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Switzerland · Episode #5 · 19.12.2025 · 28 Min

Andreas Magnus, Kempinski Palace Engelberg

Andreas MagnusKempinski Palace Engelberg
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Aufgenommen: Kempinski Palace Engelberg, Engelberg

Standbild aus der Episode mit Andreas Magnus Switzerland28 Min

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„I always say we have been Gastgeber or hosts for 904 years, because the monastery here is 904 years old.“

Andreas Magnus, 13:35

Weihnachts-Edition von HOTEL-PODCAST Switzerland, auf Englisch aufgenommen im Kempinski Palace Engelberg. General Manager Andreas Magnus erzählt, warum Weihnachten für ihn aus seiner Kindheit in Tromsø kommt, wie das Haus 1904 als Grand Hotel Winterhaus startete und was vom Festtagsprogramm bis zum Fondue-Chalet geplant ist. Dazu sein Weg in die Hotellerie, das zweite Haus Frutt Mountain Resort und der Ausblick auf 2026.

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Kernaussagen

  1. Weihnachten aus Tromsø: Magnus ist nördlich des Polarkreises in Tromsø aufgewachsen, wo es im Winter nur vier bis fünf Stunden gräuliches Licht gibt. Dekoration, Kerzen und Festlichkeit waren dort der Weg, Licht ins Haus zu holen, und diese Begeisterung nimmt er an jede Station mit.
  2. Von zwölf bleiben vier: Das Haus eröffnete 1904 als Grand Hotel Winterhaus und war die erste Wintertourismus-Adresse in Engelberg. Von den zwölf Luxus-Grandhotels im Ort sind acht Gebäude verschwunden, vier Belle-Époque-Bauten stehen noch.
  3. Palace Post statt Flyer: Herumliegende Flyer und Zettel mag er nicht, deshalb erscheint das Hotelprogramm als Zeitung. Die Texte kommen aus dem Team, das Ziel ist professionelles Storytelling für Haus und Destination.
  4. Zwei Häuser, eine Leitung: Magnus führt auch das Frutt Mountain Resort auf 2000 Metern in Melchsee-Frutt, Obwalden: zwei Lodges über einen Tunnel verbunden, eine familienfreundlich, eine quasi adults only, ski-in und ski-out.
  5. Bücher für 2026: Für die ersten fünf Monate 2026 ist der Buchungsstand stark, die Partnerschaften mit Reiseveranstaltern und MICE-Agenturen sollen weiterlaufen. Küchenchef Stefanos bringt das Haus von der französisch-schweizerischen Brasserie Richtung Mittelmeer.

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Transkript

Transkript öffnenTranskript schließen28 Min · Ronald M. Arndt und Andreas Magnus

Automatisch transkribiert mit AssemblyAI, Sprecher automatisch zugeordnet. Nicht redigiert.

  1. 00:00
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Grüezi and a warm welcome to this very special Hotel Podcast Switzerland episode, this time in English, and it's going to be a Christmas edition. Today we are in Engelberg in one of Switzerland's most majestic Alpine luxury 5-star hotels at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg, and sitting next to me is Andreas Magnus, the general manager. Welcome, Andreas.

  2. 00:27
    Andreas Magnus

    Very warm welcome and thank you for having me.

  3. 00:30
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Andreas, just for you especially, um, I wear the red dress and that's also a key element at Kempinski. Uh, you have the ladies in red, but, um, the color red is also the, the color of Christmas. And if you ask the staff members here, everyone says that, um, Christmas is a very special season for you. What means— what does Christmas mean to you and why it's so important.

