A top weekend at the Hotel Einstein in Gallusstadt

This autumn is dedicated to Swiss cities. City trips are very popular anyway and why not start in the neighboring city instead of jetting halfway around the world? With the exception of Thun and Zurich, I don’t find my way around any other Swiss city as well as Berlin. Strange, isn’t it?

After getting a taste for Geneva in early summer, this autumn we will explore Lausanne, Basel and Brig, among others. We started the city tour last weekend with a trip to St. Gallen. Apart from the dialect (a sorry to all St. Gallen residents), there are some powerful arguments for a city trip to St. Gallen.

Stroll

The undisputed number 1 attraction is the monastery district. Once one of the most important places of Western science, the complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. A visit to the world-famous baroque hall of the abbey library is a must. The entrance fee for adults is 12 CHF and unfortunately photography is prohibited. Whether for trademark protection reasons or simply because it is not possible to enforce the “flashing forbidden” with all the tourists taking pictures in automatic mode remains open. Nevertheless, the visit is worth it. The hall is a dreamlike contemporary witness from the European Rococo. Equally impressive is the view into the monastery church.

Around the monastery buildings, pretty alleys with spruced-up timber-framed buildings entice you to take a leisurely stroll through the city. Overall, we were surprised at how few people were out and about in the city center. The relaxed atmosphere just animated me to unplanned shopping. My conclusion – St. Gallen is the perfect place to refresh your autumn wardrobe.

Coffee chat at Franz’s

Kafi Franz is one of those places that you take to your heart from the very first moment. Located on Linsenbühlstrasse close to the city centre, an ideal place to give your legs a break and recharge your batteries in the form of cake.

Art and culture

Freshly strengthened, we are prepared for a portion of art and culture. Our walk through the city takes us via Vadianplatz, where there is currently a market, to the Textile Museum. For a long time, the textile industry was the most important driving force in Eastern Switzerland and even today the St. Gallen lace is one of the top products in the textile industry and is worn by well-known personalities. Admission to the Textile Museum also costs 12 CHF. The exhibition focuses on the multifaceted history of the textile industry. On display are historical costumes and fabrics as well as contemporary creations from the latest Akris collection. A maximum of one hour, and then you are through the exhibition. Just around the corner is the “City Lounge” designed by Pipilotti Rist and Carlos Martinez, and also within walking distance is the Gemperli butcher’s shop, where the real St. Gallen Olma bratwurst is sold. Without mustard, of course.

Oasis
of peace close to the city

As a fair-weather alternative to art and culture, I recommend a detour to the Three Ponds. You can easily go up with the funicular from the Mühlegg valley station (located behind Gallusplatz). The funicular works like a lift. Just press the button and it comes off. A total of five artificially created ponds are located to the south above the old town. The persistent high fog got in our way, otherwise there is a great view over the city center from up here. But even with an autumnal blanket of high fog, the atmosphere around the ponds is idyllic.

Interwoven Stories

Some buildings in the city center used to be thriving textile factories. This is also the case with the main building of the Hotel Einstein St. Gallen, which is located less than two minutes from Gallusplatz in a central location. The name of the hotel is not dedicated to Albert Einstein, but to Isaac David Einstein, who made his embroideries here. In 1978, the property was acquired by textile entrepreneur Max Kriemler and, after a renovation phase, converted into a four-star hotel. The hotel has spacious congress rooms and the largest fitness park in the city, which impresses with a special construction – the swimming pool is located on the top floor and can be seen from the lower floors. We prefer the Einstein Pub to the wellness area and start the evening program with a Negroni.

Spitzenküche

What followed the aperitif was a culinary delight par excellence. The gourmet restaurant of the house “Einstein Gourmet” is located on the fifth floor of the hotel and offers a fantastic view over the old town under old wooden beams in a cozy living room ambience. But it’s not just the view that’s great, but also the creations that are served to us. Every single dish is a little work of art and it not only looks good, but also tastes amazing. It’s no wonder that the food here is cooked at the highest level. The sceptres are in the hands of the proven star chefs Sebastian Zier and Moses Ceylan. A top duo! From the wild berry gazpacho to the Wagyu entrecôte to the filigree “carrot” dessert, one surprise after the other and for us the highlight of the weekend.

A culinary contrast program is offered just opposite the hotel. The Stickerei restaurant is the place to go for burger lovers and a good alternative to gourmet cuisine.

Bedded
on lace

The St. Gallen lace not only accompanied us through the city, but is also thematically taken up in the Hotel Einstein. In all rooms, purposeful fabrics are a tribute to the history of the house and the owner. The showpiece is the Textilland Junior Suite, furnished by the St. Gallen textile company Jakob Schlaepfer. My favorite among the materials and fabrics used is the salmon-colored curtain held in gentle waves. It would also look good in my living room at home. We had the honor and were allowed to stay in this great room. Surrounded by noble peaks and with a view of the collegiate church, this is a wonderful base from which to get to know the people of St. Gallen better.

Information about Einstein St. Gallen:

• The overnight price for a Comfort double room is around 350 CHF without breakfast
• The Textilland Junior Suite can only be reserved on request
• There is an extra ladies’ floor – perfect for a relaxed girls’ weekend
• A two-course menu at Einstein Gourmet costs 90 CHF, the complete menu 155 CHF

Time travel

If you visit the abbey library, you will also stumble across the St. Gallen monastery map. This plan forms the basis for a project in Meßkirch (Baden-Württemberg). There, with funds from the 9th century, the monastery town drawn on the famous monastery plan is reconstructed. The Galli campus is open to visitors. I was there last year and find it an exciting addition to the trip to St. Gallen.

Note: Our weekend in St. Gallen was supported by the Hotel Einstein St. Gallen. Thank you very much for this! As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm.