, described to have an unconventional form, topped by a digital art installation that pays homage to Albert Einstein who once lived in Bern. The Bel Étage, the first floor meeting rooms and ballroom, were also given a facelift; and the new public and guest areas now boast of artworks, including Paul Klee prints.


The Hotel Schweizerhof in Bern, Switzerland was developed by the Schweizerhof Hotel AG company. Schweizerhof Hotel AG is a prominent Swiss hotel company that specializes in developing and operating luxury hotels. The Hotel Schweizerhof in Bern is a historic five-star hotel, located in the city center of Bern. It has a long history dating back to 1859 and has been a popular destination for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel offers luxurious accommodations and top-notch amenities, including multiple dining options, a spa, and event/meeting facilities. Its development and continued operation by Schweizerhof Hotel AG have contributed to its reputation as one of Bern's premier hotels.





 







MKV Design.

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