19 August 2020 – Nine-and-a-half months after the groundbreaking, the Schaan-Vaduz Youth Hostel will celebrate its topping out today on Wednesday, 19 August 2020. Last week, the concrete was poured for the final ceilings, thereby completing the building structure. Next, the facade cladding will be mounted, and fitting will begin for building service installations, such as
electric wiring, heating and plumbing. Interior construction will start at the end of 2020 so that the new youth hostel can open as planned on 1 April 2021.

The “Einstein” project by architectural firm Erhart + Partner AG from Vaduz emerged as the winner of the architectural competition announced in March 2018. This is a challenging situation for the architectural firm, as owner Martin Erhart explains: “During the competition phase, the project was quite the challenge for us, as this is the first youth hostel that we have undertaken. That makes it all the more of a pleasure for us to focus on the project and transform the ideas of Swiss Youth Hostels into a reality.”

New and modern accommodation for the principality

The youth hostel has been located at Under Rüttigass 6 in Schaan for about 40 years. The new building will be constructed at the same spot, opening as a “top” category establishment on 1 April 2021. In future, guests can look forward to 116 beds in dormitories as well as double rooms with a shower/WC and the popular family rooms with a shower/WC. This contemporary and modern accommodation is aimed at those travelling alone, families, school classes, groups and clubs.

For the municipalities of Schaan and Vaduz, the new youth hostel is yet another draw for guests. “There is a long tradition of youth hostels in our municipalities and all across Liechtenstein – and as such, they play an important role here. The new building is truly a gem and we look forward to welcoming both regular guests and new visitors from Easter 2021,” says Daniel Hilti, Community Leader of Schaan. Swiss Youth Hostels are also very excited about the new venture. “The modern building with its clear, simple structures is the perfect fit for the Swiss Youth Hostels network, meeting our standards for sustainability and barrier-free access. The Schaan-Vaduz Youth Hostel will give guests an all-round sustainable travel experience,” says Janine Bunte, CEO of Swiss Youth Hostels.

Thanks to its unspoilt location in Schaan, the youth hostel not only offers an excellent view – it is also the perfect starting point for a wide range of different activities. Something guests can particularly enjoy is hiking, for example to the Naafkopf summit (2570 metres above sea level), where the borders of Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Austria meet, on the historical Eschnerberg mountain trail, or the many stages of the 75-km-long Liechtenstein trail, leading through all eleven municipalities of the principality. Its location also makes it a good base for numerous other activities, such as mountain biking, trail running, climbing, golf, inline staking, fishing and much more – and at the end of the day, Grossabünt lake in Gamprin and the nearby Mühleholz pool are ideal spots to cool down. In winter, skiing and snowboarding are a major feature in the Malbun winter sports region, along with cross-country skiing and snowshoe walking in Steg-Valüna. Liechtenstein also has lots to offer in terms of culture, such as its iconic art museum or the Liechtenstein Treasure Chamber on the Museum Mile in Vaduz. Guests can round off their day by visiting one of the country’s numerous restaurants. The culinary diversity in Liechtenstein ranges from exquisite gourmet specialities in highly acclaimed restaurants to traditional dishes at local pubs and alpine huts.

Isabelle and Adrian Koch take over management

The management of the new youth hostel has also been announced in time for the topping out ceremony. The couple Isabelle and Adrian Koch will co-manage Schaan-Vaduz Youth Hostel starting from April 2021. Isabelle Koch will be responsible for the reception area among other things, while Adrian Koch will cater to guests as the head chef.

For the past six years, they have run the youth hostel in Romanshorn together. They have both dedicated their entire professional lives to the hotel and food industries to date. After graduating from the Hotel Management School Thun, Isabelle Koch (36) worked in various hotels and restaurants, including the 5-star segment, before joining Swiss Youth Hostels in 2012, when she assumed the role of acting manager of the then hostel in Figino. Adrian Koch (45) trained as a chef at Hotel Castell in Zuoz, completing various courses in the food industry before joining Swiss Youth Hostels six years ago. “We are pleased to have Isabelle and Adrian Koch, a winning team, managing the new “top” youth hostel in Schaan. Offering extraordinary entrepreneurial panache, as a couple and family, they are familiar with the needs of their guests, based on their personal experience. This is a major advantage, especially when opening a new, family-oriented hostel,” says SYH CEO Janine Bunte.

The Schaan-Vaduz Youth Hostel can be booked at www.youthhostel.ch/schaan-vaduz

Press Release