Hotel Alpenlodge Etoile - Holidays in Saas-Fee

Many thanks

Dear friends and guests of the "Etoile",

in these days and weeks the "Etoile era" under our management comes to an end, of course with one laughing and one crying eye. The "Etoile" - be it as an 'adventure hotel' of earlier years or as an 'alpine lodge' of recent years - can look back on a unique success story and very many dear people have helped to write the script for this success story.

Unforgettable moments, countless valuable meetings with dear people from all kinds of countries and many wonderful experiences of all varieties have marked the time in the "Etoile" and will hopefully always be remembered by everyone involved.

Today, let's take a brief look back at the last winter season, which was once again an enormous challenge for us. The difficult situation caused by the pandemic on the one hand and the pleasingly high number of overnight stays on the other have once again demanded everything from us, but in the end we can once again look back on a very intensive and strict, but successful season.

The good weather, which lasted almost the entire winter, certainly had an enormous positive effect and also - despite the winter with little snow - conditions were more or less always super and our guests were very satisfied all round, which was ultimately almost the most important thing for us as hosts.

Statistics: with 4'571 overnight stays, last winter was 1'554 overnight stays and 22% higher than the previous winter, in 62 seasons under our management the 6th best season and in 31 winter seasons the 4th best winter season in terms of overnight stays. Only in the summers of 2008 + 2009, as well as in the winters of 1999, 2000 + 2009 were we able to record more overnight stays. With an occupancy rate of 88.6%, last winter was also the best season in terms of percentage for 10 years and for the new concept at all. So simply fantastic!

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped to shape this unique era at the "Etoile".

Thanks to the parents Marie and Georg Bumann, who laid the important foundation for the successful existence of the "Etoile".

Thanks to all family members in the 2nd and 3rd generation who have always lent a hand everywhere and who have always supported us with heart and soul and passion.

Thanks also to all our hard-working staff who have worked so flat out and tirelessly for us and our hotel over all these years.

Thanks to our countless dear and loyal guests for their loyalty and warm-hearted friendship, without which the whole success story at the "Etoile" would not have been possible.

Thank you to all suppliers and service providers from near and far for their valuable support in good times and bad.

Thanks to ALL for this unforgettable and indescribable time at the "Etoile"! Together we can achieve a lot, we have experienced that again and again in the past decades.

Now - after 49 years of success - the Hotel Etoile is temporarily ceasing operations. With melancholy, but also with a certain relief, we are ending our decades of activity at the "Etoile". Negotiations are underway with a potential buyer who wants to further develop and run the hotel. Our heartfelt wish is that the "Etoile" will have a beautiful continuation as a hotel.

What will happen next is still unclear at the moment. "The die is not yet cast" as far as the continuation of the "Etoile" is concerned. At the moment, negotiations are still going on about what will happen to the hotel after our retirement this spring 2022. We are still waiting for a definite commitment from a potential buyer.

It could be decided in the next few weeks, but it could also take longer. We also hope that our plans will then come to a good end. Our heart's desire is that the "Etoile" will have a happy continuation as a hotel.

Either way, we will keep you informed when there is news from the "Etoile" and we hope that there will be a get-together on occasion, wherever. Our e-mail address info@hotel-etoile.ch is for the moment still valid until further notice. Until the sales negotiations and the definitive succession arrangements are finalised, we will remain in the "Etoile" for the time being.

With all the best wishes for a cheerful and enjoyable time.

Your family Rolf and Daniela Bumann