Hospitality in Davos Tourism?- Day 12
I had a late night the day, but was barely able to get up. We had an early breakfast then met with everyone outside at 7:22 for the bus. The tour guide for the day, Shevarma directed us to the train station below the bus depot. The bus was late but we still made our 7:58 train. While on the train I took some pictures of us and the scenery. I was glad that Curtis was smiling again since his terrible toothache last night.
Reaching Davos of the rail station.
Walking up the step hill in Davos.
Passing the buildings apart of the Davos countryside.
I noticed on the way to Davos starz, that the train was going though an industrial area. While a country full of so many trees, wood must be used for construction in homes all over Switzerland.
Once we reached Davos, I noticed a difference in the air. Before the train ride ended, Shevy gave us some information on Davos. The name Davos mean sanitarium, and was a medical and therapeutic location for people with ailing diseases such as Tuberculosis also known as consumption. It is located 1500 feet above sea level and is the highest city in Europe.
We started trekking up the hill for the nearest bus to take us to the tourist station, but ended up walking because it was only a 15 minute walk away. (Plus the bus didn’t accept our Swiss Passes). Once at the tourist center, an attendant gave us some tips for tourism in Davos. He seemed a little annoyed at the amount of us that showed up, but gave us tourism information that really didn’t help. Some of the tourism spots he spoke of were either closed or we had to pay more money. We decided to look for something along the way to the hotel we planned to inspect.
Soon, we came upon a hotel called the Steinberger Bellevue. Prof. Garely spoke with the General Manger and arranged a site inspection. The general manager Sylvia Wyrsch, was an very nice and welcoming woman who was originally from Miami, my hometown. She gave us a grand tour of the hotel which was exceptionally beautiful. She told us that many of the guests for the World Economic Forum stay at the hotel and that security is very tight.
We took a look at the lobby which had a very old style regal with a bar between the section of the room. then showed a dining hall that was the original dining area in the beginnings of the hotel. The hotel itself was first built in 1875 with 30 rooms. Its now 127 rooms and at 242 maximum capacity. The summer staff is 85 employees while the winter staff is 130.
We inspected the suites and all of them were impressive, especially the luxury suite. Even the standard room had a great view with of the mountains. They provide superior, junior, and superior suites for the guests. When then descended to the spa are which she said also has a beauty salon, sauna, and does massages.
Katherine testing the soft bed and interior of the Steinenburger Hotel.
All of us were impressed with the hotel, and left with business cards and for lunch in the park nearby. After a nice break, we went to the next hotel called the Arabella Sheraton Hotel Seehof.
Mr. Robert Attenberger, the Executive Assistant manager greeted us in the lobby. The first room he showed us was a room apart of the original hotel. It’s now a conference room. The interior of the room is made of pine wood from floor to ceiling. The smell of wood was still strong after many years of being of service. It is one of the oldest yet most modern hotels in the Alps. With their 118 spacious rooms and suites, 37 of which are non-smoking, are furnished in a timeless, style and offer several amenities.
I noticed how low the ceilings were in the several rooms, I guess Swiss people weren’t that tall back a couple hundred years ago. We moved on and saw a room with a ceiling molded in cement do give wide arches and romanistic designs. It had a fireplace that was still in use.
We moved on to the garage area that is next to the kitchen. Mr. Attenberger mentioned that the Sheraton has 3 kitchens, one big and the others much smaller. It then time to see the rooms. The first room we saw reminded me of Holiday Inn style. Not in a bad way just that it had the usual amenities, however the bathroom was very nice and modern. One of the suites had a spectacular view of the Alps as well as a terrace for some fresh air. Most of the rooms had the regular 32′ inch T.V. set. He said that they have a project to replace all of the T.V’s to flat screens, but are still gathering funds. I remember seeing nothing but flat screens at the Steigenberger Hotel, even a TV in the mirror in the executive suite.
Elliot and Katherine on the stairway of the Steinenberger Hotel. 
Looking for a place to enjoy our lunch in Davos.
The area was the spa which I thught were excellent. They include 2 saunas, an open shower area, a tanning bed, and jaqcuzzi tubs within the level. The shower area reminded me of the Hotel La Claustra becasue of the openess and informality of co-ed showers. I liked the gravel stone walls for the showers but wasn’t interested in using them with others around. Mr. Attenberger said that the saunas were
The next part of the tour was the dining area which held over 100 diners easily. There was even a new part of dining area that they were planning to expanded further in the front of the hotel. They even have a Paulener’s restaurant in the hotel. Inside the restaurant, it had a very aged look and ski’s on the wall in front of the entrance. Mr. Attenberger said that back in the earlier years of the hotel during winter, they used to store bodies inside of the restaurant with snow to keep them from rotting. This statement sent several students running for the door. I’ve always been fascinated with ghosts so I was scared, but intrigued at the set up of the restaurant with the copper pipes that interlaced from the bar to the ceiling.
At the end of the tour, Mr. Attenberger told us of performance from his “hotel musican”. I didn’t expect him to pull out a battery operated beaver dress in a Swiss garment complete with drum to bang. It was a funny gesture from someone in such an important position at the hotel. I just goes to show that you need a sense of humor to keep ypur spirits up.
As we left for the train station we had a minute to rest before the train came. All of us headed back to the school, I felt a little more worn usual. I was ready to go to sleep before dinner. We sat for the formal dinner setting we have been graciously subjected to since the European students entered the school. They set the dinning table for formal dinning. I ate my leg of lamb with rice as soon as possible so I could do work when I had the chance. Once I finished I went to bed, ready for the next day.
