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The voters in the municipality of Surses today voted in favour of the municipality’s purchase of the former Hotel Cube by a majority of 75 per cent. This clears the way for the conversion into a youth hostel, which will be operated in future by the Swiss Youth Hostels. The municipality, destination and project partners see this as an important stimulus for the region’s tourism and economic development. The aim is to reopen at the start of the 2026/27 winter season.

Following the very clear approval of the municipal assembly in February, the municipality of Surses voted in favour of the purchase of the former Hotel Cube in Savognin on 29 March 2026, with 75 per cent of votes in favour. The property can therefore be purchased by the municipality and will be reopened as a youth hostel in future. It will be operated by the Swiss Youth Hostels (SYH), which will manage the property on behalf of the municipality. With this decision, the municipality is securing a strategically important infrastructure in the tourist centre of Savognin. The hotel building with around 280 beds and the adjoining building have been empty for several years and will now be put to use again.

Important project for destination and operator
The municipality, Tourismus Val Surses and project partners see the decision as an important step in the further development of tourism in Val Surses. The reopening of the building is intended to generate additional overnight stays and improve the utilisation of existing offerings. The municipality of Surses welcomes the decision of the electorate: “The reactivation of the existing infrastructure as a youth hostel is a key step in the tourism development of our destination. It strengthens value creation in the valley, creates jobs and specifically appeals to new guest segments. Strong tourism is the livelihood of our valley,” says Daniel Wasescha, mayor. The planned youth hostel is aimed in particular at families, groups and schools and complements the existing accommodation offering in the valley. At the same time, it is intended to help strengthen the destination’s position as a year-round destination.

With the Swiss Youth Hostels, an experienced organisation will be running the property. They operate a nationwide network of currently 50 youth hostels and, through Hostelling International, bring with them global visibility and strong sales channels. “As a destination, Val Surses is a valuable addition to our network. We look forward to working with the municipality to create an offering that appeals to new guests and enables sustainable experiences. By integrating it into platforms in Switzerland and abroad, the new youth hostel should generate additional demand and increase awareness of the region in the long term,” says SYH CEO Janine Bunte. Albert Kruker, CEO from Tourismus Val Surses Savognin Bivio AG adds: “With Savognin Youth Hostel, we will be able to increase the number of guests required for the sustainable development of the destination, while improving the utilisation of our offerings. The location between the mountain railway and the lake couldn’t be better for a youth hostel. The reopening provides the impetus for a number of tourism developments in Val Surses. We look forward to working together.”

Next steps
Following the positive vote, the municipality will complete the purchase of the property and initiate the further steps towards its renovation and reopening as a youth hostel. The aim is to open the youth hostel at the start of the 2026/2027 winter season.

Trin Youth Hostel is a partner of the mountain forest project and combines sustainable accommodation with social responsibility and fair working conditions. It also serves as a meeting place for locals and visitors, organises lunches for schoolchildren as well as women’s coffee meetups and provides clubs with space to exchange ideas. Under the leadership of Lea Fuchs, the establishment received the “Best of ibex fairstay 2026” award from the Swiss sustainability label in the category “Best social commitment”. 

If you want to experience winter in Switzerland, you don’t have to spend a fortune. The Swiss Youth Hostels show that alpine experiences, wellness and culture are possible even on a tighter budget – without sacrificing style, comfort and atmosphere.

The network of Swiss Youth Hostels comprises numerous hostels that are ideal for a stay in the colder months of the year. These include hostels in the mountains, for example.

