»Orselina the history of a century-old establishment«

Kurhaus Sanitas 1901

In 1900 young Alfred Rühl felt the call of the wild, left his Prussia behind and traveled south. He chose to settle in the Locarnese region. Orselina, where the fertile grapes grow on the slope, appealed to him. He found an osteria, purchased a small grotto with a bit of land and this is where he built "Kurhaus Sanitas". Its name means health, which is what he proffered his guests. And they came, seeking the rest and revitalization of nature, away from the growing hectic of the big cities.

»Osteria and "Kurhaus Orselina" in background«

During this period many hoteliers searched for appropriate locations to seek their fortune. However, for Alfred Rühl it was not to be. After two short years, in 1903, he was forced to sell the hotel to the J. Isaak-Rüesch family. The new owner was full of initiative and extended the twelve-bed guesthouse to 25 beds. The name was changed as well, to Hotel Orselina. In 1906 the new cableway connection from Locarno to Orselina started operation that resulted in increased tourism on the slope of Orselina.