  4. 00:55
    Andreas Magnus

    So before we get there, well, again, once again, thank you very much for taking time to being with us. We appreciate having the chance, uh, to, to host you here in Engelberg. Um, yes, red is the perfect color for Kempinski because of our ladies in red, which is a very important part of our, uh, let's call it brand identity. Um, but at the same time, you're fitting perfectly well because that's also the, the, the theme color of our decoration this year. We went with that, you know, Ralph Lauren Christmas, which is very much trending these days. And, and of course, as you can see from behind me, it's all about the the red and the green and the gold. But why is Christmas so special for me and what does it mean for me? Well, it is one of my favorite times from my childhood. As you might be aware, I grew up in the north of Norway in a city called Tromsø, which is above the Arctic Circle. And in the winter, there is actually no sun. So the light that you get is maybe 4 or 5 hours of kind of this grayish bluish light that you get. And therefore, we need to find ways how to bring light into our homes and Christmas then becomes a very, you know, how do you say, important opportunity to bring a lot of decoration, a lot of candles, a lot of festivity and so forth. And I guess having, you know, grown up with this, you know, I've always taken it with me. And whenever I've traveled abroad, I've tried to bring my passion for Christmas with me.

  5. 02:17
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So you lived close to the Santa Claus actually, right? North Pole.

  6. 02:21
    Andreas Magnus

    That's right. Yeah, yeah. No, he miraculously always made his way. I don't know if he has some help from my parents, but yeah, he always made it.

  7. 02:27
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So we are sitting in front of this gorgeous Christmas tree decorated with numerous angel ornaments. Beautiful. And I just attended the Christmas tree lighting, the Lichterfest. It's always the kickoff event of the Christmas season. Tell us, what other highlights do you have during the festive season here at Kempinski Palace Engelberg?

  8. 02:52
    Andreas Magnus

    So it's funny that you mentioned the angels. Engelberg being beautiful, you know, Angel Mountain in English, or Engelberg. We thought it would be fitting now to, to really clad our trees almost exclusively with angels. I'm happy that you like it. We have lots going on this Christmas here with us. Everything is about craftsmanship. So you have gastronomy, you have performing arts, you have all different kinds of, how do you say, special moments that we try to create on the different dates. We will have a pop-up restaurant where we're actually inviting a Japanese chef to come in and visit.

  9. 03:28
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    When is it exactly?

  10. 03:29
    Andreas Magnus

    So that's going to be from the 25th to the 4th. So it's just over the most—

  11. 03:32
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    December to January peak period, let's say.

  12. 03:34
    Andreas Magnus

    Right. Uh, and then we have our beautiful chalet outside. Have you had the chance to visit yet?

  13. 03:39
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Uh, yes, inside, but I still have to have the taste of fondue, actually.

  14. 03:43
    Andreas Magnus

    Okay, well, you'll have to—

  15. 03:44
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    the Chalet Ruiner.

  16. 03:45
    Andreas Magnus

    You'll have to bring your family. It's a wonderful experience. And, uh, yeah, combining these type of, how do you say, seasonal outlets, pop-up outlets, different wine and dines and so forth, uh, we have a lot on our culinary agenda. And then of course other, you know, events as well that we try to, to, to curate.

  17. 04:00
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So Christmas is celebrated here in a very special way. Sure. So with all these Christmas traditions, one could think that you've been here forever. But actually, as it looks right now, the Kempinski Palace Engelberg has been reopened for only 4 and a half years ago. But the hotel itself has a century-long hotel history. I mean, we love hotel stories. Tell us more about the legacy of this grand hotel. Absolutely. No, you're right.

  18. 04:32
    Andreas Magnus

    We are, we are, we just celebrated our 4th year this summer. I celebrated 5 years with the property now this week, but the property has been here for a long time and it first opened as Grand Hotel Winterhaus and that was in 1904. And when it's, when it then opened, it was actually the first winter tourism destination in Engelberg and it was part of a larger complex. So there was 2 other palace hotels attached to it together also with our ballroom, which was a freestanding ballroom at the time. But these hotels were not alone in Engelberg.

  19. 05:02
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    There was in total 12 luxury grand hotels.

  20. 05:06
    Andreas Magnus

    And unfortunately, we are the only one that have kind of, you know, stood the test of time and now been able to reopen again in its former glory. You know, during the First and Second World War had a big impact on the destination. They were not able to recover after that, unfortunately. Therefore, 8 of those 12 historical buildings are no longer with us, but there's still 4, you know, Belle Époque buildings which are still with us.

  21. 05:31
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    There is a book called Feenpaläste in Engelberg, right? You have them in the hotel rooms.

  22. 05:37
    Andreas Magnus

    Sure.

  23. 05:38
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah. So for all more details, you can read the book.

