For some time now, luxury tourism has begun to change quantitatively. The prestige or quality of the most distinguished organizations is no longer measured by the number “…”, quite the opposite. In a scenario where the “capitals” of tourism try to evacuate hordes of people in order to somehow remain sustainable, an “impossible” area survives over time as a small oasis where real “luxury” is being able to reach. on that side.

Shelter. This little paradise is located in Switzerland, famous for its mountain huts and secluded hotels. However, the Alp Grüm hotel is “something” different. It is literally a real haven in the middle of nature. Located at an altitude of 2,091 metres, in the Graubeğen region, the accommodation is unique in that it is completely disconnected from the outside world. Ten unique rooms in an area that is also a train station (and terminus).

This isn’t just another slogan. Alp Grüm is isolated from the world 12 hours a day, from 20.00 in the evening to 08.00 in the morning. Since there is no railway line, there is no transportation, and it is a completely peaceful area surrounded by mountains. postcard, glaciers and silence, lots of silence. As Primo Semadeni, the company’s director for the past 18 years, told the BBC, the place is both challenging and a blessing due to its solitude and closeness to nature.

Train to fascinating destination (only 12 hours per day)

It’s luxury when you arrive. Access to Alp Grüm is limited, and part of its appeal lies in the difficulty of finding its gate. There are not even roads leading to the hotel, and there are options to get there by walking, a long walk not recommended in winter, yes or yes, or via the so-called Rhaetian Railway. Winding between the small towns of Pontresina and Poschiavo, this train crosses the Bernina Pass and stops at Alp Grüm station, which is the only way to get there year-round.

The property is located in a magnificent and extraordinary location, between Romany in the north and Italian in the south. Its stone façade, remodeled in 1923, gives the feel of an Italian villa, while the platform restaurant serves local dishes such as pizzoccheri (a type of pasta native to Valtellina in Italy’s Sondrio region).

The hotel where luxury arrives

Railway and history. Both the hotel and the Alp Grüm station have a history, connected to the Bernina Railway, the highest line in the Alps, which opened in 1910. This railway project connecting Switzerland to Italy was revolutionary for its time, both in terms of its shortening and its construction on a larger scale. It shortened travel times and opened the way for tourists and traders on the route, which was previously extremely dangerous, especially in winter.

Over the years, the train continued to operate even in the most adverse conditions, thanks in particular to the purchase of a snow plow in 1910. Today, the Bernina line continues to operate almost uninterrupted, making remote access easier. Alpine region.

Lives in Alp Grüm “Despite the difficulties, the beauty of Alp Grüm remains intact. Nearby glaciers and lakes, such as the Palü Glacier and Palü Lake, offer a natural landscape that hypnotizes visitors,” Semadeni said. The hotel offers unrivaled views from its vantage point, with winding train tracks in the distance and majestic mountains towering above (photos from staying guests are a marvel).

Alp Grüm is against mass tourism. We’ve been talking about this for a long time. Things seem to be changing in tourism and cities for a while now. Tourist behavior may not have worsened compared to the past, the problem is quantity. Overcrowding has increased conflicts between visitors and locals. In cities like Barcelona, ​​authorities have gone so far as to remove bus routes from Google Maps to prevent tourists from displacing residents, while in Venice, daily tariffs have been imposed on tourists to control the flow.

In this situation, concepts like Alp Grüm, where luxury is at the door, seem like a real oasis among “so many” options.

Image | Heaven Chronicle, Hansueli Krapf, Miroslav Volek

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