Hotel Kreuz in Herzogenbuchsee is historic hotel of the year

The "Kreuz" has been in existence since 1787 and looks back not only on a long but also an eventful history. In 1890, the women's association bought the inn at auction and ran it as the first alcohol-free restaurant in Switzerland.

Over the following decades, the restaurant was to develop into a cultural center for the region. A reading room, cooking and sewing courses for working women, concerts and lectures were held in the "Kreuz". More difficult times followed after the Second World War. In 2004, the women's association sold the inn.

In 2010, it was threatened with closure. The hotel/restaurant was revived with great commitment from the local population. From 2016, renovations were carried out while preserving the historical elements. The history of the place can be experienced everywhere in the establishment, according to the jury's statement.

Charm of the 1930s

The "Restaurant of the Year" award went to the "Baratella" in St. Gallen. Founded in 1905 by a young Italian immigrant, the restaurant has retained its charm. The refurbishment in the 1930s is still influential today.

The awards are presented each year by Icomos Switzerland, the national group of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, together with Gastrosuisse, Hotelleriesuisse and Switzerland Tourism.