Anyone who wants to go on holiday with Reka has a new opportunity. The cooperative has just signed a contract for the management of the historic Hotel Scaletta in the Engadine municipality of S-chanf.
The building, which was converted from two 16th-century farms, served as a hotel for 130 years and has been slowly falling apart and standing empty in the center of the village of S-chanf for over a decade. The Scaletta S-chanf Foundation, founded in 2020, will acquire and completely renovate the building as part of a public-private partnership.
As part of its holiday strategy, Reka has assessed the Engadine as a destination with very high development potential. The Hotel Scaletta will complement the two renowned resorts in Madulain and Scuol with 27 rooms and eight apartments. “The Scaletta also meets our requirements regarding families as an important target group and the long-term business model. In addition, the sustainable orientation with a foundation as a sponsor fits perfectly with Reka”, explains Damian Pfister, Deputy Director Reka and Head of Reka Holidays.
Reka, a dream companion
Sustainability is an integral part of the entire project. The Hotel Scaletta will be connected to the district heating infrastructure of S-chanf and the choice of materials will reflect the local construction method. Great importance is given to criteria such as short delivery routes and a long service life. “Our high standards in terms of socially oriented and environmentally friendly management also apply to the hotel and restaurant business,” says Pfister.
The Scaletta S-chanf Foundation has found a dream partner for its activities in Reka, says Chairman of the Foundation Board Herbert Schmid. “A professional operator offers us the long-term security that is so important for this project. Reka is also a partner who can optimally implement the purpose of our foundation.” In addition to the hotel business, this purpose also includes the operation of the restaurant and the attention to different guest groups. This means that the Hotel Scaletta is perfectly suited to the heterogeneous mix of guests of the Swiss National Park, which is located in the municipality of S-chanf, among other places, and thus creates valuable synergies.
Starting point for the national park, cycle paths and cross-country ski trails
The Scaletta Hotel will have 27 rooms and eight apartments with a small kitchen and space for two to four people. In addition to some historic rooms, two former kitchens with vaulted ceilings and stone floors will be preserved in their authentic form and converted into rooms. In addition to the hotel, Reka will also operate the restaurant with around 120 seats indoors and outdoors, thus making the house and the village square an important meeting point for guests and locals all year round.
“With its location in the center of the village of S-chanf, the restaurant is ideally situated – whether for a refreshment before a trip to the national park, for a refreshment after a hike or bike ride, for a club meeting or a birthday party,” says Damian Pfister. In addition, S-chanf is the destination of the Engadine ski marathon, which also offers potential for the hotel. The Scaletta’s offering is rounded off by a small wellness area for hotel guests, which offers relaxation after an active day in the Engadine.
Construction will begin in 2025, opening in 2026
As part of the partnership, Reka is contributing a significant portion of the costs with 14.7 million francs. With capital borrowed from banks, the Swiss Hotel Credit Society (SGH) and the Canton of Graubünden, various public funding as well as contributions from the municipality of S-chanf, Swiss Mountain Aid and numerous private sponsors, the purchase of the property is secured and can be completed by the foundation in late autumn 2024. The project planning will be finalized in the coming months so that the preparatory work can be carried out over the winter for the start of construction, scheduled for spring 2025.
“With the purchase of the property, nothing stands in the way of starting construction, but for the renovation and expansion of the building the foundation continues to rely on donations,” says Herbert Schmid. In addition to the possibility of donations, for example for the renovation of historical monuments, there is also still the accommodation dividend. Donors who donate more than 10,000 francs will receive a free night’s stay at the Hotel Scaletta every year for the next 20 years.
The opening of the Hotel Scaletta is scheduled for the beginning of the winter season 2026/2027. All renovation works are coordinated with the department of monument conservation in order to preserve the historical character of this venerable building.
Donate to the foundation at:
IBAN CH22 8080 8007 5808 1403 3
Raiffeisen Bank Engadine Val Müstair