  24. 05:42
    Andreas Magnus

    Exactly. So just book a room and then we'll throw in a book here.

  25. 05:46
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    How did you manage to preserve the soul of the hotel?

  26. 05:51
    Andreas Magnus

    Well, I would love, of course, to take, you know, claim credit for that alone, but I cannot. I have to say, first of all, the developers, the owners, the team that was behind the project phase, they did a fantastic job. So they did their homework. They knew all the history about the property. Also, part of the project lead was the former general manager of when the hotel was a smaller 4-star property before it went into project phase. And also everyone who was involved with the project, if it was the architect, the interior decorator, the contractors which built it, all the Handwerker and the people who actually contributed to the finished product as it stands today, everyone was convinced and everyone was invested and engaged in the property. And therefore, I really think that the final product that they created really kept that, that, that, you know, history and that, how do you say, together. Exactly. Yeah. The heritage.

  27. 06:47
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Great. Yeah. Great stories. We also want to know you better, Andreas. Want to hear more about you. You've been here from the beginning, probably during the pre-opening. You— I mean, Kempinski Palace Engelberg is your baby. Tell us your best of hotel stories of the past 4 years.

  28. 07:10
    Andreas Magnus

    Wow, it would be very difficult to single out a separate moment, but I think the day when we did the grand opening, that was a very, very special moment. We had a very short pre-opening, only about 6 months till I arrived here and until we opened. So it was a very intense period. A lot of work went through. Luckily, we were able to get really, really great people on board from the beginning. So the opening day was a great moment. And then there's different, how do you say, highlights, like for example, the first time we did did our tree lighting ceremony. The second time when we did it and saw that actually we can reproduce it and create a nice tradition, and then hosting all different kind of guests and groups and seeing guests coming back, seeing them return. There are so many moments, I wouldn't be able to single out one.

  29. 07:57
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So it was, yeah, just to come back to the Christmas tree lighting, I found it was remarkable that you bring all people together. So locals from Engelberg, hotel guests, but also staff members, and everyone brought his, her families and And, uh, just beautiful to see everyone around and together. So you're doing a great job. Um, I first noticed you back then because of an article, uh, inside the Hotelier Magazine.

  30. 08:25
    Andreas Magnus

    Yeah.

  31. 08:25
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah. Um, where the general manager is also editor-in-chief. So that was the title. And, um, so talking about the Palace Post, are you, do you like, you like to write as well? How, how did, uh, the idea of the Palace Post come about?

  32. 08:43
    Andreas Magnus

    Honestly, much of the writing, in there comes from our team and from, you know, people who we work with to contribute. But, you know, when it comes to the idea and the conceptual phase, well, I love storytelling and I think it's an important part of any hotel. I think also for us, it was particularly important to get our story out there and to do it in a professional way because of the fact that Engelberg being, you know, a great destination with so much to offer still needs to be better shared and to be more spoken about throughout. And therefore, wanted to have a proper medium to do so. Another reason also is the fact that I don't like very much little flyers and papers laying around. So if you're going to present what you're doing and what's coming up, what would you like to stimulate the guests to contribute and be part of? We found that it was a better way to do this in a kind of a newspaper, in an elegant kind of qualitative way. So that's why.

  33. 09:45
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    No, it's, um, I, when I'm here, I'm often in the Engelberg Tal. I always grab the newest one of the Palace Post. Um, you have an amazing hotel career. So to inspire young talents in the future, young, uh, future hoteliers, can you tell us more about your career path? And, uh, maybe was there a key moment? Sure. Uh, when you decided to become, or when you decide to become a hotelier?

