Welcome to Kurhaus - Arolla

Opened in 1896, the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus was a striking presence in the Evolène Valley. For founders Honorine and her husband Jean-Baptiste Gaspoz, the hotel was a labour of love: love for hospitality and love of the Swiss Alps.

The hotel was constructed from stone carved from the mountains and on a frame of wood hewn from surrounding Arolla trees, appearing to grow from the forest.

After years planning and building together, Jean-Baptiste passed away before the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus was complete. Honorine forged ahead and established a formidable business, the vision and spirit of which remain long after she too passed. Newer establishments have opened over the years, but none rival the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus’s charm, setting and heritage.

Set in an exceptional mountain setting, the Grand Hotel & Kurhaus has stood the test of time while preserving its heritage and historical character. When you stay at the Grand Hotel & Kurhaus, you are entering a hotel with character like no other, where old-fashioned charm, conviviality and authenticity are combined.

Imagine a typical Swiss mountain hotel, with comfortable rooms overlooking the mountains, a large garden in the shade of hundred-year-old larch trees, a sunny terrace facing Mont-Collon, a vast panorama of the surrounding peaks, historic lounges, wooded restaurant rooms and the charm of yesteryear. Imagine… and treat yourself to a trip back in time in the spirit of ‘slow travel’. Far from the crowds and close to nature.

In our local dialect, a carnotzet is a small cellar where you can enjoy wine with friends. Here, it is the perfect place for the end of the day at tea time, for the aperitif. In a mountain setting and with the crackling of the fire, come and share a glass of wine, a Valaisan plate, a fondue and other local products.

The restaurant l’Honorine is a magnificent wooded room with a soapstone stove and large windows. Named after the founder of the Grand Hotel & Kurhaus, it is a place with a historical character for pleasant gourmet moments.

In summer and winter alike, our terrace is located in the heart of the garden, among the hundred-year-old larches and arolla trees, and enjoys an exceptional view of Mont-Collon. The locals say it is the most beautiful terrace in the Val d’Hérens, and so do our guests!

Always available to assist in organising activities including guided hikes, skiing, (including one of the best heli-skiing in the region), snow shoeing, dog sledding, family nature trails, ice climbing, cycling, paragliding, and yoga.

Early mountaineering pioneers were drawn by the hotel’s location, and the spirit of exploration and history of hospitality remain at the core of the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus. Guests return time and again to experience the awesome natural surrounds and enjoy the atmospheric interiors of La Grande Dame of the Alps.

Nestled between Verbier and Zermatt, the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus offers unparalleled access to ancient forest, glaciers, mountains and the Veisivi meadows, but remains uncrowded and unspoilt.

The snow-dusted summits of Aiguille de la Tza, Mont Collon, and Pigne d’Arolla can all be seen from the hotel.

The Kurhaus was so-called for a reason, and follows Switzerland’s history as a destination for rest and recuperation.

Arolla trees and their oil have traditionally been used to aid sleep and relaxation, and due to the hotel’s original construction, these remain in the very foundations of the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus.

Who knows La Chotte in Arolla, the little bar for the connoisseurs ! A must for all fans of atypical places.

La Chotte d’Arolla, at 2166 m- altitude, is a bar accessible on foot, on snowshoes or on skis depending on the season.

A crazy view, a terrace to chill out, gourmet snacks, a place of conviviality where good mood reigns, where it is good to stop for a break between 2 skiing sessions, after a nice alpine hike or just for the pleasure of leisuring a little in the sun, the view as well as tasting some delicious stuff!