OUR TEAM REVEALS ITS INSIDER TIPS IN AND AROUND GRINDELWALD
MARION ZIEGLER & GUNNAR BAUM
Directors
We have been welcoming guests from all over the world to the Derby for over 8 years now! Every day is different, no season is like the next, but it’s always fun to be part of such a long-standing team and to look after our guests with heart and soul!
In summer we and our family are drawn to the mountains on one of the many alpine trails. The Lieselotte trail from Männlichen to Holenstein is particularly fun with children. The gondola ride to the summit and the descent past the various adventure points around the Lieselotte cow with the end at the large forest playground is an experience for young and old.
Those looking for a more exhausting challenge can venture out on the high-altitude hike from Schynige Platte to First. The varied day tour offers unique views of Lake Brienz but also over to the Eiger side and leads over green meadows and rugged cliffs. Those who are motivated can climb the Faulhorn at the end and enjoy the all-round view of the region.
BARBARA GRUNDER
Chef de Réception
For almost 30 years our cheerful nature at the reception. She doesn’t know a bad mood and she prefers the days “when there’s a lot to do”.
Rest is boredom, which is why she always makes the area unsafe in her free time. On one of her favourite day trips, she takes the bus to Grosse Scheidegg. From there on foot or by bus on the other side of the mountain towards Schwarzwaldalp and Rosenlaui. “As if you were in a completely different world” you can enjoy pure nature. Worth seeing is the Aare gorge right by Rosenlaui.
Those who have the whole day can continue by bus and train via Meiringen to Brienz and from there treat themselves to a boat trip on Lake Brienz to Interlaken. Everything is included on this excursion: Forests, meadows, rocky gorges and, at the end, the deep turquoise of Lake Brienz.
MARTIN BAMBERG
Chef
He has been part of our well-rehearsed kitchen team for almost 6 years and creates with passion beautiful plates, a fest for the eyes.
Martin is actually a passionate motorcyclist, but it can be a little quieter with the family. For example, a round trip on Lake Brienz. We recommend a stop at the Beatus Caves with the large dragon adventure playground or a short climb to the imposing Giessbach Falls with the hotel of the same name next to it. The view from the terrace of the intense blue of the lake looks as if it was painted.
SAMUEL YOUNG
SAMUEL YOUNG
Sous Chef
Samuel was born in Australia and walked through the hotel door over 6 years ago during his European tour, looking for a temporary job to earn some money for his onward journey. After just two hours of trial work in the kitchen, it was clear that we were looking at a talented chef. Instead of traveling on, he stayed and worked his way through all the recipes and positions, completed a three-year cooking apprenticeship with us and is now our sous-chef. With a passion for cooking and a love of detail, he spurs our kitchen team on to top performance time and time again.
Sam is a passionate motorcyclist and therefore explores the many mountain passes on motorcycles. A special tip is the tour via Meiringen towards the top of the Grimsel Pass. On the way, you must stop shortly after Innertkirchen for a ride on the spectacular Gelmerbahn. The quaint funicular is considered to be one of the steepest mountain rides of all and is ridden backwards up the mountain in an open seat. Not for the faint-hearted.
Although motorcycles are not ridden in the cold season, the passion for speed remains. This is mainly lived out on a snowboard. If you really want to let off steam, spend the day on the jumps and in the halfpipe in the snowpark on Oberjoch in the First ski area.
PAULO DE CARVALHO
Restaurant Manager
For almost 30 years he has been the haven of peace in our Föhrenstube and looks after the guests with style and skill.
In his spare time, he goes for long walks on the less frequented hiking trails. His insider tip: take the bus towards Grosse Scheidegg, but get off first at the Ischbodenhütte. There you can visit the bird sanctuary and then walk on a narrow path over hill and dale to Bort.
Remote but fantastic views of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Eiger accompany you on the way. If you don’t want to walk back to Grindelwald from Bort, simply take the gondola.
DANIELA
Gouvernante
Our housekeeper has been with us for 16 years and has ambitiously worked her way up from a temporary job to head of department. She leads our cleaning team with heart and mind and is always on the ball so that no detail is forgotten in the rooms.
She and her young family enjoy going on excursions to the large adventure playground on Bort. Slide, climb, jump and splash around with your feet in the small stream or play in the sand and for refreshment in between there is a kiosk or a restaurant with a large terrace and good food.
EVELYNE SCHWINGER
Social media
At the same time as we did, Evi joined us at the Derby 8 years ago. Although she has travelled all over the world in between, she has never let go of the Derby completely. With her unmistakable Austrian humour, she puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Evi is our social media crack and is therefore always out and about in the most remote corners to snap the best pictures. One of her favourite hikes is the path from Pfingstegg to the Bäregghütte. The narrow path leads steadily along the edge of the glacier gorge until, after the last somewhat steeper section, you are rewarded with an incomparable view of the glacier world between the Eiger and Schreckhorn. Breath-taking, quiet but only suitable for sure-footed hikers who do not suffer from vertigo.