  34. 10:12
    Andreas Magnus

    I guess to be able to tell that story, I have to kind of go a little bit back to the beginning. I moved to the States from Norway when I was 14 together with my family. My father is a priest for the Norwegian Church, and he was appointed in New Orleans at a Norwegian church there which dealt with seafarers and Norwegians abroad. And part of the service that they delivered was very much creating a community for people abroad. And already then I was kind of, you know, dilly-dallying behind my dad and supporting and helping. So I guess that was the first step, let's say, as to how I was exposed to hospitality. Then later when I moved back to Norway, I finished up my gymnasium and so forth and wasn't really sure what to do. Wanted to deal with people, wanted to travel, wanted to be exposed to an international setting, and therefore I applied to a hotel school in Switzerland. But I would say a key moment which kind of grabbed me was actually after my first or during my first internship. I was at one of the palace hotels in the French part of Switzerland where I realized how much I could contribute if I put my mind to it. So I think that was kind of the moment. And where has the journey taken from then? Well, it's pretty much every continent except for South America and Australia. Worked in Asia, worked in Eastern Europe and Russia, worked in Africa, Middle East, of course, the US and in Europe.

  35. 11:47
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    It's the best job to see the world.

  36. 11:50
    Andreas Magnus

    100%. Absolutely.

  37. 11:52
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So every leader has his own, her own style. What would you say from your perspective? Do you place— where do you place particular value on?

  38. 12:02
    Andreas Magnus

    I place particular value on innovation and being relentless about always trying to recreate oneself and trying to improve, you know, the services that we deliver. I also pay particular attention when it comes to being flexible and working together as a team. For me, that is extremely important. And, you know, of course, the most important perhaps is the fact that, you know, people around me, that they are genuine, they're engaged, that they like to be part of what they're doing and that they're doing it with passion.

  39. 12:35
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah. So you moved from Thailand to central Switzerland. Um, must be a big cultural and lifestyle change moving from, uh, a Thai metropolis of millions to a rather smaller Swiss mountain village. Um, what do you appreciate about life in Engelberg, or how did you adapt? How do you like it?

  40. 12:58
    Andreas Magnus

    Well, I'm a, I'm a family father. I have 2 kids, uh, now, uh, 8 and 10. When we arrived here, they were, uh, 3 and 5. So obviously moving from a bustling metropolis to a quiet village—

  41. 13:12
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    It's heaven here.

  42. 13:13
    Andreas Magnus

    Was just the ticket. And my kids, they love it here. They are super integrated. My daughter, who was 3 when we moved here, I would say she's more Swiss than anything else. And, you know, Engelberg has an exceptional offering.

  43. 13:28
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Does she speak Swiss German?

  44. 13:29
    Andreas Magnus

    Yeah. And she's teaching me words every once in a while.

  45. 13:32
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Perfect. What does Engelberg stand for you?

  46. 13:35
    Andreas Magnus

    If you would have to narrow it down, authenticity. You know, we are not a typical tourism destination that has, let's say it, the Gucci, Pucci, Dior shops in our little village street. This is not about just catering to touristic clients. This is really a living village, which is authentic, where when you walk in and you see people here in the village, it is people who live here, who are from here, who have made It's just their home. Uh, and I think this also comes a lot to the original story of Engelberg. Um, Engelberg, uh, I always say we have been Gastgeber or hosts for 904 years because the monastery here is 904 years old.

  47. 14:23
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah.

  48. 14:23
    Andreas Magnus

    And, uh, as you know, during the time, uh, you know, during the Middle Ages, monasteries were places where people could seek refuge and, and the monks were the original hosts, uh, you could say. And, um, I guess this has, has has impacted the DNA of the destination. And as it now has, you know, flourished into hospitality and tourism since the last 120, 130 years, uh, you know, this, this original DNA has, of course, a lot to say.

  49. 14:49
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So yeah, it has a, a lot of culture and DNA as, as well. Um, is, um, yeah, low-key, I would say, right? Low-key. It's one of the, the best words. Uh, it's one of the words 2025. Okay. Have you read it? Okay. No, I didn't. Did you?

  50. 15:06
    Andreas Magnus

    It was in the magazine.

  51. 15:08
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So it's really low-key.

  52. 15:09
    Andreas Magnus

    Low-key. All right.

  53. 15:10
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah, sure. I ask everyone to give me their personal bucket list. What are your 3 top Engelberg experiences? Maybe focus on now it's Christmas, so maybe winter. I know there are lots of different experiences and highlights, but maybe 100%.

