Kempinski Palace Engelberg, hidden between the pristine peaks of the Swiss Alps, masterfully blends Belle Époque grandeur with contemporary luxury. The property, originally built in 1904 and recently reopened after five years of meticulous renovation, retains its palatial charm, offering an unforgettable experience for both summer and winter travellers.
The first and only five-star superior hotel in Central Switzerland, Kempinski Palace Engelberg offers 129 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each boasting stunning views of the surrounding alpine landscape. Guests can indulge in fine dining at the Cattani Restaurant, enjoy cocktails at The Palace Bar, or unwind at the rooftop spa, which features an infinity pool overlooking the mountains. Kempinski Palace Engelberg also provides state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces, including the historic Kursaal, a perfect venue for gatherings of up to 1,000 guests.
Andreas Magnus, a seasoned General Manager with a wealth of international experience, leads the charge at this extraordinary property, ensuring it exceeds guests’ expectations at every turn. His journey, which began in Switzerland, has now come full circle as he leads Kempinski Palace Engelberg and the Frutt Mountain Resort into a new era of hospitality. Magnus’ expertise, shaped by years of managing prestigious hotels worldwide, brings a fresh yet reverent approach to the historic Kempinski Palace, ensuring it remains a top destination for discerning travellers seeking both relaxation and adventure in one of the world’s most beautiful settings.
Could you tell us about your journey in the hospitality industry and what led you to become the General Manager of Kempinski Palace Engelberg?
It all started in Switzerland, where I completed my hotel school and first industry exposure some 20 years ago. Fast forward 8 countries and 4 continents later, and with a tenure in Kempinski Hotels for some 14 years, I have been in Engelberg for close to 4 years.
What makes working at a hotel like the Kempinski Palace Engelberg unique compared to your previous experiences?
Having had the opportunity to open the hotel during unprecedented times with an intense pre-opening period. All these elements contributed to creating strong connections with the team — both on an emotional and personal level. Together, we formed every detail and shaped all the guest experiences that we deliver today. This impact can only be had during an opening, and I think this is really what makes the difference compared to any other hotel.
How do you balance maintaining Kempinski’s luxury standards with creating a personalized experience for guests?
I believe that luxury and authenticity are drawing closer and closer together. People seek authentic and real interactions with people who are professionals in their field — being able to meet your guests at this intersection creates meaning.
What is your vision for the hotel, and how do you see it evolving over the next few years?
Putting Engelberg on the map in the luxury space is a fantastic opportunity, but it is also quite arduous. My goal is for our hotel to become known in the market place as a fantastic address here in Switzerland for Swiss and international guests seeking a qualitative Swiss experience with subtle luxury, fantastic memories and authentic interactions.
Can you share a recent success story or initiative at the hotel that reflects Kempinski’s values of luxury, heritage, and excellence?
The team recently launched our latest Cattani Collection menu following an incredible winemakers’ event. The culinary team nailed the food and wine pairing very well and served a 5-course menu based on game meat and mushrooms, leaving all the event attendees wanting to come back. We always try to create according to seasons and ever-evolving guest needs, but it all comes down to passion for the profession, and luckily, I am surrounded by an extremely passionate team.
Another example is our most recent “Golden Tinsmith Award”, which we received for the successful restoration of the hotel between 2016 and 2020. The extensive refurbishment and renovation placed particular emphasis on preserving its original charm — the Belle Époque construction was combined with the new building, which incorporates a listed auditorium.
What is the most rewarding part of leading a hotel in such a stunning location as Engelberg?
With perhaps the most amazing mountain panorama in central Switzerland, the surroundings in Engelberg and the hotel are like a colosseum of vistas where you are reminded of the elements daily. Nature needs to be felt and experienced, so I try to get out as much as I can, often hitting the trails or slopes with my family and friends.
How do you ensure that Kempinski Palace Engelberg stands out in a competitive luxury hotel market, particularly with discerning travellers?
