THE HOSPITALITY
What does it take for friendship to develop between hotel and guest? Or between host and guest? Good prerequisites seem to us to be given when the place is characterised by independence and the people by generosity and discretion. When personality is more important than prestige, when life stories are more valuable than life successes. When a conversation at eye level and in mutual goodwill weighs more than pure matter. And so we try again and again to make it possible for the needs and wishes of our guests to become experiences that they do not want to miss, and that their ideas of successful and relaxing days are fulfilled, and that their expectations are sometimes even exceeded.
THE CONNECTION
We do not go our way alone. Farmers and suppliers in the region, craftsmen, architects, creative people in all areas accompany us and contribute to our success. This also applies to a large extent to our employees and - very importantly - to our guests. Mutual appreciation is part of our joint success. Appreciation means, for example, meeting at eye level, respect and keeping one's word. This creates solidarity, which in turn creates trust.
TRADITION AND INNOVATION
Giving a place its own character, creating something individual is also the risk of renouncing convention. Those who look beyond their own horizons turn it into a springboard. Tradition has its value and remains a source of inspiration; new forms that contribute to the atmosphere find space with us. We are guided by colours, shapes and materials, by a style that relates to our surroundings.
TIME FOR QUALITY
In many places there is a hectic pace, "higher-further-faster-better" sets the pace. We use the privilege of being able to work at our own appropriate speed. So we take our time with innovations and plan carefully. In conversation with the guest, needs and wishes become clear through attentive listening, they flow into our reflections, we spin ideas further, let them mature, a part is realised, a part is discarded. In what is finally carefully implemented, there is room for improvement.
THE GRATITUDE
We, Courtins, are "self-made" hoteliers, which means that in three generations we have built up and filled with content everything that makes us what we are today, and have thus been able to attract countless guests to our hotel. We are grateful that you - as well as our employees and partners - appreciate the offer and values of the Chesa Randolina and that you appreciate us. You all make our lives richer, more joyful and more confident. For this we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
History
The large farmhouse in Sils-Baselgia was built in 1906. Because the Courtin family also farmed on the location, it had a large barn for the cows as well as a typical hayloft. The kitchen and simple rooms for the hired help were on the north side.
In 1918 the son, Andrea Courtin, took over the business with his wife, Ursula Fausch. In 1936 the childless couple took in both of Mrs. Courtin’s godchildren, Andrea and Verena, after the death of their mother.
Mr. Courtin passed away in 1939 and his wife ran the business until she married Christian Scherrer in 1942. After the marriage of their son Andrea to Waltraut (née Haussmann) in 1957, he took over the hotel and expanded the horse and coach transport business. In the same year he opened a regular transportation service by horse in the Fex valley, with over 20 horses in service at times.
In 1961 a part of the building underwent its first extensive renovation and was transformed into a small boarding house with beds for guests. The farm continued to operate at the same location. With the second expansion in 1964, the farm premises and the barn were transformed into a hotel. At its opening in June of 1965, Chesa Randolina could already offer 54 beds on this beautiful site on Lake Sils. The horse and carriage business continued to remain an important pillar of the enterprise at a new location.
The private house was built on to the main house in 1969 and has also been used for the hotel since 1980. Andrea Courtin passed in November 1969. His wife ran the hotel and the carriage business after her remarriage to Hans Clavadetscher in 1971. In 1974 the farm and the horse carriage enterprise were discontinued. In the following years continual renovations and extensions have resulted in modern and up to date accommodations for 70 guests in the 3-star-superior category.
Since 1993 the hotel has been run by their son, Tomas Courtin, and his family in the third generation. In the same year the hotel experienced a further expansion in the Residenza Crastella, which offers 8 luxury apartments, each for 2 guests, with a magnificent view of Lake Sils.
Chesa Randolina is derived from the Romansh language and means “house of swallows”.
Barn swallows and swifts take advantage of the location of the house in order to build their nests on the roof and return year after year.