  54. 15:29
    Andreas Magnus

    It all depends on when you're coming during the year. You know, for me, one of my favorites is, is, is visiting Führenalp, which is in the back of the village. It's a beautiful little peak experience, which there's only one gondola for 6 seats that takes you up. There's a great restaurant which is really authentically, you know, run. I also, I love sledging with my kids. So going to one of the areas sledging, either if it's on the Bruni side or on the Gerschniab side. And, you know, another experience I would say, which I love doing now, especially during the winter, is, you know, basically doing a a slope run, you know, from, let's say, all the way up on top on Stand and, you know, down to Trübsee or from Jochpass all the way down and down the Talabfahrt as well.

  55. 16:17
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Are you a skier or a snowboarder?

  56. 16:18
    Andreas Magnus

    I'm a skier, yeah. But I used to snowboard. I also used to telemark in the past, so I did it all. But right now I'm mostly skiing.

  57. 16:26
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Perfect. What does a perfect stay at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg look like?

  58. 16:31
    Andreas Magnus

    So also here, it really depends on what occasion you're coming for and on what time of the year that you're coming. But I would say it should definitely— now, if you're coming this time of the year, if you're coming for a weekend, it should definitely include a lot of wellness, a lot of winter—

  59. 16:48
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Rooftop. Rooftop.

  60. 16:49
    Andreas Magnus

    Exactly. Rooftop wellness area. So a lot of wellness, great gourmet experiences either in our main restaurant or in our Fondue Chalet. A beautiful cocktail by the fireplace out in our—

  61. 17:01
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    at the Palace Bar.

  62. 17:02
    Andreas Magnus

    Exactly. And also, of course, just, you know, relaxing moments perhaps in your room and, you know, with a little bit of peace and quiet.

  63. 17:11
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    And that's a key experience here at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg. When you're inside the room and you sit on your balcony and you have this beautiful view to the Kurpark. You're not only the general manager of the Kempinski Palace Engelberg, but also of the Frutt Mountain Resort. So just talking a little bit also about the Frutt Mountain Resort?

  64. 17:33
    Andreas Magnus

    So the Frutt Mountain Resort, if you haven't yet visited, it is one of those destinations where I've been going there now for 5 years and it doesn't matter. Every time I go, I'm taking at least 1 or 2 pictures of the scenery because it is so breathtaking. So it's sitting up on 2,000 meters elevation in Melchsee-Frutt, which is also part of Obwalden. It sits, you know, in front of a lake, which is stunning during summer and also equally so during the winter. It is above the tree line, so there are no trees up there, and you would call it a ski-in, ski-out. So it's basically in the slopes itself. It's a beautiful combination of 2 different lodges that are connected by a tunnel and offering fantastic wellness experiences and great gourmet experiences.

  65. 18:22
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah, and 2, you even have 2 spas, you have everything double, kids.

  66. 18:25
    Andreas Magnus

    So you have one lodge which is very family-friendly and one which I would say is more quasi adults only in a way. It's not classified as such. And therefore you have a little, you have an experience for whichever guest journey that you are opting in for. If you're opting in for a family journey or, you know, a couple travel or so whatnot.

  67. 18:45
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    I've been up on Maesifut at the Furtmann Resort. Not yet with the kids, but we're planning with the kids and the scenery is amazing. Perfect for videographers, photographers, and yeah, also for fishing. Ja, right. True. Um, you have been with Kempinski for over 14 years, and now, um, I recognize also that it's one of the jewels of Kempinski Hotels. And just recently, um, Barbara Muckermann, um, joined as CEO in 2024. What is the exchange with Barbara Muckermann, and what can we expect for the future of Kempinski? With her bringing fresh wind?

  68. 19:27
    Andreas Magnus

    Sure. No, I think, you know, she's been with us now for a year and a half. She's doing a fantastic job. You know, there's a lot of strategic work going on behind the scenes about, how do you say, you know, a reconceptualization, I would say, of the product. Also a realignment of the strategy when it comes to development and growth of the properties and how we will want to acquire new properties as well. Well. Uh, what I admire about her is really her strategic vision, uh, which is, you know, I, I've been missing that for a while, and I'm really—

  69. 20:01
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    big picture.

