Engelberg

Engelberg

Location: Switzerland, Canton of Obwalden
Type of establishment: Hotel
Year opened: 1959
Year closed: 1993

For those interested in a bit of background: Club Med occupies the most beautiful locations and also knows how to establish its resorts within buildings with prestigious histories (Saint Moritz, Villars, Wengen, Pontresina, as well as Superbagnères and Vittel…). The Club Med hotel in Engelberg, officially named Terrace Palace, is the latest addition to this list.

Before telling you the story of the Club Med in Engelberg, I would like to tell you in a few lines about the history of this hotel, which was born at the dawn of the century (I am talking about the 20th century, of course)

The story begins in 1903. Gottfried Fassbind bought a plot of land a short distance from Engelberg, a fashionable health resort, to build a hotel. Construction began on April 15, 1904. Gottfried's son supervised the work and then took over the management of the establishment. The Palace opened for the winter of 1908. 

The Terrace Palace is a first-class establishment (luxury, comfort, tennis courts transformed into an ice rink during the winter, exotic garden, access road not to mention a private cog railway). 

Closed during the First World War, it closed again during the 1929 crisis. From its reopening in 1934, it attracted foreign clientele. Unfortunately, this renewed prosperity lasted only four years. The Second World War brought its story to an abrupt halt. For good!
During the war, the Terrace Palace was used by the Federal War Department. Various goods and works of art were stored and piled up in its lounges, bedrooms, and bathrooms. After the war, the hotel was entrusted to the American occupation forces in Germany so that their soldiers could spend some time there on vacation.

In 1948, Mr. Fassbind put the Terrace up for sale, but no buyer came forward. It wasn't until 1956 that a buyer appeared in the person of Fritz Noser. A short time later, Fritz Noser crossed paths with Club Med, which was looking for a hotel to lease for a new resort. This was in 1959. The beginning of a new era and a secure future for the Palace! 

Let's get back to the Club. The village opened for the winter of 1959/60 (December 19, 1959), with Roger CAILLET as village chief. He was assisted by Jean BELIN.

Many people don't know this, but it was in Engelberg, in 1960, that the children's program for Club Med guests (in other words, the mini-club) truly began. Previously, trials had been conducted in Leysin and Le Monetier, but the Club Med, in its communications, expressed dissatisfaction.
In the summer of 1960, the resort incorporated the Junior Village (the term "mini-club" wasn't yet in use at the time), allowing parents to enjoy their leisure activities without worrying about their children until evening.
At the head of this Junior Village, Gérard Messseiller, supported by a small team of Club Med staff, looked after children aged 4 to 15 and offered activities specifically for them during the day. In the restaurant, tables called "Junior Tables" were reserved for them.

The children also prepare a show for their parents, which is presented at the end of the week. Summer games give way in winter to ski lessons specially designed for them and other winter activities.

Club Med leaves Engelberg after the winter of 1992/93

The journey

The journey is made by special sleeper train from Paris Gare de l'Est to Lucerne, crossing by boat on Lake Lucerne, then a small cog railway to Engelberg.  

Today

The hotel is still in operation. It's a 3-star hotel.
As a side note, the small funicular that used to go up to the hotel was demolished in 2008 after 100 years of faithful service. It was replaced by a lift (certainly more practical, but also less romantic).