Sun and fun in the snow at a fair price
In Davos, Pontresina, St. Moritz, Valbella-Lenzerheide and Schaan-Vaduz (Principality of Liechtenstein), guests wake up in the midst of nature with views of snow-covered mountain panoramas and ski slopes right nearby. The Davos ski package, for example, offers accommodation and breakfast in the historic Kurhaus ambience, including a ski pass. In the Engadin, the “Sleep & Ski” offer impresses with day passes from CHF 47. Looking to improve your cross-country skiing skills? Book the Pontresina cross-country skiing package, a camp offering classes on more than 200 kilometres of trails right on your doorstep. One insider’s tip is the Ski special in Schaan-Vaduz – three nights with half-board and a ski pass for the small but exquisite Malbun ski area from CHF 369 per person. And for those who prefer to spend the night on the ski slopes, Valbella-Lenzerheide Youth Hostel is a great place to stay, as it’s located right next to the ski lift and the slopes – as close as it gets.

Wellness with a view
If you want to relax after getting in your fix of winter sports or just want to relax in general, you’ll also find what you’re looking for at the youth hostels. At wellnessHostel3000 in Laax, you can head into winterwith the“3-for-2” offer – including admission to the Aua Grava Spa with sauna, steam bath and views of Lake Laax. In Saas-Fee, wellnessHostel4000 awaits guests with a massage and spa lunch basket, and Wellnesshostel3000 St-Luc in Val d’Anniviers offers a delightful blend of wellness and culinary surprises in a stylish, welcoming grand hotel atmosphere.

Cheese, culture and community
Our youth hostels in various Swiss cities offer atmospheric alternatives for those who prefer to spend winter in an urban setting: The cosy winter Raclette yurt has returned to Bern, with a view of the Federal Palace. Christmas dinners in the Mariastein and Burgdorf castle hostels are also a nice way to start the quiet season – ideal for groups, clubs and companies.

Christmas markets on the doorstep of the youth hostels
Cities are very popular with visitors in the colder months of the year, especially in the run-up to Christmas. A visit to the Christmas markets located near the youth hostels is a must. Basel, for example, is home to Switzerland’s oldest Christmas market, Bern’s Stärnemärit enchants visitors, Lucerne’s Franziskanerplatz transforms into a Christmas village, and several traditional Christmas markets can be found between Zurich’s main railway station and Seebecken. Guests staying at a youth hostel in Western Switzerland can also enjoy the festive Christmas atmosphere – for example in Lausanne in the Flon district, at Place St-François and Place Pépinet, in Montreux along the lakeside promenade or at Place Centrale in Martigny.

Whether you’re looking for some fun on the slopes, a hot sauna, an evening of raclette or a Christmas
market, the Swiss Youth Hostels offer a different way to experience winter: authentic, affordable, full of
variety. More information about winter at the Swiss Youth Hostels can be found here.

One of the Swiss Youth Hostels is celebrating a higher Ibex certification. The Swiss sustainability label Ibex Fairstay has recertified Mariastein Youth Hostel. The hostel has climbed from Gold to the highest level, Platinum.

Its efforts and improvements in the area of ecology were highlighted, particularly considering the challenges of operating within a historic castle setting. Special praise also goes to hostel manager Andrea Adamer, whose commitment was key to achieving this outstanding result.

Every year, the Swiss sustainability label ibex fairstay presents an award to four truly outstanding accommodation providers. Engelberg Youth Hostel stood out in the category «Strongest regional roots» and was honoured with the «Best of ibex fairstay» award at the Hospitality Summit. 

The jury highlighted several reasons that contributed to this outstanding achievement. Engelberg Youth Hostel proves that even a traditional mountain hostel in the typical Swiss style can be successful in achieving sustainability certification. A ten-minute walk from the town centre, it is the ideal starting point for families and solo travellers in the midst of a diverse skiing and hiking area. Guests are treated to a culinary experience with an above-average share of regional products – drinks included. The naturally designed garden is an inviting space for relaxing or playing. In its communications, the youth hostel highlights its proximity to the train station, successfully encouraging a large number of guests to arrive by public transport. The wide range of external and internal events gives guests a more mindful experience of the place and its culture. With a great deal of warmth and hospitality, the youth hostel has grown into an important service provider in the Engelberg tourist region.

