Your family-run panoramic hotel in Switzerland
“Griessach & a warm welcome to your holiday in Grindelwald!"
We, your hosts
Pure relaxation and enjoyment! Vera and Christian Brawand-Küng do everything to make your time out in Grindelwald as delightful and impressive as possible.
Christian Brawand is many things: a qualified hotel manager, carpenter, ski instructor, active mountain rescue specialist, and part of the hotel management since 1990. No less versatile is his wife, Vera Brawand-Küng: a trained medical assistant and ski instructor from Gstaad, mother of Aline, Silvie, and Christian, and a tireless hostess who brings a touch of “Romandie” charm and a breath of fresh air to the glacier village and to Kirchbühl.
Hospitality and warmth are the top priorities. We love what we do and, together with a motivated team, we are dedicated to creating the most wonderful holiday experiences for our guests.
Our team
Only together are we strong! Good cooperation, mutual appreciation, and the passion to use personal strengths for the well-being of our guests characterise our staff. Whether in the rooms, the wellness area, or the gourmet section - our team spoils you in every corner.
We blend responsibility with passion
Cuisine
Daniel Herrmann, Head Chef
Service
Esther Amstutz, Chef de Service
Reception
Sabine Wenger, Executive Assistant - Administration
Alexandra Winkelmann, Head of Reception
Housekeeping
Marta Fernandes, Head Housekeeper
Our history
At the foot of the Eiger stands a house of enduring quality. The panoramic gourmet Hotel Kirchbühl is one of the most traditional hotels in Grindelwald. What makes it special: it has been lovingly run by the Brawand family for four generations. Since the opening of the once small guesthouse around 1900, much has changed, yet the most beautiful things have remained: genuine hospitality, love for the region, the breathtaking view of the Jungfrau-Aletsch, and the wonderful feeling of being at home.
Founder generation 1900-1947
Friedrich and Marie Brawand-Schwab
At around the turn of the century, Friedrich Brawand, a 23-year old mountain family’s son, built the Kirchbühl guesthouse from scratch. Three years later he married the former cook of the guesthouse, Marie Schwab from Bargen in Seeland. They both ran the Kirchbühl guesthouse until 1946. They had 5 children. During this time, the guesthouse was only open during the summer. Fritz Brawand was a great pioneer: He was one of the initiators of the Firstbahn and later built the Bort mountain lodge on his own land.
2nd Generation 1948-1974
Christian and Margaritha Brawand-Kaufmann
A winter season in the Kirchbühl became reality for the first time thanks to the construction of the nearby Firstbahn. In 1949, Christian was allowed to continue his father’s farm as well. In 1959, the long-awaited road access was finally realised. Margrit took care of the hotel and their 7 children. Christian Brawand also worked as a mountain guide and ski instructor. He spent many years serving the glacier village as mayor and in the grand council of the canton of Bern.
3rd Generation 1974-2004
Christian and Rosmarie Brawand-Imboden
In 1975, Christian and Rosmarie Brawand-Imboden took over the hotel. In 1979, the guesthouse experienced a first, impressive expansion to a 3-star hotel. In 1991, further extensive renovation followed and resulted in its current 4-star size.
Furthermore, chalet apartments were steadily added nearby. Christian Brawand first established the family-owned gravel and concrete plant and also became involved in politics in the grand council.
In 1993, he purchased the Bort mountain lodge from his cousin Albert Schlunegger to bring it back into family ownership.
2004 the 3rd generation handed over the business to the next Brawand-generation. Saddly Christian Brawand-Imboden died in December 2017 after a short illness.
4th Generation since 2004
Christian and Vera Brawand-Küng
Since 2004, Christian & Vera Brawand-Küng have continued to run the strongly positioned hotel business.
In 2005, brother Bruno Brawand assumed management of Berghaus Bort and has dedicated himself to its conversion.