Hotel Development: Bridging Dreams and Reality

Travelers, both past and present, are always in search of something – variety, transformation, and growth. This holds true on both sides of the Julier Pass. From a tourism perspective, art, culture, and architecture are vital elements that make a destination stand out, drawing the interest of guests and media alike throughout the year.

Today’s opening of the Posthotel Löwen perfectly embodies this connection: Travel, hospitality, literature, research, art, and culture come together in all their richness to form a powerful synergy in Mulegns. How fortunate it is that this village, a gateway to paradise, is being revitalized, continuing its legacy in cultural and tourism history.

It’s a joy to witness the new spaces and feel life returning to the Post Hotel Löwen. A similar transformation is happening in Pontresina, where, together with architect Gion A. Caminada, we are building the new Hotel Maistra. On the site of the former Hotel Post, we are building fresh spaces, a new hotel experience, and breathing new life into the area. Perhaps we will succeed in shaping a new chapter of tourism history in Pontresina as well – we certainly hope so!

In terms of approach, there is a significant difference between renovating old buildings and reimagining historic spaces, as in Mulegns, and building a hotel from scratch, as we are doing in Pontresina. The development process can sometimes be almost painful for me, as it stretches the limits of my imagination. There is no existing building structure, no spirit or history to guide my work – these are all just beginning.

What we have in common, dear Giovanni*, is the shared fascination and deep desire to create something new, to push through adversity, and to keep going even when the journey is long and challenging. Above all, we are united by the courage and belief in the future that is essential for building a new hotel or breathing life back into an old one. It is the unwavering conviction that our vision is right that keeps us moving forward.

On Monday, Gion Caminada made a stop in Mulegns on his way from Pontresina to Vrin. By chance, one of his former ETH architecture students was there and gave him a tour of the building. Gion A. Caminada later wrote to us:

“The building is remarkable. As I walked through it, I could vividly imagine the way of life in Mulegns at that time—how architecture intertwined with daily life, how architecture supported the events, and how architecture shaped the essence of the place. It made me see our Hotel Maistra, on the other side of the mountain, in a completely new light. It felt like a dream. In fact, I wrote ‘dream’ in bold on the first sketches for your hotel. My experience in Mulegns reassured me that we are on the right track. I felt the true potential of architecture. Giovanni isn’t just reviving the spirit of that era – he is creating a powerful sense of place for today. Thank you, Giovanni. His initiative deserves the highest praise!”

Dear Giovanni, I wholeheartedly congratulate and thank you for your visionary spirit, your unwavering belief in the future, and, above all, your ability to accomplish remarkable things for our culturally rich canton. For years, you have made an extraordinary contribution to shaping vibrant and captivating tourism. I wish you and everyone involved immense pride and joy in this achievement!

*Giovanni Netzer spearheaded the revival of the Post Hotel Löwen in Mulegns, breathing new life into the village of Mulegns.