In a bid to compete with the most popular ski resorts in Switzerland like Zermatt, Davos and St. Moritz, the village of Wengen in Canton Bern is set to be transformed into a top alpine destination. 84 million francs is to be spent building a new luxury complex in the area, with an opening scheduled for 2028.
According to documents seen by SRF, plans are afoot to convert Wengen, a relatively small resort in the Swiss Alps most famous for the Lauberhorn ski races, into one of the country’s top alpine destinations. The application will see a new luxury five-star hotel built in the village, to complement the reopening of the renovated Grand Hotel Belvedere in the town this winter.
Situated in the Galliweidli area of Wengen, the W5 Luxury Suite Hotel will feature seven new buildings with 40 apartments and 220 beds. The idea is that the fully furnished apartments with full access to hotel services will be bought by wealthy investors, who will then either use them or let them out as holiday lets.
Alongside the apartments, two restaurants and a spa and wellness area will also be built. The total cost of the project is set at 84 million francs, with a grand opening planned for some point in 2028.
"We see Wengen as a high-quality, more exclusive alternative to tourist destinations in the Alps such as Zermatt or St. Moritz," the investor group behind the project told SRF. They expect that tourist visits to Wengen will increase by 10 percent once it is completed.
"If there are new, warm and serviced beds in the village, that's good," noted Wengen Tourism director Rolf Wegmüller. He said that the new project comes as the town undergoes huge changes, with multiple hotels in the area being renovated to cater to ever-increasing numbers of tourists. "Demand is extremely high, especially in summer," he added.
The town has also benefited from an expansion of public transport services like the V-Bahn and Eiger Express, better connecting the town to top skiing areas. "There is drive in Wengen, investments are being made in all areas," tourism expert Monika Bandi told SRF.
However, not everyone is happy with the development. In a statement, the Heritage Protection Agency opposed the project on the grounds that it heavily modifies the local landscape and requires the felling of trees. The project is set to get approval following the conclusion of the local consultation period, which ends at the end of February 2025.