Our History
THE HISTORY BEGINS IN 1962
1962
​Peter Julen and his wife Marie-Louise Julen Schnyder opened the Hotel Elite with a small restaurant and 2 bowling alleys in 1962
1974
In 1974 the bowling alleys and the small restaurant were converted into the Steakhouse restaurant “Chez Pierre”.
2000
This was operated successfully until 2000. Then the restaurant was transformed into the still existing Country Bar with pool billiards and darts.
2019
During the summer season 2019 the hotel underwent an extensive renovation. Based on the founder Peter Julen, who worked at the GGB and the BVZ, it was decided to use a special hotel concept.
Peter Julen born in Zermatt in 1928 comes from a family with 9 children. His parents also ran agriculture alongside with, while the father of the family already worked as a Grampi on the Gornergrat Bahn (GGB). It was clear to the young Peter early on that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and completed an apprenticeship at the GGB and the then BVZ. His closeness to nature developed even more during his work as a train attendant, more precisely the journeys from Zermatt to Gornergrat and back. As well as replacing the station master. All of his activities are characterized by his joy, his hearty commitment, and his charm.
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To conjure a smile on the face of other people as well as the love for his homeland and the joie de vivre that characterize Peter Julen are just a few reasons that moved him to open a hotel together with his wife and to welcome guests from near and far.
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​​The second generation, in the form of the youngest daughter Marianne Julen, decided to continue running the parents’ company independently in 2019. The 3rd generation, Marianne’s sons: Benjamin and Simon have also decided to actively participate in the company.
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The hotel underwent extensive renovations during the 2019 summer season. Based on the founder Peter Julen, who worked at the GGB and the BVZ, it was decided to use a special hotel concept.This shows the themed trail of the Gornergratbahn stations (Zermatt – Gornergrat) with pictures from back then. Starting at the reception with the Zermatt valley station through the other floors 1-2-3-4 to the Roof Suite on the 5th floor with the imposing, world-famous photo of the Riffelsee. The satisfaction of our guests is our motivation