If, like most of our guests, you enjoy the delicious Alpina honey served at breakfast and used by Chef Martin Göschel in several recipes on his menu, you will be pleased to hear that there are now seven bee colonies at The Alpina Gstaad, and that Stefan Neuhaus has also recently developed two new beehives which will move into the hotel grounds next spring, for a total of nine. "Their design is based on the golden ratio corresponding to the honeycomb structure's sacred geometry" explains Stefan. "Horizontal and parallel forms with a mass of hexagonal cells contain the honey, pollen and brood (bees' eggs, larvae and pupae)."

Our dedicated professional beekeeper does all the work himself, including processing and bottling. "My tasks follow the honey production cycle, with the autumn and winter used for cleaning materials, repairs and other work - which now includes making beeswax candles for Christmas. In the spring, I spend time with the bees several times a week, until the honey harvest at the end of July." Not forgetting the daily beekeeper workshops Stefan holds in summer for guests who want to learn more about our golden nectar and the secret world of these mystical creatures.