ICOMOS Prize "Historic Hotel of the Year 2019"

On 12 November 2018, the Grand Hôtel des Rasses & Wellness was awarded the title of "Historic Hotel of the Year 2019". The year of its 120th anniversary.

The award ceremony occurred in the festive setting of the Grand Hôtel des Rasses & Wellness, in the presence of the President and members of ICOMOS Switzerland, the local authorities and the management of BOAS Gestion SA, the hotel group to which the establishment belongs.

The Grand Hotel´s many features convinced the ICOMOS jury, composed of specialists, which performed an audit on 6 June 2018 in the presence of Mr Russi, founder and director of BOAS Gestion SA, Mr Zahno, head of the management department at BCO SA, Ms Lüthi Graff, historian, archivist and director of Swiss Tourism Heritage and Mr Bez, director of the establishment. Indeed, the experts certified the perfect state of preservation of this 19th century mansion and its authentic charm.

The audit allowed the ICOMOS experts to discover the hotel during an in-depth tour, including the historical rooms, each one decorated in three different styles, as well as the most concealed parts of the hotel.

The works initiated in this residence were always performed with the contribution of the Vaud heritage, with the utmost respect for the site and the desire to preserve its authenticity. Over the years, the hotel management has taken special care to contract regional companies to perform the renovation work.

On the other hand, the Grand Hôtel des Rasses is ideally located in the heart of the Vaud Jura, at an altitude of 1,200 metres. It benefits from a splendid setting and a magnificent view of the Alps and the Mont Blanc mountain.

A single meeting with the hotel's director, Mr Patrice Bez, was sufficient to capture his dedication and passion for his hotel. Originally from Sainte-Croix / L'Auberson, Mr Bez has been managing the hotel since November 2015. The staff of the Grand Hotel is also in perfect harmony with the atmosphere of the residence.

Finally, the restaurant "Belle Époque", built in 1913, boasts an extraordinary architectural style with its period parquet floor and chandeliers. At the same time, the current Bistro "La Boite à Musique", originally established as "Le Bazard du Jura", offering souvenirs and postcards, was converted into a restaurant in the 1950s and, subsequently, into a nightclub in the 1980s. In 2017, the management reopened the bistro in a simple and authentic setting, offering simple and regional dishes.

Who is ICOMOS Switzerland?

The Swiss national section of the International Council on Monuments and Sites is an association of experts involved in heritage conservation. They are active in the fields of architecture, landscape, heritage, archaeology, inventorying and restoration, both at a scientific and technical level.

The aims of ICOMOS are the protectionconservation and monitoring of monuments, attractions and areas worthy of protection, according to homogeneous criteria. This activity is based on the principles of conservation adopted by ICOMOS International.

The need for a national and international reflection on the tasks and problems of the conservation of historic monuments is a priority. The Swiss National Section participates in the organisation of meetings and symposia, generally supported by professional organisations, official entities, federal commissions, in particular, or cultural circles.

Within the framework of ICOMOS International, ICOMOS Switzerland maintains close contacts with close associations or organisations such as UNESCO, and participates in their activities. ICOMOS plays an advisory and expert role in the inclusion of new objects in the UNESCO's World Heritage List.

United within ICOMOS International, based in Paris, many countries on all five continents are democratically represented.