Two Grand Openings - Art Garten Hotels 2026 Successfully Launched
The first edition of Art Garden Hotels 2026 has officially launched with two atmospheric events on Lake Geneva and in the Emmental region. Representatives from tourism, culture, business, and hospitality, along with numerous artists and media, celebrated the kick-off of a project unique across Switzerland, combining art, nature, and hospitality.
Launch on Lake Geneva: Art Meets Inspiration
The launch kicked off with the opening ceremony at Hotel Bon Rivage in La Tour-de-Peilz. In a unique location directly on Lake Geneva, guests gained initial insights into the concept of Art Garden Hotels: from April to November 2026, over 100 works by around 30 Swiss artists will transform the gardens of 21 hotels into publicly accessible open-air galleries.
It was already apparent on site how diverse and inspiring the combination of contemporary art and nature can be. The exhibited sculptures by Susi Kramer, Markus Graf, and Gabriel Mazenauer invited dialogue and opened new perspectives on the outdoor space.
A key highlight was the panel discussion on the economic importance of art and culture in tourism. Marie Forestier (Host at Hôtel Bon Rivage and Deputy Director of HotellerieSuisse), Christoph Sturny (Director of Montreux-Vevey Tourism), and Stefano Stoll (Director of Images Vevey) discussed how cultural offerings act as travel motivators and what contribution they can make to positioning destinations.
Continuation at Schloss Hünigen: Art as an Experiential Space
Just a few days later, the launch continued at the boutique hotel Schloss Hünigen in Konolfingen. Here too, the exchange between art, tourism, and business was central.
Moderated by Hans R. Amrein (Editor-in-Chief, Hotel Inside), Christoph Schlumpf (SECO, Head of Innotour), Rolf Hohmeister & Serena Bianco (Bad Ragartz), and Simon Flury (BAK Economics AG) discussed the economic effects of art and cultural offerings in tourism. The panel discussion clearly showed that cultural tourism initiatives like the Art Garden Hotels not only create emotional experiences but also make a measurable economic contribution to the regions involved – provided they are strategically and long-term positioned.
Special attention was given to the two exhibition openings in the garden: Pius Morger's "Klanggarten" (Sound Garden) installation created a multi-sensory experiential space that combines nature, sound, and movement. This was complemented by the impressive sculptures "Akrobatin" (Acrobat) and "Blöffsack" (Bluff Sack) by Jürg Ruess, which reinterpret the garden as an exhibition space.
The evening concluded with an aperitif in the garden, culinarily accompanied by the Feuerring and in a relaxed atmosphere that offered space for personal encounters and new ideas.
A Project with Impact for all of Switzerland
The Art Garden Hotels represent a new understanding of hospitality: hotel gardens become places of encounter, inspiration, and cultural participation. This decentralized exhibition not only strengthens individual establishments but also Switzerland as a diverse cultural destination.
The project is designed as a long-term initiative and impressively demonstrates how collaborations between hospitality, art, and tourism can create new experiential spaces – for guests as well as for the local population.
- Press Release Opening Ceremony 21.04.2026 - Hotel Bon Rivage, La Tour-de-Peilz
- Press Release: Grand Opening Ceremony April 24, 2026 - Schloss Hünigen, Konolfingen
