History

Perched high in the Swiss Alps since 1894, Hotel Regina invites you to experience the timeless beauty of the Jungfrau Mountains and Lauterbrunnen Valley. As a proud Swiss Heritage site since 2004, our Victorian-style hotel combines historic elegance with modern comfort.
Whether you’re admiring the picturesque peaks from your room or exploring the village of Wengen, you’ll feel the charm and tranquility that define this extraordinary location.

Each room and suite offers stunning views, ensuring that the first thing you see each morning is the breathtaking natural landscape. After a day of exploring, relax in our Wellness Area with a soothing sauna, hammam, or an indulgent massage, or enjoy a cocktail in the elegant Piano Bar.
For a true culinary treat, visit “Chez Meyer’s,” our fine dining restaurant with 15 Gault Millau points, or “Jack’s Brasserie,” where traditional and innovative dishes are crafted from fresh, local ingredients.

No stay at Hotel Regina is complete without meeting Caramel, our beloved 10-year-old Cocker Spaniel. Owned by Guido and Ariane, the heart and soul behind Hotel Regina, Caramel is a local celebrity among our guests.
His friendly presence and “Walk Caramel to Fight Cancer” initiative, inspired by Amanda, the owners’ daughter, help raise funds for cancer research. Caramel brings joy to our guests, embodying the warmth and hospitality that define Hotel Regina.

Whether you’re here for adventure or relaxation, Hotel Regina offers unforgettable experiences, unparalleled service, and a touch of magic in the Swiss Alps.

The Story of the Regina Hotel in Wengen – Told by Mr. Meyer, Owner and Heir to a Hotel Tradition.

It all began in the second half of the 19th century, when Wengen started attracting travelers. The first three hotels in the resort were all located in Schiltwald, behind Café Mary’s, at the finish line of the Lauberhorn races. This was also the case for Mary’s, a hotel owned by the wife of the local doctor, Marie. Due to the majority of its English-speaking guests, the establishment became known as "Mary’s." It was situated a little further than its current location.

The guests were transported by palanquin or mule to the Scheidegg. At that time, the valley mainly attracted English tourists, as well as writers, musicians, composers, and other artists, all drawn by the region’s accessibility, which did not require crossing high mountain passes. They found inspiration here. Goethe, for example, wrote several poems about the valley’s streams, deeply inspired by the beauty of its enchanting landscapes.

Other renowned artists, including Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and Mendelssohn, were also captivated by the valley’s beauty. Mendelssohn, in fact, spent two years there, drawing inspiration from its landscapes for his music.

When the railway line project was launched, several hotels were built on the Wengen plateau, about 2 km from Schiltwald, including the Hotel Regina, built in 1894. Upon opening, it was sold to the Reinert family for a price of over 115,000 francs, including a large estate. Nearly all the hotels in Wengen were built before 1900, unfortunately marking the end of the three hotels in Schiltwald.

At that time, although the star rating system did not yet exist, a quality classification system was already in place, similar to those used in other prestigious regions, such as northern Italy (the lakes) and the French Riviera. The Palace, the first hotel in the area, was classified as a 5-star hotel, while the Regina (The Queen), the second hotel, was considered a 4-star establishment. The other hotels followed this hierarchy.

World War I still brought in some guests, but it was especially during World War II that the history of Hotel Regina took a darker turn. About 6,000 American soldiers were interned in Wengen at different times. Due to the limited number of beds, many soldiers discreetly escaped to return to the war, fleeing via Lake Geneva and crossing through France, Spain, and Portugal with the help of the Resistance.

Magdalena Reinert, the last owner and manager of the hotel, having no descendants, sold the hotel in 1959 to the Immobilière AG am See company, a subsidiary of Migros. This company also owned the Castel Zuoz and the Regina Interlaken.

The family that took over the management of the hotel in 1959 was that of Jack and Erika Meyer-Oppliger, my parents.

During the first few years, they also managed other hotels during the summer, such as the Regina in Interlaken (now a hotel school) and the Titlis Hotel in Engelberg, which unfortunately burned down a few years later.

Over the years, as the summer season developed, it became difficult to manage another hotel alongside. In 1984, after their retirement, the Immobilière AG am See company offered my wife Ariane Meyer-Biollat and me, the opportunity to take over the management of the hotel. This allowed us to fulfill a great dream, as we were already involved in the hospitality industry.

Graduating from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, I gained international experience in India, in New Delhi with the Oberoi Group, then in South Africa, in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, where I worked as F&B Director. My career then led me to Crete, to Ikaros Village.

My wife, Ariane Meyer-Boillat, graduated from the art school in Bienne, worked as a decorator, a guide in France, an accountant in Johannesburg, and opened a restaurant in Port Elizabeth before joining the management of Ikaros Village in Crete.

In 1984, we took over the management of the Hotel Regina in Wengen. Two years later, we had the opportunity to acquire it. Since that moment, we have worked with passion and determination to make the Hotel Regina thrive, welcoming travelers from all over the world every year. Each season brought its share of wonderful encounters and unforgettable memories.

In 2024, we are preparing to pass the torch. We have appointed a new director and entrusted the operation of Hotel Regina to Sophos Hotels, a hotel management company, which will continue the operation of the Hotel Regina in our name.

We are proud of our 65 years at the helm of this iconic hotel, the Regina Wengen, the most beautiful hotel in the most beautiful location.