The Swiss Youth Hostels would like to congratulate the team around Isabel Urbanski on this outstanding achievement and are proud to operate this hostel in the network.

The Swiss Youth Hostels are building a new youth hostel in French-speaking Switzerland. A state-of-the-art facility is being developed in Switzerland’s second-largest city in close collaboration with the city of Geneva. The opening is scheduled for mid-July 2026, and bookings are now possible. The youth hostel, which also includes a public restaurant, is being built as part of an overall project with social housing and sports facilities on Route de Vernier.

The Swiss Youth Hostels are continuously expanding their network in French-speaking Switzerland, today celebrating the topping-out ceremony for their new hostel in Geneva, which will open in July 2026 and is now available for booking. With Geneva Youth Hostel, which is located in a new neighbourhood, the Swiss Youth Hostels are establishing a youth hostel in a strategically important location. «With its airport and the associated connections to international markets, Geneva is the most important gateway to Western Switzerland for travellers from all over the world. As a member of the global umbrella organisation Hostelling International, we expect high demand from international guests. At the same time, Geneva is an important destination for schools, groups, families and solo travellers from Switzerland who are looking for affordable, ultra-modern accommodation,» says Janine Bunte, CEO of the Swiss Youth Hostels.

The new «place to be»: youth hostel, restaurant and sports facility
The new Geneva Youth Hostel has a total of 176 beds in 61 rooms, with 24 rooms offering barrier-free access. Featuring double, 4-bed, 6-bed and family rooms, the wide mix of rooms is ideal for sports groups, clubs, schools, solo travellers and families. The private double and family rooms have their own shower/WC.

The youth hostel reception and the trendy public à la carte restaurant Yoummi are located on the ground floor of the seven-storey building. It’s got everything guests, locals and sports clubs need to stay fuelled all day long: from a sumptuous breakfast buffet to a tasty lunch, an afternoon snack all the way to dinner. It is also ideally situated as a place to spend time together with the sports club after a challenging training session or as a team after work in a cosy atmosphere. «All public areas are available both to our youth hostel guests and to the entire neighbourhood,» says Janine Bunte. On the first floor are the leisure and play areas for overnight guests as well as two modern seminar rooms with a capacity for 20 people each.

The new youth hostel is also particularly attractive for sports clubs, as sports fields and halls, a fitness centre and football pitches are located right next to the new building. In addition, a Helsana Trail starts right outside the youth hostel’s doorstep, which running fans can complete at various levels of difficulty.

Top location for solo travellers, business travellers and researchers
The new youth hostel is very well connected and is therefore suitable for tourists, but also for business travellers and researchers from national and international universities. From Geneva Airport, the youth hostel can be reached in 15 minutes by public transport. Geneva city centre, the railway station, Lake Geneva and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), for example, are all within 20 to 30 minutes by public transport. Adrien Genier, Director of Genève Tourisme & Congrès, emphasises: «The new youth hostel in Geneva is a great addition to our tourism offering. Ideally situated between the city centre and the airport, it offers affordable, high-quality accommodation with an appealing design. That’s why the hostel fits so well with our strategy to attract both leisure and conference guests. We want to establish Geneva as an open, accessible and attractive destination for all travellers and the youth hostel brings us one step closer to this goal.»

The path to the new Geneva Youth Hostel
The consortium DLP architectes associés, eric dunant atelier d’architectes sàrl et lopes & perinet-marquet architectes EPFL sàrl won the competition for the new building project – the Geneva-based office lopes&perinet-marquet architectes epfl sàrl is now responsible for the planning and execution.

The building owner is the Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism (SFST). «We are delighted that the construction work on the new youth hostel is proceeding according to plan and that we are reaching another milestone in this great project with the topping out ceremony,» says René Dobler, CEO of the Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism.

