History

The Monte Rosa was not only the first hotel of Alexander Seiler but also the first hotel in Zermatt. The Mont Cervin Palace too, however, has an interesting and proud history.

1852         
State council Josef Anton Clemenz from Visp opens his Mont Cervin Hotel with 14 beds.

1857         
The Seiler brothers lease the Mont Cervin and buy it 10 years later.

1875         
The second extension of the Mont Cervin is competed. A 4th floor has been built on top of the west wing. The number of beds has increased from 68 to 180.

1891         
On July 10, 1891 Alexander Seiler dies. His death is on the same date as the start of operation of the train from Visp to Zermatt. The first scheduled train that arrives in Zermatt brings the remains of Alexander Seiler back to Brig where he is buried on the cemetery of Glis.
After the death of her husband, Catherine Seiler takes over the family business until she dies in 1895. Her work is supported by her children, especially by her sons Josef and Alexander.

1895         
Alexander Seiler jun.takes over the Seiler Hotels family business.  

1902         
The Villa Margherita with 50 Beds, the head office of the Alexander Seiler & frères company (as from Mai 1908 Seiler Hotels AG) and the post, telephone and telegraph office on the ground floor is opened.
Also a second dining room is opened in the Mont Cervin.

1918         
Mid July marks the break out of an influenza flu which lasts up to Christmas and claims 20 victims.
The Seiler Hotels provide the hotel Victoria (next to the train station) as a hospital.

1928/29   
The 2nd winter season of the Mont Cervin lasts from December 20 to February 11 and achieves 5950 over night bookings.

1930         
The Seiler Hotels celebrate their 75th anniversary.

1940         
During the First World War summer only the Mont Cervin remains open. The other Seiler Hotels are closed.

1944         
Necessary renovation works at the Mont Cervin, especially modernising the entrance area, have started.

1945/46   
The 2nd World War ends. The Mont Cervin opens again in winter. The American occupancy army based in Germany revives the streets in summer and the slopes in winter with their brown uniforms.

1961         
The Mont Cervin remains closed for the summer, the east wing is completely renovated.

1963         
Typhus occurrences force Zermatt to finish the winter season at the end of March.

1969         
A pool is built in the park of the Mont Cervin.

1984/85   
Opening of the Alexander Seiler hall and the east wing with 36 rooms and suites. The total amount of available beds rises to 238.
Every year about 20 apprentices are being trained.         

1986/87   
Rebuilding of the Villa Margherita as well as refurbishment of the hotel entrance and lobby at the Mont Cervin.   

1989/90   
125 year anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn.
The basement below the pool is renovated and extended with a sauna, two steam baths, two sanarias and two solariums.

1997/98   
January 9, 1998 - the Cervin Grill is burning! The main building has to be evacuated. On January 17, 1998 the hotel gets back to daily business.   
Renovations after the fire: new ski room and cellar, Restaurant-Brasserie “Le Cervin” with own kitchen and stewarding office, connecting corridor from the Mont Cervin to the Villa Margherita and new terrace on the first floor with view of the Matterhorn.
The new restaurant is promoted with the slogan “brand new”, in German “brandneu” (Brand = fire).

2003/04   
The Mont Cervin remains closed for the summer season. The 6th floor – which has been staff quarters up to now – is converted to guests suites. Pool and wellness are redeveloped and enlarged to 1700 m2. On the first floor space for a Beauty-Spa is created. The indoor pool remains the same and is extended with two whirlpools, an outdoor pool as well as a children’s paddling pool. The basement floor offers space for saunas, steam baths, a relaxation room, two solariums and a fitness room.
Installation of a new TV and Pay TV system as well as wireless Lan.
In December the Mont Cervin opens with the new name Mont Cervin Palace.

2005         
The Seiler Hotels celebrate their 150th anniversary.

2007         
In April the 4* Hotel Nicoletta closes and is renovated during the summer. In December the house reopens as “Le Petit Cervin” with 43 rooms and suites. It is run under the management of the Mont Cervin Palace and is connected with an underground tunnel.

2009         
The Villa Margherita is reconstructed and renovated.
The Hotel Monte Rosa with 41 rooms and suites is integrated into the operational management of the Mont Cervin Palace after finishing extensive renovation works.