La Grand Dame

Breathe

Relax & recharge

Take it all in

The hotel will be closed from the 27th of September. We are looking forward to see you during the winter season!

A proud member of Swiss Historic Hotels, the majestic Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus overlooks the village of Arolla in the spectacular Evolène Valley.

Explore dramatic terrain and ski Alpine peaks, indulge in seasonal and regional fare, live four generations of family history, or just observe the awesome vistas and raw beauty of the Evolène Valley. The Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus has been welcoming guests to this pristine pocket of Switzerland since 1896.

Visitors continue to be drawn by the hotel’s location, perched at 2,100m amidst an expansive forest of Arolla trees, and the warmth of its hospitality – the legacy of founder, Mme Honorine Gaspoz.

Your safety above all

The Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus is adapting to the new requirements of hygiene and social distancing. We are making every effort to ensure an optimum level of comfort, health and security for our guests and staff.

We have developed a training programme for our staff in order to implement these new rules of service in the best possible way.

We have adapted our reservation and cancellation policies to make them as flexible as possible for our customers. In order to travel in the best possible conditions, we invite our customers to follow the information and recommendations issued by the WHO.

We will communicate as the situation evolves.

La Grande Dame of Arolla

Our 61 rooms offer all the comfort of traditional Swiss architecture while making the most of the natural landscape. Our restaurants and terrace feature a menu of local and international dishes, nourishing diners fresh off the mountain.

Our team are always available to assist in organising activities including guided hikes, skiing, (including the only 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.

Explore Ski

Steven Jacob

A multi-award-winning, international, five-star hotelier – and the newest innkeeper of Arolla’s oldest hotel. From the millionaire’s village and ski resort of Megève to luxury lodgings in the Namibian desert, Steven has worked closely with hospitality teams, guests and communities to successfully transform global hospitality brands.
An advocate for living what you love and learning through life, Steven was struck by the raw beauty of Arolla, the history of the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus, and the endless possibilities for outdoor living. A dedicated host, Steven’s management of the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus extends beyond the office – you’re likely to find him enjoying a drink with guests or leading off-piste skiing groups from the hotel.

Exploration and relaxation

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.

Explore Ski

A labour of love

Opened in 1896, the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus was a striking presence in the Evolène Valley. For founders Honorine and her husband Jean-Baptiste Weatherhill, a British Alpinist, 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.

Enjoy old world charm and hospitality

Hotel amenities

Bicycle and equipment hire
Children’s club
Restaurant L’Honorine
Bistro Carnotzet
Salon and Swiss afternoon tea
Library
Games and billiards room
Guest lounges and piano
Free and unlimited WiFi
Corporate services

Activities & events

Winter and summer sports programmes
Hiking trails and local guides
Yoga classes and retreats
Masseuse and traditional therapies
Private events
Corporate events
Weddings
Festive events and packages

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…a closer look

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……at the hotel and in the Evolène Valley

August 27, 2020

The State Council in Arolla

On 5th of August the members of the Valaisan executive council made a stopover in our haven of peace. Jacques Melly, Christophe Darbellay, Roberto Schmidt and Frédéric Favre spent a short stay at the Grand Hotel & Kurhaus, in search of this preserved corner of the mountains which Chancellor Philipp Spörri described as a “little […]

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From Namibia to Arolla

Discover your host and director, Steven, Jacob, who answered the questions of Noémie Fournier for the Nouvelliste last week.

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…our guests keep coming back

The hotel is charming in every way and the staff were very friendly and welcoming.The location is unbeatable for skiing and touring locally in the Arolla valley…

Welcoming historic hotel – blissfully quiet, with an occasional chorus of cow bells. Hiking right from the hotel is spectacular…

This place appeared like an oasis at the end of a long trek, right off the hiking trail. Staff were incredibly friendly and the hotel was gorgeous…

…our guests keep coming back

The hotel is charming in every way and the staff were very friendly and welcoming.The location is unbeatable for skiing and touring locally in the Arolla valley…

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