One important partner is the Fondation de la Ville de Genève pour le logement social (FVGLS), which is realising two buildings with a total of 50 social housing units in the same district as part of the urban development project. As with all new youth hostel buildings by the SFST, this project in Geneva is placing a particular focus on sustainability. Built to the highest environmental standards, the hostel will be managed by the Swiss Youth Hostels with maximum efficiency.

Geneva Youth Hostel key data:

Address: Chemin Jeanne-HERSCH 6, 1219 Châtelaine
Beds: 176

Room availability: 
35 double rooms with private shower/WC
6 family rooms with private shower/WC
16 4-bed rooms with washbasin
4 6-bed rooms with washbasin

Barrier-free access: 24 rooms have barrier-free access
Price per overnight stay: from CHF 49 per person including breakfast buffet
 

The city of Martigny and the Swiss Youth Hostels are celebrating an opening together: Martigny Youth Hostel has been welcoming guests since the end of February 2025. The hostel in a historic building is the ideal accommodation for food, culture and nature lovers who want to discover the region on their own, with their families or in a small group.

The network of Swiss Youth Hostels (SYH) is growing: The new Martigny Youth Hostel has been welcoming guests since 28 February. For the hostel, the historic «Bâtiment de l’Horloge» – an important building for the region – was renovated over the course of two years. The building is owned by the city and the SYH is responsible for running the youth hostel. The 48 beds in total are divided into double, family, 4-bed and 6-bed rooms – all with their own shower and WC. The variety of rooms is ideal for accommodating individual travellers, couples and families, as well as clubs and smaller groups. «With Martigny Youth Hostel, the Swiss Youth Hostels can reinforce their presence in this attractive tourist region of Western Switzerland,» says Janine Bunte, CEO of the Swiss Youth Hostels, delighted at today’s opening press conference.

The hostel also offers two small lounges, a games room, a bicycle/ski room, a small reception and a cosy vaulted cellar for breakfast. Dinner is also available for groups on request. One highlight is the arcade on Rue du Bourg, where guests can observe the hustle and bustle of the alley. Due to the historical nature of the building, the youth hostel has limited barrier-free access: The breakfast room and one room on the first floor are easily accessible by wheelchair. The youth hostel is run as a two-season operation under the direction of hostel manager Anouk Moret. This year, the youth hostel is open continuously until the end of October and in winter from the end of November to the beginning of April 2026. In the first year of operation, the Swiss Youth Hostels expect around 4,500 overnight stays, which is projected to increase steadily in the following years.

Strong partnerships
The city of Martigny and the Swiss Youth Hostels already looked at several options for a hostel in the past. The newly opened youth hostel was finally realised by the city of Martigny. «Martigny, a city of transit and culture, benefits from year-round tourism that is ideal for fans of sport, events and discoveries. Situated at a strategic hub, the city records around 117,000 overnight stays every year and offers a wide range of services with eleven hotels, campsites and inns. With tourism growing steadily, the city of Martigny is delighted to be able to count on a new high-quality offering,» says Anne-Laure Couchepin Vouilloz, Mayor of Martigny. Architect Nicolas Coutaz from the local architecture firm Atelier-IT planned the conversion of the building dating back to 1645 into a youth hostel.

The project would not have been possible without the generous support of Léeonard Gianadda and the Fondation Léonard Gianadda Mécénat. Patron Léonard Gianadda, who has now sadly passed away, fully covered the renovation costs of CHF 4 million in order to make his dream of a youth hostel in his hometown a reality. «Léonard Gianadda was an exceptional person with a big heart. Sharing was what made him happy. The youth hostel he initiated is a wonderful example of this. With it and all his patronage, his memory continues to shine down on us,» says Caty Darbellay, member of the Board of Trustees of the Léonard Gianadda Foundation – Mécénat.

«We are grateful to have been able to enter into two excellent partnerships with the City of Martigny and the Fondation Léonard Gianadda Mécénat and to be able to incorporate this new business into our network through their support,» explains Janine Bunte. «We are convinced that the hostel will establish itself as the ideal accommodation in the region, especially for people on a tight budget, and that we will be able to offer all our guests encounters and experiences outside their familiar surroundings.»

