News & Specials–The courtyard in a deep slumber

Dear guests,

It has been just under two weeks since we voluntarily closed our hotel. Since then, we have been pampering just a handful of rehabilitation patients in the courtyard. To ensure they don’t get lost in the big building, only the Flickflauder restaurant has remained open for them. I hope the delicate orchids, which Hermann Knoblauch managed to order just in time, will bloom long enough.

The friendly veranda has become a modest coffee shop. There, our lively Robert invites the few guests to tea and cake and provides musical accompaniment on his piano. Only a very small number of staff are on duty. In particular, our apprentices are at work under expert supervision so that their internships and apprenticeships can continue. The hotel lobby and the bar, as well as the Schotte Sepp Stube, are closed. The hair salon remains dark, the hotel pool has been drained, the beauty treatment rooms are cool, and the massage tables are covered with towels.

This afternoon, in particular, touches my heart

Normally, I rush home on Wednesday evenings to greet our guests in time for an aperitif, dressed in the Appenzell traditional costume. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Where the apple salad usually stands and where the “Schlorzifladen” has its place, everything remains empty. Even in the executive office, where the five of us usually work, no one is present. Roberto Wittwer isn’t sitting at his desk in his Appenzell shirt. He’s at home helping his two elementary school-aged children with their homework on the computer. Christian Huber, who usually checks the evening menus one last time, is also missing. He’s surely strolling through the quiet streets of Appenzell with his little daughter Mia. And I’d much rather see my husband Christian Lienhard here on site—juggling tasks, planning, and organizing. But he’s at home, cooking for us, for his family. Just like every other day during this time. Our daughters Lorena and Sofia are watching a lecture online. One thing stands out: we’ve never had this much time with Dad in the last 23 years. It’s a wonderful experience. Our dog Hira also finds the extended hikes very unusual.

A place for matters of the heart

Chief Physician John Keel takes good care of his patients and stands ready to implement any further cantonal regulations. Prisca Peterer is taking the opportunity to reintegrate the planning for our spa and rehabilitation patients into the health center. In addition, there is plenty of free time for both of them, as well as for all the other staff members.

Marketing activities must not come to a standstill. Bold foresight, paired with flexibility, is what’s needed. What has changed during this time of crisis? To understand, let’s look back from the near future. This perspective could reveal to us: what was, what is, what may remain…

With this thought, I leave the hotel and, on my way home, discover the many blooming daffodils on our terrace lawn. If they were roses, I would inevitably think of Sleeping Beauty. All around the courtyard, everything is quiet and almost deserted.

This is how we are being kept at bay, allowing our hotel to enjoy its slumber for a little while longer. We await with great anticipation the moment when doors and gates open and both guests and staff beam with joy and cheer.

Fortunately, we are all healthy. Our dear Hof team is doing well under the circumstances. Everyone misses the lovely encounters with you and the friendly conversations very much. After all, that is what sets our Hof apart. A place of matters of the heart.

With this in mind, dear guests of Hof Weissbad, I wish you the best of health and all the best. Please hang in there so that we may shake hands again very soon.

From the heart, from house to house.

Your hostess
Damaris Lienhard