Hammer before Christmas The renowned Hotel Castell is closing for an indefinite period - staff were taken by surprise
The Hotel Castell in Zuoz will cease operations indefinitely in spring 2026. There has been no public communication about this so far. The background to this is a planned renovation following the sale of the hotel to new owners.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- The Hotel Castell in Zuoz GR will close from March 23, 2026 until further notice.
- This is due to extensive renovations following a change of ownership.
- There was initially no official media release.
- blue News was unable to respond to a request for comment.
Built in 1912, the Hotel Castell above Zuoz is considered one of the best-known art hotels in Switzerland. Architecture, contemporary art and an independent hotel concept have made the hotel famous far beyond the Engadin. Works by internationally renowned artists such as Pippiloti Rist, Fischli/Weiss and Roman Signer still characterize the Castell today.
But now the bombshell. According to information available to blue News, the staff have been informed that the hotel will close on March 23, 2026 and operations will cease for an unknown period of time.
The hotel is said to be closing for extensive construction and renovation work. There is no public information about this yet, nor is there any information on the website. Guests who have already made a reservation after 22 March 2026 have not yet been informed either.
Renovation after change of ownership
Investments are planned in the building technology, the rooms, the bathrooms, the public areas and the terrace. The aim is to bring the building up to a modern standard in terms of construction and technology, as guests have been informed.
How long the work will take and when a reopening is possible has not yet been communicated. A time frame of one to three years for the work has been promised to guests.
The hotel was sold in fall 2024 to members of the family behind the internationally renowned Hauser & Wirth gallery. Artfarm, the hospitality company owned by Iwan and Manuela Wirth, is responsible for operations, focusing on hotels and restaurants in the art and culture sector.
No public communication
The responsible contact at Artfarm did not initially respond to blue News' inquiries. Those responsible are also not commenting publicly on the situation of the employees. The only thing that is clear is that bookings will no longer be possible after March 23, 2026 and that guests and employees were only informed a few days ago.
In an interview with "Hotel Inside", Federica Bertolini, General Manager of Artfarm, said after the acquisition of the Hotel Castell a year ago: "The new owners are looking forward to continuing the historic tradition and history of the Castell."
Addendum
After this article was published, the operator Artfarm issued a statement. In it, the company states that a comprehensive analysis of the building, infrastructure and services offered has been carried out since the Hotel Castell was acquired at the end of 2024. This has revealed a considerable and urgent need for investment. The last comprehensive renovation was over 20 years ago.
A planning application for a complete renovation has now been submitted. The plan is to renovate all areas of the hotel and the surrounding area. According to Artfarm, the hotel is scheduled to close at the end of the 2026 winter season. The construction work is expected to take up to two years, subject to official approval.
In addition to the structural renovation, Artfarm has also announced technical and energy-related measures. Plans include switching to a geothermal heat pump and installing a photovoltaic system. The aim is to make the farm climate-neutral in the future. Outbuildings and technical facilities are also to be modernized.
Bee Emmott, CEO of Artfarm, says: "Since acquiring the legendary Hotel Castell at the end of 2024, we have been working intensively on plans to preserve the unique character of the property while carefully preparing the next chapter in its important history."
Emmott continues: "The founders of our company, Iwan and Manuela Wirth, have a long-standing and very personal relationship with the hotel, and many artists represented by their gallery are present in the premises and grounds. Guided by this vision and our confidence in the future of the hotel, we are committed to a comprehensive renovation program to ensure that the Hotel Castell remains an exceptional destination in the future."
Regarding the situation of the employees, Artfarm reports that a large number of them are on seasonal contracts. Many of them intend to return to the team once the renovation work is complete. During the renovation phase, employees will have the opportunity to work within other Artfarm Group companies.
According to Artfarm, further information on the implementation of the project and the timeline will be communicated over the coming months.