Whether summer or winter: Adventure and culture are right on your doorstep
Martigny Youth Hostel is located in the historic district of Martigny-Bourg on a lively promenade with numerous cafés, bistros and traditional shops. It is the ideal starting point for a variety of activities in the region. In the warmer months, visitors are drawn from far and wide to the Valais, renowned for its fantastic hikes and cycling tours that weave through the region’s countless vineyards. In winter, the region is ideal for action-packed days of snow sports in the surrounding small, family-friendly ski resorts of Les Marécottes, Vichères Bavon, La Fouly, Champex, Ovronnaz and Verbier 4Vallées, the largest ski resort in Switzerland.

Culture aficionados will also love the charming town at the foot of the 13th-century Château de la Bâtiaz: One gem of the region is the internationally renowned Fondation Pierre Gianadda, which offers art collections, archaeological exhibitions, a vintage car park, concerts and one of the five most beautiful sculpture parks in Europe. Barryland is also nearby, where visitors can learn all about the Swiss national dog, the St. Bernard. The Roman amphitheatre and the many smaller galleries and museums in the colourful alleys are also worth a visit. In a nutshell: Guests can enjoy a varied and eventful stay in Martigny all year round.

Key data for Martigny Youth Hostel:

Beds: 48

Room availability:     

6 double rooms with private shower/WC
4 four-bed rooms with private shower/WC
2 six-bed rooms with private shower/WC
2 family rooms with private shower/WC

Barrier-free access:     One double room with shower/WC has barrier-free access.

Sample prices (per person/night including breakfast buffet and Swiss Youth Hostels membership):
Overnight stay in a 6-bed room with private shower/WC including breakfast buffet from CHF 50.
Overnight stay in a 4-bed room with private shower/WC including breakfast buffet from CHF 55
Overnight stay in a double room with private shower/WC including breakfast buffet from CHF 72.

Groups and schools benefit from opening discounts. The new Geneva Youth Hostel will open its doors in summer 2026. Bookings for groups and schools are already possible. Groups benefit from a 20% discount on bookings made by the end of 2025.  

Thanks to the reduced school rates, school classes have access to even more attractive rates (per child/night): 

• Including Breakfast buffet CHF 50 
• Half board CHF 59 instead of 65 
• Full board CHF 68 instead of 75 

If the school or group trip is booked by the end of 2025, one of the two seminar rooms with space for up to 20 people each can be rented free of charge. Ideal for lectures, theory lessons, evening programmes or other activities away from the other youth hostel guests. 

The tried-and-tested, sumptuous breakfast buffet is always included. Anyone planning a group or school trip can choose flexibly whether to book lunch and a three-course dinner in the hotel’s own public restaurant Yoummi. The gastronomy offer also includes an à la carte bistro, a selection of snacks and a hip bar open 24 hours a day.  

The ultra-modern youth hostel offers affordable accommodation close to CERN and Geneva International Airport. Sports fields and halls, a fitness centre and football pitches are located right next to the new building. In addition, a Helsana Trail begins right outside the youth hostel door, which fans can complete at various levels of difficulty. 

After around two years of construction, the new addition to the Swiss Youth Hostels network will open on 28 February 2025 in the historic district of Martigny-Bourg. This project was only possible thanks to the generous support of patron Léonard Gianadda and the city of Martigny. The 48 beds in a building steeped in history are now available for booking.

The Swiss Youth Hostels network is growing: Advance sales for the brand-new Martigny Youth Hostel start today. For the hostel, the historic «Bâtiment de l’Horloge» – an important building for the region – was renovated over the course of two years. The 48 beds in total are divided into double, family, 4-bed and 6-bed rooms – all with their own shower and WC. The variety of rooms is ideal for individual travellers, families and couples, as well as school classes and groups. «We are delighted to be able to close the gap in the Rohne Valley with the opening of Martigny Youth Hostel and expand our presence in French-speaking Switzerland,» emphasises Janine Bunte, CEO of the Swiss Youth Hostels.

