Chalet-Hotel Gletschergarten

The Gletschergarten, built in 1899, sits in a meadow of wildflowers, overlooking a glacier. Originally a large family home, the house gradually evolved into a small hotel. While helping her parents, Elsbeth met Finn Breitenstein, a member of the Danish ski team housed at the Gletschergarten. On the last day of the competition, Finn had an accident that delayed his departure—the rest is history. Elsbeth and Finn fell in love and today they are the third generation to operate the Chalet Gletschergarten, continuing the tradition of outstanding hospitality. (The Breitenstein family celebrated their 100th anniversary of innkeeping in 1999.) The hotel is filled with old-world charm, with pine-paneled walls, antique accents, original oil paintings by Elsbeth’s father, and Oriental carpets. The cozily paneled dining room serves excellent food (be sure to take demi-pension). The bedrooms are attractive, all opening onto flower-laden balconies that wrap completely around each floor of the hotel. The rooms in front overlook the mountains, but I fell in love with our accommodation (room 21), a quiet room in the back with a pretty view of green hills. There is a motto on the front of this delightful inn that truly reflects its spirit and hospitality: “Gladness to the ones that arrive. Freedom to the ones that stay here. Blessing to the ones that move on.”