  70. 20:02
    Andreas Magnus

    Yeah. And she has a very clear understanding of what is luxury and, and how, uh, luxury travelers, uh, um, you know, tick and what they're looking for. And I think really, you know, I think we're in very, very good hands. So I'm excited about the future, but equally so about the past.

  71. 20:15
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    I mean, almost 15 years, I wouldn't have changed a Maybe, you know, I'm also attached to Kempinski because I used— I had one of my best traineeships at Adlon Kempinski Berlin, so one of my best times. For you, what makes Kempinski special?

  72. 20:34
    Andreas Magnus

    So, the reason why I joined Kempinski in the first place, I always tell this to team members when we're doing orientation, I joined them because of their fantastic approach to developing talent. It was known in the industry. I had good friends of mine working for the company, and I really enjoyed the fact that when they were talking about the hotel where they were working, they were not talking only about the hotel, they were talking about the group because they were part of a journey with a group and not just with a hotel, which I think is very different. Secondly, now as to why did I stay with the group, why did I stay with them all these years? Now it's about values, and it's about making sure that the values that a company stands for are aligned with your own. And there I can really say, you know, the Kempinski values, which are everything is about, you know, putting people first. It's about being straightforward, being honest. It's about creating traditions. It's about this European flair. It's about entrepreneurial performance. You know, there's so much there which I feel now aligns with my own values, and that's really why I've stayed with them all these years.

  73. 21:41
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Now, during Christmas time, we are grateful, we look back, and it's the end of the year. But let's talk about the future. What are your ambitions and wishes for next year, or what are highlights of next year?

  74. 21:56
    Andreas Magnus

    Well, next year is a great year because we're going to be celebrating 5 years anniversary for the podcast.

  75. 22:00
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Birthday, 5th birthday.

  76. 22:01
    Andreas Magnus

    Yes, that's true. And hoping to be able to invite you back and visit us when, when that comes about. That's going to come out in June, and we're looking forward to that already. We formed the committee, which is hard at work now, starting to plan it. But no, I mean, joke aside, it's going to be a great year. We're actually very positive about 2026. Business on the books for the first 5 months is looking really strong. We're expecting also our ongoing partnerships with all different kinds of stakeholders like tour operators, like MICE agencies and so forth to continue to flourish in '26. So yeah, Looking forward to drive the property to new heights, looking forward to celebrating milestones, and hopefully—

  77. 22:44
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    A new chef? You have a new chef?

  78. 22:46
    Andreas Magnus

    We have a new chef, but I mean, he's not only now in TINY SPACE, but he's already been with us now for about 4 or 5 months. Chef Stefanos is doing a great job. He's joining us from Central Switzerland. He's been in Central Switzerland now for about 10, 12 years, and he's doing really, really well. Launching his new menu, if I'm not mistaken, on the 18th of December. So, you know, we're going from now being more French-Swiss brasserie to, let's say, a little bit more Mediterranean in our approach.

  79. 23:16
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So, because he's from Greece, he's Greek.

  80. 23:18
    Andreas Magnus

    That's correct. So it's not only tzatziki, but I mean, it's going to be definitely some, some, some new influences which we haven't had in the past.

  81. 23:25
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    And he will definitely also have his signature dishes and telling his stories. Of course. Also, there's the opening of the Titlis Tower.

  82. 23:36
    Andreas Magnus

    That's right.

  83. 23:36
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    True.

  84. 23:37
    Andreas Magnus

    And also a great, uh, great, great thing which is happening next year. So that is happening, uh, also end of May, beginning of June, uh, following a more than $150 million investment or Swiss franc investment, uh, and, and a, a great work together with Herzog de Meuron, which is the, the world-renowned architect. Uh, their first phase is completed with this is the re— the remake and the, how do you say, the reconceptualization of the, of the tower up on Titlis. Now the next phase comes in '28, '29, which is going to be the completion of the new mountain station up on Titlis. But we believe that—

  85. 24:10
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So it's not finished yet?

  86. 24:12
    Andreas Magnus

    Not finished yet, no. But the first phase is done. And already that, you know, our guests and travelers and visitors to Engelberg, they will be able to get a feel for and, and, and, and yeah.

  87. 24:22
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Very exciting. Very exciting.

  88. 24:24
    Andreas Magnus

    Yeah.

