Melnq8

We might be spending Christmas Day in Switzerland this year, possibly in Scuol, Zuoz or Sils Maria.

Just wondering what to expect closure-wise so we can plan accordingly. Any options for food on Christmas Day? Will gondolas, and mountain transport be operating?

We spent Easter in Kandersteg a few years back and were surprised at how many places were open.

Ingo

Basically everything except (public) offices will be open. Not sure about grocery stores and other shops, but I think they will be open at least for some hours. It's peak season for tourism! Tourists will go skiing, so mountain transport and public transport in general *must* be operating (in high gear!)

Definitely peek inside Hotel Waldhaus in Sils, spend an hour having coffee or tea in the hall. Wonderful ambience.

Melnq8

Definitely good to know Ingo, thanks.

Sojourntraveller

Yes, peak season and most places will be open and happy to take your money.

I've stayed at the Waldhaus Ingo and agree it has a great ambience.

If you like 'peeking' in such places, have you been to the Grand Hotel Giessbach? Another far from average hotel with great ambience. But not in the same area of course.
http://www.giessbach.ch/en/grandhotel-giessbach.html

Pepper_von_snoot

Grand Hotel Geissbach aka House of Dark Shadows is a spooky hotel. You expect to see Barnabas Collins coming out of the toilet.

It cost something like 10 CHF just to ride the funicular up. Not covered by any Swiss Pass or Card.

I had coffee and chocolate cake on the terrace there in 2011.

Thin

Sojourntraveller

I've stayed there a couple of times Pepper after hiking down from Faulhorn and the 'hotel' there. A great contrast from very simple to very elegant.