Great service and the quality of what we deliver has to be our ‘calling’ card. We place an incredible focus on guests and their needs, making sure that an experience with us is always impeccable. Yes, sometimes things do not always go as planned, but then it’s always about how you recover from any situation, which is also something I place great emphasis on.
What trends are you noticing in luxury hospitality, and how is the hotel adapting to these?
As I touched on earlier, authenticity and experiential travel, where you get to see what is unique and feel genuine emotions, is truly what it’s all about. COVID taught us that life is short, nothing is given, and we need to seize the moment and dare to travel and explore destinations now rather than later.
The hotel is part of the renowned Kempinski group of hotels – what values does this instil in the property, and how are these reflected in its offerings?
Kempinski has an impressive history, with a long tenure and tradition within the luxury hospitality space. This experience, as we might call it, certainly supports our operational delivery through solid standards and operating procedures, but also through a strong talent development foundation stretching back decades. This helps ensure that service is kept at the expected standard and that we mostly deliver on promises made.
How do you and your team craft memorable experiences for guests, especially those seeking both relaxation and adventure in Engelberg?
We are privileged to be living in a place that has the best of what nature has to offer during all four seasons. We tailor our experiences in accordance with nature, using every opportunity to celebrate our biggest source of inspiration by weaving this into our guest experience. In addition to the soft factors, we spend time together each month reviewing the quality scores of the past month, reading meticulously through every guest comment or feedback collected from a 360-degree angle. Similarly, when planning what offers will be made and added, we aim to always make it a team exercise, where we talk through and workshop the offers before finalizing them. This helps us ensure that we listen to our guests and that whatever we do has their best interests in mind.
Can you talk about any innovations or technologies being integrated into the guest experience?
At the moment, we are working on the potential for pre-arrival check-in and keyless access over smart devices. Nothing is finalized yet, but we believe that this is where it is heading.
What is your personal favourite aspect of Engelberg, and how do you recommend guests experience the region?
I love how the mountains circle the village and create a colosseum effect, making the vistas so close you can almost reach out and touch them. The village also looks different from every vantage point, so I encourage everyone to get up on the surrounding hills and enjoy the view — hiking in the fall is a fantastic way to experience this. There are several restaurants that also have fantastic views, and I always encourage our guests to visit them.
Tell us more about what guests can expect from a stay at the hotel…
The hotel has a very warm, comfortable and harmonious feel to it. There is quality all around, with surfaces made of refined materials and products, so you are really encompassed by craftsmanship feel at all touchpoints. Combining this with what I call ‘perfectly scaled’ facilities makes it intimate while still large enough to offer a selection of areas and spaces to explore. The F&B and culinary offerings are of very high quality, and the team focuses on serving food of exquisite flavour based on local ingredients and artisanal products.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career, and how has it shaped your leadership style?
Luxury hospitality is all about being relentless and never ‘quitting’ on the little things. Excellence is a journey, not a destination, where continuous improvements are always needed. Summing it up, you can never settle for ‘good’; you need to continuously challenge what you do and look for ways to improve and become even better.
What do you enjoy most about your role, and why are you so passionate about this industry?
First and foremost, I love working with people, both as my team members and as our guests. Interacting with people and sharing a passion for our profession is something that I take joy in. I would say truly being of service to our guests and watching how our meticulous efforts are paid off with a warm smile of appreciation is one that lets me know that I am in the right place.
What future projects or developments are you most excited about at the hotel?
Developing pop-up venues and experiential in-house spaces that are in line with our passion points and the biggest attraction, Mother Nature. All aspects of curating meaningful experiences that enrich the lives of our guests are some things that we are all excited about.
To find out more about Kempinski Palace Engelberg and book, contact the hotel using the below details:
Kempinski Palace Engelberg
Dorfstrasse 40
6390 Engelberg
Switzerland
Web: kempinski.com/kempinski-palace-engelberg
Tel: +41 41 639 7575
Email: info.engelberg@kempinski.com
Instagram: @kempinski.engelberg
Facebook: @KempinskiEngelberg