Deeply relaxed: a weekend in the Waldhaus Flims feels so good

Who doesn’t dream of a small, fine time-out from time to time, where there is nothing else to do but to have a good time doing nothing. That’s exactly what we did a few weeks ago (on a similarly rainy Sunday as today) in the venerable Waldhaus Flims, which is more youthful than ever after a complete face-lift.

Old lady refreshed

Nestled in a spacious park, the Waldhaus Flims looks back on a proud 140 years of hotel history. The origins of the hotel complex can be traced back to the 1860s, when the first building complex was opened as a spa house and steadily expanded in the following years. Over the past 140 years, the hotel business has had its fair share of ups and downs. There was the glorious Belle Epoque around the turn of the century with the construction of an Art Nouveau casino building, followed by the Golden Twenties with the first post bus ride to Flims. But also difficult war years, changes of ownership and the constant challenge of keeping up with the changing times. This is still true today, and so the Waldhaus Flims Alpine Grand Hotel & Spa (as it has been called since 2016) temporarily closed the facility from August 2016 to the beginning of 2017 and splendidly renovated all rooms, including the Waldhaus Spa. I think the result is successful, even if a little more of the past might shine through. I think it’s worth mentioning that the Waldhaus Flims has positioned itself as an annual operation since its reopening. Ideal for those who want to escape the high fog grey of the Swiss Plateau in late autumn. The classics Lake Cauma and Lake Cresta offer a beautiful backdrop for leisurely hikes well into November.

Deluxe Overnight

The hotel complex has the right room for almost every taste. The Grand Hotel offers 5-star rooms. The 4-star superior category is offered in Villa Silvana and the 4-star category in Chalet Belmot. We stayed in one of the newly designed deluxe double rooms at the Grand Hotel. The red carpet is striking (in Villa Silvana the colors are more subtle), but overall the ambience is harmonious.

Linger in the Waldhaus Park

A relaxing day at the Waldhaus Flims starts with a hearty breakfast in the restaurant The Grand. This applies to all hotel guests – no matter in which building you are staying. The breakfast buffet convinces with many regional products and it is worth planning enough time for extensive morning feasting. To digest it, it is best to walk across the park afterwards. Or take a look at the trouvailles in the hotel museum when it rains. By the way, there are no wet feet here. Above ground, the buildings are connected by a filigree arcade (which echoes wonderfully) and underground by a tunnel system. And if your stomach is rumbling after exploring, you can either sit down on the beautiful sun terrace of the Grand Hotel or sit down at a cozy corner table in the Grand restaurant and order the recommended Waldhaus burger.

Just be – the Waldhaus Spa

The Waldhaus Flims is one of the best wellness hotels in Europe and deserves it. Visually, the modern building convinces with lots of glass and quartzite, which clearly stands out from the historic buildings all around. With an indoor pool, outdoor adventure pool, natural swimming pond, various saunas and steam baths, you will find everything your wellness heart desires. The range of treatments is just as extensive. I was able to enjoy an 80-minute gemstone massage, which was really good for me after the stressful book project Finnish. “Deeply relaxed” aptly describes my state after the massage. And the condition continued when lingering on the sun loungers in the pleasantly warm indoor pool area with a view of the green park landscape.

Jugendstil Jewel

The Art Nouveau pavilion with its magnificent ballroom and various modern meeting rooms is equally popular with wedding parties and companies. But even as an individual guest, it is worth taking a look at this historic gem. On the one hand, there is the stylish bar “Chadafö” (with live piano music) and right next to it the casual restaurant Epoca. At Epoca, dishes with a Grisons twist are on the menu, including classics such as capuns and raviuls da trin. We opted for the homemade black pudding and pickled char as an appetizer and ordered saddle of venison with elderflower ravioli as well as fillet and milken of veal. If you appreciate regional cuisine with a twist, you’ve come to the right place.

… And if you ever want to go outside

Then countless kilometres of hiking trails are waiting to be discovered around the Waldhaus Flims. We already reported here three years ago about the classic from Lake Cauma across the Flims Forest to Lake Cresta – always a nice tour. Of course, this includes a detour to the Ruinaulta viewing platform with the most magnificent view of the Anterior Rhine. Ambitious hikers can lace up their hiking boots directly in the Waldhaus Flims and start marching. For example, uphill along the Flims waterway to the Segnesboden with the Tschingelhörner in the background. Splendid! And if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, I recommend the Pinut via ferrata near Flims. You won’t get bored.

Practical information about the Waldhaus Flims

• Deluxe double room incl. breakfast from 414 CHF/night
• You can reach the Waldhaus Flims from Chur train station by post bus in 30 minutes
• Lake Cauma is within walking distance

Note: the Waldhaus Flims has invited us to this stay – all opinions and impressions are, as always, ours.

Merken