The Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina, Switzerland has revealed 15 newly refreshed guestrooms crafted by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Housed within a historic volume of the hotel that dates back to the 19th century, the updated accommodations feature a contemporary flair featuring calming tones inspired by the landscape.
“With every new project, I look at the existing architecture, the environmental characteristics, the local people’s way of life and typical construction materials,” Rochon says. “I respect the village’s history and its traditions and then I hope to create something that will amaze the hotel guests that choose and love this property and make them like it even more.”
A residential-style ambiance characterizes the upgraded spaces—four of which can be linked to accommodate families. Guestrooms on the first floor are lined with oak flooring, while new carpeting was installed in upper-level chambers. Black and white nature photography adorns the walls to instill a sense of place across the Alpine retreat and complement beige and terracotta tones that evoke the paints of traditional Engadine houses. Shades of blue, reminiscent of sunny Swiss skies and lakes, are also featured in select rooms. Engadine homes are channeled again in walk-in wardrobes that recall sgraffito décor, and lightly waxed spruce echoes local coniferous forests in living areas. Gray granite used for washbasins and bathtubs are sourced from Bergell, further reinforcing the influence of nature on the design.
