The Alpfrieden story
a hotel history since 1948
It all started in 1948 with a small chalet and a kiosk for thirsty hikers. What Hans and Margrith Minnig created back then, with plenty of pioneering spirit and love for Bettmeralp, grew over the decades into a lively family business: the mountain hotel Alpfrieden. Today, as then, the house is shaped by genuine hospitality, hands-on commitment and deep roots in Bettmeralp. It’s a rich story that continues to be written today.
1950 – 1960
From chalet to guesthouse
and a big new beginning
From chalet to guesthouse
and a big new beginning
The 1950s brought movement to Bettmeralp. With the new cable car, summer guests arrived in larger numbers for the first time, and Hans and Margrith Minnig decided to turn their chalet into the Pension Alpfrieden. In 1954, the small house with the big heart opened its doors, with a restaurant, simple rooms and lots of pioneering spirit. The name Alpfrieden was born, and a new chapter in the history of Bettmeralp began.
1960 – 1970
Boom with a view
the golden years of the Alpfrieden
Boom with a view
the golden years of the Alpfrieden
Tourism was booming, Bettmeralp was waking up, and the Alpfrieden grew with it. In the 1960s, the small guesthouse became a proper hotel, with new guest rooms, a dining hall, a garden terrace and the beloved «Spycher» (a traditional wooden Valais granary), which later transformed into the iconic dance club. Modern comforts were added without losing any of the chalet’s rustic charm. It was a time of new beginnings, of building, and of the courage to stay one step ahead. Anyone sitting on the terrace back then enjoyed the same view as today – just with a bouffant hairdo and a tie.
1980 – 1990
Between disco beats and retro style
the 1980s in Bettmeralp
Between disco beats and retro style
the 1980s in Bettmeralp
In the eighties, the Alpfrieden kept growing without losing its shape. New rooms were added and comfort was brought up to date, but the spirit stayed the same: family-run, down-to-earth, warm-hearted. The next generation of the Minnig family followed in their parents’ footsteps with fresh ideas, while guests from the early days had long since become regulars. It was a decade of gentle change, crafted with hands-on dedication, good mountain sense and a passion for preserving what makes the place special.
2000 – 2010
Between generations
and in the middle of change
Between generations
and in the middle of change
The new millennium brought a fresh breeze and deep roots. With Patrick Jenelten and his wife Fatima Hambli, the third generation stepped into the spotlight, running the Alpfrieden together with the experienced hands of his parents. For 20 years, Patrick was the hotel’s managing director, and Fatima was the face and soul of the dance club. While the digital world and design changed at breakneck speed outside, everything that makes the house special stayed the same inside: honest cooking, genuine encounters and a warm sense of togetherness. The 2000s were a decade of transition, looking back with gratitude and forward with confidence.
2010 – 2020
Fine tuned, with love for detail
Fine tuned, with love for detail
The Alpfrieden wasn’t reinvented, but it was carefully developed further. In the 2010s, the Minnig family focused on quality, authenticity and that certain something. They modernised where it made sense and left the character of the house untouched. In the kitchen, Marius Zula grew into a new head chef – quite literally, from a young age. And while new guests were discovering the Aletsch region outside, the familiar feeling remained inside: here, you can simply be yourself.
2020 – today
Stormy times, a steadfast heart
and fresh ideas
Stormy times, a steadfast heart
and fresh ideas
The world was spinning faster, and sometimes in circles. But the Alpfrieden remained a safe harbour. In the middle of the pandemic, it became clear what a real family business is made of: solidarity, creativity and the firm belief that genuine hospitality is crisis-proof.