The hostel also offers two lounges, a games room, luggage storage, a dining room in the cosy vaulted cellar, a small reception and a lift. One highlight is the terrace directly on the Roue du Bourg, where guests can observe the hustle and bustle of the alley. Due to the historical nature of the building, the youth hostel has limited barrier-free access: The dining room and two rooms on the first floor are easily accessible by wheelchair.

Adventure and culture right on your doorstep
Martigny Youth Hostel is located in the historic district of Martigny-Bourg on a lively promenade with numerous cafés, bistros and traditional shops. It is the ideal starting point for a multitude of activities in the region. On nice days, extensive hikes and bike tours through the vineyards of Valais entice visitors during the warm months and Indian summers, when the landscape changes colour. In winter, the region is ideal for action-packed days of snow sports in the surrounding small and family-friendly ski resorts of Les Marécottes, Vichères Bavon, La Fouly, Champex, Ovronnaz and the famous Verbier 4Vallées ski resort.

Culture aficionados will also love the picturesque town at the foot of the 13th century Château de la Bâtiaz: One gem of the region is the internationally renowned Fondation Gianadda, which offers art collections, archaeological exhibitions, a vintage car park, one of the five most beautiful sculpture parks in Europe and concerts. Barryland is also nearby, where visitors can learn all about the Swiss national dog, the St. Bernard. In a nutshell: Guests will experience a «touch of France» during a stay in Martigny with its romantic flair. The Roman amphitheatre and the many smaller galleries and museums in the colourful alleys are also worth a visit.

A project close to the heart in Martigny by Léonard Gianadda
Martigny Youth Hostel would not have been possible without the generous donation of Léonard Gianadda, who has now sadly passed away. He fondly remembered his stays at the youth hostels as a teenager and wanted to make one in his home town a reality. And so he financed the entire conversion of the historic «Bâtiment de l’Horloge» into a youth hostel. Built in 1645, the building served as a community hall, school and lodging for soldiers.

The city of Martigny is the owner of the property. The Swiss Youth Hostels will act as the operator of the youth hostel in future. The conversion was planned and realised in cooperation with the local architecture firm atelier-it. “This project is a great success. On the one hand, it has successfully preserved the soul and history of the building's architecture, while equipping it with state-of-the-art technology. On the other hand, it will further enhance the vibrancy already present in Martigny-Bourg. We are very much looking forward to the opening scheduled for next February”, says Anne-Laure Couchepin Vouilloz, President of the City of Martigny.

Key data for Martigny Youth Hostel:

Beds: 48
Room availability:
6 double rooms with private shower/WC
4 four-bed rooms with private shower/WC
2 six-bed rooms with private shower/WC
2 family rooms with private shower/WC

Barrier-free access: 
One double room on each the 1st and 2nd floors are barrier-free and have a barrier-free shower/WC.

Sample prices (per person/night including breakfast buffet and Swiss Youth Hostels membership):
Overnight stay in a 6-bed room with washbasin including breakfast buffet from CHF 50
Overnight stay in a 4-bed room with washbasin including breakfast buffet from CHF 55
Overnight stay in a double room with shower/WC including breakfast buffet from CHF 72

 

As part of the Hospitality Summit, the Swiss sustainability label ibex fairstay distinguishes four of its members offering particularly outstanding performance. The wellnessHostel4000 in Saas-Fee won the «Best of ibex fairstay 2023» award for the best overall performance. Chantal Anthamatten has been running the hostel with its wellness centre, public indoor swimming pool and restaurant since the very beginning. By continuously pursuing its sustainability goals, the team has managed to run the business in an exemplary manner for both guests and locals. wellnessHostel4000 is an excellent example of how a tourism service provider can also add value for the local population.