  89. 24:25
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Um, I also have a— I mean, you have lots of traditions, but I also do have traditions.

  90. 24:30
    Andreas Magnus

    So tell us.

  91. 24:30
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    One of the traditions at the Hotel Podcast format is I've asked so far everyone about their favorite song. Well, if there would be a playlist, like a soundtrack of the Kempinski Palace Engelberg, what song would go on this playlist? It's a Christmas song, probably.

  92. 24:52
    Andreas Magnus

    So I'm not sure if I can narrow it down to a song, but if I was going to, how do you say, you know, put the spirit of the hotel into a couple of performers right now, if I could could mesh them together, I would take a little bit of Frank Sinatra, probably a little bit of Michael Bublé, you know, that Christmas style. And then I would add in my—

  93. 25:13
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Michael Bublé.

  94. 25:16
    Andreas Magnus

    Perhaps. But another one which I really, you know, I'm kind of getting into now just due to a recent experience is Rampa from Kindermusik. I was never into it, but now they just did the concert up on Gerschnyarp. No, sorry, on Trübsee.

  95. 25:30
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    I have to listen to it.

  96. 25:33
    Andreas Magnus

    It was really cool. So a really cool vibe. So if you If you take that, mesh it up with the 2 that I mentioned before, I think you would get exactly what we're looking for right now.

  97. 25:42
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    So now, as it is the Christmas edition, Andreas, of course I have a gift.

  98. 25:47
    Andreas Magnus

    Christmas?

  99. 25:48
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Oh no. Of course.

  100. 25:49
    Andreas Magnus

    Okay. Wow, look at that.

  101. 25:51
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    It's quite heavy.

  102. 25:52
    Andreas Magnus

    Wow, that is massive.

  103. 25:54
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    You should open it. Okay. Somehow.

  104. 26:01
    Andreas Magnus

    Did you decorate this yourself?

  105. 26:03
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yes, yes.

  106. 26:04
    Andreas Magnus

    That is very pretty.

  107. 26:06
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    It's quite heavy.

  108. 26:07
    Andreas Magnus

    So if my florist decides to resign, I will ask you to join me.

  109. 26:12
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    I love to decorate.

  110. 26:13
    Andreas Magnus

    Okay. So you have hidden talents.

  111. 26:16
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah.

  112. 26:17
    Andreas Magnus

    Wow. So what is this now? This is beautiful. It's— I guess I should open it.

  113. 26:24
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    There are 2.

  114. 26:25
    Andreas Magnus

    Throw it for the camera.

  115. 26:27
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yes. So, yeah.

  116. 26:28
    Andreas Magnus

    I'm not sure not to break them, but—

  117. 26:29
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    2 angels.

  118. 26:30
    Andreas Magnus

    All right, so wow, look at that.

  119. 26:35
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Okay, you have 2 of them. So you can choose, they protect you, or one is the good one, the good angel and the bad angel. And if you have to make a decision, you choose.

  120. 26:47
    Andreas Magnus

    I guess you have one of each, right?

  121. 26:50
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Yeah. So for, I don't know, the cellar or the office.

  122. 26:54
    Andreas Magnus

    Very kind. I guess I'll put this in my office and then. Yeah, I'll have to point at which angel is coming out depending on the day, you know.

  123. 27:01
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Exactly.

  124. 27:02
    Andreas Magnus

    Okay, perfect. Well, it's very kind. Thank you so much.

  125. 27:04
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    And now we are already at the end of this Christmas Hotel Podcast. Thank you so much, Andreas.

  126. 27:08
    Andreas Magnus

    Thank you, Eva.

  127. 27:09
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    Thank you. Um, lots of success for, for you and your team. And today we learned more about Kempinski Palace Engelberg and why you should visit soon. Uh, the next Hotel Podcast Switzerland is in the making, already planned, and I look forward having you soon back. Also to you, Merry Merry Christmas!

  128. 27:30
    Andreas Magnus

    Merry Christmas!

  129. 27:31
    Eva (Host, Nachname nicht genannt)

    And bye! Auf Wiedersehen!

  130. 27:33
    Andreas Magnus

    Wiedersehen!