Sonnmatt does you good

The doctor Heinrich Ferdinand Hotz and the two lawyers Ludwig Friedrich Meyer and Josef Müller-Müller buy the “Hintere Blank” and “Hemschlen” properties on the Dietschiberg mountain. Hotz is interested in the progressive medicine of his time. He has lively communication with the inventor of Bircher muesli, Dr Max Bircher-Benner. Hotz is also interested in the teachings of Dr Kneipp.

The “Kurhaus Sonn-Matt A.G.” health resort is founded.

On 10 July there is an opening ceremony for the resort building, attended by members of Lucerne’s authorities, doctors, hoteliers and the press. Sonnmatt includes a bathing house and a sun terrace. The resort building can accommodate 100 people. There is an open-air pool shielded from view in the middle of the woods. Now both “Montè Verità” and “Zimmeriwald” allow health resort guests to wander the meadows naked, with strict separation according to gender. The trade press is impressed by the architecture of the building and praises “the harmonious interaction of all parts”.

The health resort offers various services to fill the day. The treatments include peace and rest cures, movement, dietary cures, air and sun baths, hydrotherapy, electric light baths, steam and hot air treatments, as well as electrotherapy. In a particularly progressive move, psychotherapy is added to the health resort. This allows the poet and novelist Hermann Hesse to experience a breakthrough at Sonnmatt thanks to treatment from Dr Lang. The first few years are difficult for Sonnmatt. The First World War brings a drop in revenue. Seasonal operations also involve a lot of work to recruit personnel.

In 1920 Dr Ferdinand Heinrich Hotz is diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. He remains the senior doctor at Sonnmatt in spite of his illness. He also continues to be committed to running the agricultural estate, the commercial forest, and the fruit and vegetable market garden until his death. When Hotz dies on 11 February 1928, he leaves behind a successful and sustainable business. His wife Lydia Hotz-Siegenthaler is left alone with four children.

Dr Fritz Grote takes over the medical leadership of Sonnmatt. In conceptual terms, he continues the business as it was run in the past. Major shareholder Otto Siegenthaler from Gossau in the canton of St. Gallen has a big influence. He is the brother-in-law of Sonnmatt’s founder, comes from a family of cheese makers and is very pragmatic. He correctly assesses the economic position, limits expenditure and only invests cautiously.

Numerous prominent guests come to Sonnmatt, including Herrmann Hesse, and Paul and Lily Klee.

Dr Heinrich Willy Hotz takes over the medical leadership of Sonnmatt. The skilled specialist in internal medicine is a lecturer at the University of Zurich and a senior doctor at the university hospital. Difficult years lie ahead. The transition from natural medicine to medicine based on science hits the business hard. Guest numbers decline due to the war. In 1950 there is a crisis of confidence and a falling out. Otto Siegenthaler sells his shares to the Basel-based hotelier Walter Bossi, without telling his nephew. Dr Heinrich Willy Hotz immediately resigns, steps down from his position on the Administrative Board and gives the shares to his sons.

Walter Bossi and his cautious nature dominate Sonnmatt for two decades. His wife, Helene Bossi-Brönnimann, also contributes to Sonnmatt’s great success. The Bossis are quickly able to build a trusting relationship with the new Head of Medicine, Dr Hans Meier-Schaefer, which lasts for many years. Guest numbers increase, and occupancy figures are outstanding. Sonnmatt is popular with Jewish guests, among others. They come from across Europe to rest and recover, and are happy to recommend Sonnmatt to other people. In 1964 Helene Bossi-Brönnimann dies. This is a shock for Sonnmatt.

Dr Hans Meier-Schaefer hands in his notice in 1970. In 1973 majority shareholder Walter Bossi sells his shares to the company Anliker AG. After several changes in doctors, a more settled period finally arrives. On 1 October 1973, the couple Hans and Annelies Swierstra become Directors and take over the management of Sonnmatt.

When Hans Swierstra takes over as Director, there are 25 guests at Sonnmatt, who are being looked after by 40 employees. At this point, a room costs CHF 68 per night on a full-board basis. Sonnmatt no longer meets modern standards. The linoleum floor still dates from 1910, and in some places is as thin as paper. Out of 70 rooms, just 25 have a bath/shower and toilet. An innovative and successful period begins at Sonnmatt. The reception area and guest lounges are renovated. En suite bathrooms are fitted in the rooms. In 1976, the founder’s grandson, Dr Rainer Hotz, takes over the medical leadership of the private clinic. In 1979, the fourth storey, which was previously used for staff accommodation, is extended to provide more double rooms. A new road is built, meaning that it is also possible to access Sonnmatt from Schädrütistrasse in the east.

In 1980, the couple Manuel and Irmgard de Francisco take over as directors and run Sonnmatt. 1981 sees the arrival of acupuncture at Sonnmatt. The acupuncture and biomedicine ward, which is run by Dr Slobodan Milic, is almost always fully booked. In 1983, the Hemschlen farm directly opposite Sonnmatt’s main entrance is shut down and abandoned. Engine noise and odours from the pig farm had caused complaints for many years.

Older people came for a week, and then another week, stayed for longer and, ultimately, they were here permanently. Due to changing needs, Sonnmatt built the side wing to the east, which opened in 1985. After six months, the building was fully occupied. With its three departments (health resort, private clinic with care department and old people’s department), Sonnmatt flourished. Quality was constantly improved. After the unexpected death of Administrative Board President Paul Bosshard, the general meeting in 1993 elects Xaver Sigrist from Anliker AG as the new President.

In 1999, the Residence opens following 18 months of construction. The contemporary building was designed by the architectural office Scheitlin-Syfrig & Partner. All 33 apartments are rented out even before the official opening. It obviously met the need among independent older couples and single people for a beautiful place to live. The east wing of Sonnmatt was also expanded to offer bigger treatment rooms for more guests and wellness facilities with a swimming pool and sensory pool.

Sonnmatt closes on 1 September 2004. The venerable main building had become a little long in the tooth, and guest expectations for the comfort of a hotel had increased. The rooms and bathrooms are made bigger and airier. The Art Nouveau character of the building is restored in close cooperation with cultural heritage preservation authorities. The renovation is managed by the architectural office Meletta Strebel Zangger. When Sonnmatt reopens on 5 May 2005, the guests are excited. However, Dr Slobodan Milic had become ill just as the building work was getting started. Everyone is very sad when the doctor dies shortly after the reopening. In 2006, Dr Grazyna Clavadetscher takes over from the experienced, popular acupuncturist.

After 32 years of responsible and successful work, Dr Rainer Hotz tells the Administrative Board that he intends to retire in 2007. Both employees and patients are sorry to hear this. Dr Rolf Krieger takes over as his successor in the same year.

The health resort marks its 100th birthday with a big celebration and a book documenting Sonnmatt’s history.

Thesy and Manuel de Francisco, who had been the Directors for many years, retire in 2011. Sonnmatt now gets its first female sole Director, with Annette Badillo taking charge.

Due to regulatory provisions, the Administrative Board decides to close the private clinic and instead to work with the hospital Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna for medical management. Prof. Reto Krapf takes over the medical management of Sonnmatt.

Following the closure of the private clinic, the east wing is renovated and the health resort is expanded. A total of 2.3 million Swiss francs is invested in the expansion. The rooms and apartments are decked out with walnut flooring, hospital quality beds and premium furniture.

In October 2014, Sonnmatt Lucerne helps out Sunneziel Meggen old people’s home. It is being renovated and the old people find a temporary home at Sonnmatt. The pensioners move back to Meggen on 2 April 2016. Sonnmatt changes its name to “Sonnmatt Luzern Kurhotel & