Between mountains, business and family - a look into our everyday life as the management of the Hotel Sonne Andermatt

What does a typical day look like when you run a small hotel and are also mum and dad to two lively boys? We’ll give you a glimpse into our daily life – juggling welcoming guests, the reception, restaurant, kitchen and housekeeping on the one hand, and looking after the children, morning routines, school and training sessions on the other. It’s an exciting balance between responsibility, passion and family – between work and home, between mountains, coffee, bourbon and ice hockey.

The hotel is situated in the heart of the historic village centre and has been part of the local landscape for generations.

5.30 am – When Andermatt is still asleep

The alarm goes off at 5.30 am. It’s still dark; the world is asleep. A fresh cup of coffee, a quick glance at the diary and a run-through of the day’s key tasks. Then a brief visit to our two sleeping boys, a gentle kiss on the forehead, and off we go.

6.00 am – Dad’s turn

Whilst Yana heads to the hotel, Steffen takes over the morning routine: getting the children dressed, preparing breakfast, packing bags and taking the two of them to nursery or to their grandparents. This also includes taking our dog for a walk and, if there’s time left, a short jog.

7.00 am – Arrival at the hotel

Yana starts the day at the Hotel Sonne Andermatt. It’s still quiet – at least for a few minutes. She empties the letterbox, lays out the newspapers for the guests and does a quick check of the breakfast buffet. This is followed by a chat with the staff and, of course, a cup of coffee to get her going. Next on the agenda are checking the previous day’s invoices, reviewing the team’s working hours, budget planning and the first emails.

This is where our guests’ stay begins and, for us, often the first personal moment of the day.

07.30 am – Breakfast & personal chats

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee slowly wafts through the restaurant. The first guests arrive and are greeted personally by Yana. Here we find out who’s here to ski, who’s exploring the mountains on foot, or who simply wants to relax. We offer tips for excursions in the Urserntal, reveal our favourite spots in the area or spontaneously organise a table at the restaurant. These personal encounters bring everyday life to life and make it unique.

08.00 am – Reception, check-outs & team coordination

The first guests are checking out. Yana is holding final discussions, answering any remaining questions and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. At the same time, she is dealing with emails and phone calls and coordinating staff rota. Where necessary, she also assists with housekeeping – whether it’s room service or checking that rooms have been cleaned. Every moment demands attention, organisation and a willingness to listen to both guests and staff.

10.00 am – Steffen takes charge of the restaurant and kitchen

At around 10.00 am, Steffen begins his official working day at the hotel. As a trained chef, he is not only present in the restaurant but also heavily involved in the kitchen. He checks orders, monitors the quality of the food and, of course, tastes it himself. Lunch is prepared, the team is briefed and the first guests are warmly welcomed. This interplay between reception, kitchen and restaurant makes everyday life varied and exciting.

Our restaurant, with its abundance of wood, warmth and atmosphere. A place for enjoyable and convivial moments.

2.00 pm – A short break with Bourbon

If time allows, we take a brief moment for a stroll through Andermatt, accompanied by Bourbon (not whisky, but our dog). Fresh mountain air, a few minutes of peace and the play of sunlight on the rooftops provide new energy and serenity for the rest of the day. Our little break in between.

3.00 pm – Family time

Yana’s working day ends at 3.00 pm. After that, the family takes centre stage again: picking up the children, preparing snacks, talking about the day, playing ‘Mum’s taxi’, accompanying them to ice hockey training or going for a jog. The transition from hotel life to family routine is seamless – organisation and love are part of both worlds.

After her day at the hotel, family time begins for Yana.

Bourbon, our faithful companion.

4.00 pm – Preparing for the evening

Whilst Yana spends time with the children, Steffen begins preparing for the evening. He replies to emails, checks invoices and welcomes the first guests checking in. The team receives a brief briefing; reservations and guests’ special requests are discussed. This ensures that the evening runs smoothly and our guests can enjoy a perfect stay.

6.00 pm – Restaurant service

When the restaurant opens, it comes to life: guests arrive, voices mingle with the clink of cutlery and the aroma of freshly prepared food fills the room. We are on hand: coordinating, advising in the kitchen, chatting with guests or keeping an eye on things from the background.

End of the day

When the last guest retires to their room satisfied, calm slowly descends. A final inspection round of the hotel, checking tomorrow’s bookings and perhaps a quick email or a spontaneous phone call – that’s how the day at the hotel draws to a close. Satisfied, tired, but full of motivation and looking forward to the next day.

Yana and Steffen Löser in front of the Hotel Sonne. Together they run this historic establishment in the heart of Andermatt.

Back home, we have another cup of tea together and talk about the day that’s been and what lies ahead tomorrow. Our daily life is characterised by responsibility, passion and flexibility, but above all by heart.

Even though we don’t live in Andermatt itself, we feel the magic of this place every day: in the mountains, in our encounters with guests and in the laughter of our team. These little moments show us that being hoteliers is more than just a job; it is a passion that we live every day.

The Hotel Sonne – a hotel steeped in tradition, where hospitality has been practised for many years.

Guest bloggers: Yana and Steffen Löser

Parents to their children Theo and Elioth. They have been managing the Hotel Sonne Andermatt since 2024. However, their journey to the region began earlier: they have been deeply rooted in Andermatt since 2018. They live as a family in Nidwalden and love nature, good food, travel and ice hockey.