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Destination Guide: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Switzerland
Destination Weddings - Nov 22, 2019
Framed by breathtaking mountains, the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Switzerland is a magnificent property with views of the Jungfrau massif in beautiful Interlaken.
Dating back to 1865 when it officially opened for business, this hotel offers a winsome blend of yesteryears elegance with modern touches. With 22 meeting and banquet rooms, it’s an excellent choice for those who are looking to host nuptials marked by finesse and sophistication. Travel back in time with the majestic interiors of La Salle De Versailles, La Salle Général Guisan and Le Salon Napoléon, or leisurely explore La Salle Côte Jardin and L`Orangerie for a more contemporary vibe with lots of natural light.
The hotel’s 216 rooms are individually decorated in styles spanning from traditional luxury to refreshing modern art, which are sure to suit everyone’s diverse sensibilities.
With experienced event planners on board, the hotel guarantees you a dream wedding. To plan and execute Indian weddings with elan, the hotel works in close collaboration with Tehiya Narvel Events, a highly recognized wedding planning company in Switzerland. With their open yet intimate spaces, impeccable services and an unwavering emphasis on luxury, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa promises to make your celebrations unforgettable.
We spoke to Claudia Hugentobler, Convention & Incentive Director, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, and Tehiya of Tehiya Narvel Events about what makes the resort a great choice for Indian weddings.
Switzerland has a special place in the hearts of Indians thanks to Bollywood, and a celebration here is bound to be a dream come true for a vast majority. What are the kinds of experiences /services that Indian couples can expect at the hotel that will make their celebration unique while keeping it close to their roots and cultural sentiments?
Claudia: With its stunning landscape, Interlaken is one of the most favored shoot locations for Bollywood movies. The extensive selection of outdoor activities and mountain excursions makes Interlaken the perfect spot for not just your wedding, but also pre and post-wedding experiences for the couple and their guests.
Outside the hotel, there is a lot of space to set up specific or thematic outdoor celebrations. Has the hotel played host to Indian weddings thus far?
Claudia: Yes the property has an abundance of outdoor venues that include two stunning lakes, several castles and heritage buildings. They are perfect for Indian wedding setups that are often extravagant in their use of colors, props and decor. So far, we have hosted several weddings, including the nuptial celebrations in an extremely prominent family.
The wedding decor is what sets the right tone at a wedding. Does the property have wedding planners and decorators on its panel who a couple could work with?
Claudia: Our in-house wedding specialists and trusted planners like Tehiya Narvel Events take a deep and personal enthusiasm in planning weddings at all scales to make it an unforgettable experience for couples. Apart from working with vendors hired by the client, we also offer the services of our in-house florist who can provide decorations customized to any demands. Furthermore, we work with excellent partners that strive relentlessly and tailor their services to each individual requirement.
Indians share a great love for food and this is a factor that determines the success of an event. Additionally, many Indian families follow a strictly vegetarian diet. Are your chefs comfortable preparing a spread that matches Indian tastes as well as dietary preferences, and is the hotel open to working with caterers that the couple may have chosen?
Claudia: We aim to serve clients from all over the world and understand the importance of respecting cultural nuances in order to make them feel welcome and have a great experience during their stay here. Our Executive Chef Stefan Beer is a celebrated international Chef and has been associated with top establishments in Hongkong, Singapore, Shangai, etc. We are proud to have 16 Gault Milau Points for our culinary excellence and our chefs are completely comfortable tailoring menus to suit regional palettes for Indian weddings including strict dietary preferences. Additionally, our team is open to working with external caterers as per the client’s preferences.
An Indian wedding includes several rituals that may not be possible to conduct at a lot of international venues (pheras – which is a ceremony that requires fire to be lit – in indoor spaces, baraat which is a large and often noisy procession marking the groom’s arrival, and so on). Are there any restrictions that couples need to keep in mind when hosting a wedding there?
Claudia: The hotel is a heritage structure that dates back 150 years, and we have stringent policies in place for the safety of the property and our valued guests. Hence, we do not allow any open fires inside the premises, as do none of the other heritage hotels. However, we understand the importance of rituals in every culture and our team does their best to customize the arrangements to accommodate our guests. We do allow havans with small flames with which pandits can carry out the customary rituals.
What are some of the local must-have experiences in Interlaken for the wedding party? Does Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa provide any services in this regard?
Claudia: One of the biggest selling points is definitely the location of the hotel. The idyllic vistas of snowy mountains make for a life-changing experience. From mountain excursions to boating on pristine lakes, there are many pre- and post-wedding activities that guests can engage in. The hotel itself offers various historic meeting rooms that can be used for various functions.
What are some trends in the Indian wedding industry? How does Tehiya Narvel Events incorporate them for their Indian clientele while planning a wedding in this landscape?
Tehiya: While wedding trends serve as a great source of inspiration, I look beyond mere trends and into the couple’s story. Weddings are very personal and an expression of a mix of childhood fantasies. We take the client’s vision and give it tangibility. I personally like to take inspiration from the venue, landscape, and nature as well.
Lastly, for all the Bollywood fans, tell us about the Yash Chopra suite and the kind of response that it has received.
Claudia: Dreamy shots of Switzerland have been a big part of classic Yash Chopra movies, inspiring an entire generation of impassioned movie buffs to visit the country, boosting the tourism sector in a big way. Several honors have been bestowed upon the great director as a tribute, one of which is the Yash Chopra Suite. Guests are very enthusiastic to stay in the suite.
To explore Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa for your wedding, click here.
