La Claustra Hotel

Useful Information

Location:	Southeast of Saanen, inside the St. Gotthard mountain. At the foot of the Lucendro dam, about 300 m north of the St. Gotthard pass.
Open:	15-MAY to OCT daily. [2010]
Fee:	Single CHF 285, Double CHF 490. [2010]
Classification:	World War II Bunker Cave House
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	A=2,050 m asl., Ar=4,000 m².
Guided tours:	n/a
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	La Claustra, Passo del San Gottardo, 6780 Airolo, Tel: +41-91880-5055, Fax: +41-91880-5056. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

21-JUN-1999	start of hotel construction.
2004	hotel opened to the public.

Description

The four star hotel La Claustra, located southeast of Saanen inside the massive St. Gotthard mountain, is a former bunker. The Artillerie-Festungswerk "San Carlo" (artillery fortification San Carlo) was converted into an art institute and a hotel. It is called Kulturforschungszentrum La Claustra and said to be a research center for art, science and craft. The facility was initiated, designed and built by the artist Jean Odermatt. The art center is operated by the foundation Fondazione La Claustra.

The hotel was first planned as a sort of underground monastery, the rooms have hot and cold water but the showers are on the corridor. The complex covers 4,000 m², which contains 17 single rooms, eight of them can be converted in double rooms. There is a laboratory (aka atelier), a wellness area, and conference rooms. The water supply is based on subterranean springs. The spa includes steam bath in a huge klass cube and Kusatso pools.

The hotel may be visited by non-artists, and there are packages for conferences. It is also possible to book gourmet weekends.