The Carlton-Europe today: the Europe on the left, the Carlton with its tower on the right

Since 1898

Traditionsince 1898.

Hospitality has been lived in these two splendid buildings since 1898. For years now Stephan JJ. Maeder has carried on the tradition of these historic houses with heart and soul.

Over 125 yearsof vintage.

125 years of evolution, a small excerpt in nine stages.

1898
The Europe
Construction of the northern part; the southern part followed eleven years later. Both buildings were erected under the ownership of Karl Alfred Ritschard, a former civil servant in Muri. The house was run by Alice Ritschard and Gertrud Biert.
1900
The Carlton
The Carlton house was built by Christian Hansen as the “Hotel Brünig et l’Univers”. It was open from April to October each year and, with private bathrooms, heating and a lift, was considered very modern at the time. Charles Affentranger bought it in 1947.
1952
The first private bathroom
In the Europe the first two rooms were fitted with a bath and WC. The shared bathrooms on each floor remained for some years, until the major conversion of 1966 gave every room its own bathroom and toilet.
1995
Near the end?
Francesca Comte acquired the Europe and thoroughly renovated the northern part. Sadly, the business did not do well enough. The Europe AG of the time was declared bankrupt and the hotel passed to UBS. There was even talk of demolishing the Art Nouveau building with its crumbling façade.
2001
Bernensis Hotel AG
Together with friends and colleagues, Stephan JJ. Maeder managed to found Bernensis Hotel AG and buy the hotel from UBS. All were prepared to forgo dividends and put in plenty of unpaid work to get the house back on an even keel.
2006
Two houses, one hotel
Bernensis Hotel AG took over the “Hotel Carlton” from Werner Affentranger. The two hotels were joined by a new reception building, and all the façades were restored in line with heritage requirements.
2016
The annexe
On the southern plot a new building went up with a spacious underground garage, a large dining room with a kitchen on the same level, apartments and a hotel garden with a natural swimming pond. Work paused each summer season so that guests could go on enjoying their peace and quiet.
2019
Guests aged 16 and over
Since January 2019 the Carlton-Europe has welcomed only hotel guests aged 16 and over, as one of the first adults-only hotels in Switzerland. In 2020 Stephan JJ. Maeder received the Milestone award for his innovative ideas during the crisis.
2022
Four stars
The hotel was classified as a 4-star hotel for the first time, and the annexe as 4-star serviced apartments. A photovoltaic system has been on the roof since 2024. In 2026 Bernensis Hotel AG celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Hotelgeschichte als PDF

From thearchive.

Two façade plans of the Hotel Carlton, inscribed “Herrn J. Roth, Interlaken”. The arcades on the ground floor and the tower at the corner still stand today.

Façade plan of the Hotel Carlton, Zollhausstrasse elevation — Façade Zollhausstrasse

Façade plan of the Hotel Carlton, Neue Mattenstrasse elevation — Façade Neue Mattenstrasse

Two houses,both protected.

Today’s Carlton was built in 1900 as the Hotel Brünig et l’Univers, to plans by the Interlaken architect Robert Forster, right next to the Europe, two years its senior. Since 2000 it has been on the heritage inventory of the Canton of Bern, and since March 2024 it has also been under federal protection.

During the Second World War the Europe served as a military medical facility and remained closed to guests. Around the turn of the millennium its demolition was on the table, until Stephan JJ. Maeder and his partners took over the Europe in 2001 and the Carlton in 2005.

“Our great concern was to save the two historic hotels.”

Stephan JJ. Maeder in “Hotelier” magazine

Built: 1898 and 1900
Architect of the Carlton: Robert Forster
Heritage protection: Canton and Confederation

Old postcard: the Hotel de l’Univers et Brünig, today’s Carlton, in front of the mountains — Hotel de l’Univers et Brünig

The Carlton and the Europe in an old colour photograph — Carlton and Europe, old colour photograph

The Carlton-Europe today, seen from the street — The Carlton-Europe today

Building history based on the Wikipedia article “Hotel Carlton (Interlaken)” and the heritage inventory of the Canton of Bern; ownership history and quotation from “Hotelier”.

The Housein 59 seconds.

From the roof terrace through the suites to the wellness village: the film of the house.

Sustainabilityis close to our hearts.

Because the environment and our guests matter

Photovoltaic system on the roof, annual output 2024

101’000kilowatt-hours of electricity produced

65per cent used directly in the hotel

68’000kilograms of CO₂ saved

50+Herbs from our own gardens

Our effortsbehind the scenes.

We currently hold the Swisstainable certification at level 1, “Committed”, so that guests are aware of our focus on sustainability from the moment they book.

Cart with pumpkins, vegetables and fruit — Regional & seasonal

Regional & seasonal

We serve only local and seasonal produce, to avoid long transport routes. Our drinks list features only Swiss wines.

Breakfast buffet with croissants and bread — Food Save

Food Save

We encourage our guests to go to the buffet several times, and we serve smaller portions with free seconds.

Natural swimming pond in the hotel garden — Water & heat

Water & heat

We heat with district heating. Around the house, containers collect rainwater for the flowers in the garden. The natural swimming pond needs no chemicals.

Electric car at the charging station in front of the hotel — Power from the roof

Power from the roof

Since 2024 the photovoltaic system has produced enough energy for around 30 households. Two MOVE charging stations charge your electric car with up to 22 kW.

Family with luggage trolley on the platform — Arriving by train

Arriving by train

With the SBB luggage special, suitcases are collected at home and are waiting in the hotel room on arrival. Instead of disposable slippers there are “Reuse-me” slippers.

Ourteam.

The Maeder family is also delighted to welcome guests at the Waldhotel Doldenhorn and the Landgasthof Ruedihus in Kandersteg.

The Carlton-Europe team cheering in front of the hotel

Stephan JJ. MaederDirector
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Patrick GerberHotel manager
Wanting is like doing, only bolder.
Pedro dos SantosHead of F&B
The present is the biggest building block of the future.
Elke JohannesAssistant to the director
Only those who know the destination find the way.

Jobs at theCarlton-Europe.

If you are interested in working with us, do send us your detailed CV, by email or by post. Perhaps you too will write a piece of the Carlton-Europe Hotel’s history in the future!

To the application page Apply speculatively