History of the Family Business

Ulrich und Rosa Brunner-von Allmen

1934
Purchase of the residential and farm building „Bärenstübli“ by Ulrich and Rosa Brunner-von Allmen.
The hotel and restaurant business Bären was managed and shaped by Rosa Brunner. In the following years, the infrastructure was gently renovated and steadily improved. One of the first television sets in Wengen was in the Bärenstübli and was actively used by the local population. Today we call it “Public viewing“ in German.

1951
Demolition of the existing barn and new construction of the dormitory with 20 beds without heating and only with cold water connection. With the Bärenstübli and the dormitory there are now about 30 beds available.

Willy Brunner sen. und Martha Brunner-Fankhauser

1972
Take-over of the business by their son Willy Brunner sen. and Martha Brunner-Fankhauser
Annex and new construction of today’s Hotel Bären building with 17 rooms, 26 beds, a 3 room host appartment, 4 staff rooms,a restaurant for 80 guests, and a terrace for 50 guests. 8 out of 17 rooms had an ensuite bathroom, which used to be considered as very modern and new-age. The other rooms still had a toilet and a bathroom on the floor, which used to be usaul. With the new buiding there are now approx. 46 beds available.

1978 – 1991
The restaurant „Bärenstübli“ was only open in the off-season

1992
Closing of the restaurants „Bärenstübli“

Willy Brunner und Therese Brunner

1994
Take-over of the business by son Willy Brunner und Therese Brunner

The middle floor of the Bärenstübli was converted into their appartment.
Installation of showers and heating in the dormitory, and change of name to „Kleiner Bär“

1997/98
Redesigning of all hotel rooms as well as the installation of toilets in Hotel Bären. Birth Nicole Brunner

1999
Conversion of the “Bärenstübli” into a larger apartment

2001/02

Closing of the dormitory „Kleiner Bär“ and conversion into a 2 room appartment. Now there are 35 beds in the hotel. Birth of Jessica Brunner

2004
Annex/ extension and redesign of the restaurant in Hotel Bären

2005
Installation of a kitchen and office in „Bärenstübli“

2007
Installaion of a central automatic fire detection system for the whole hotel

2011
Annex of the western front Westfassade, redesign and extension of 10 rooms
Closure of the host appartment in Hotel Bären
Martha Brunner-Fankhauser is moving into the appartment Chalet “Kleiner Bär”

2013
Redesign of the remaining 7 rooms
Installation of an elevator in the hotel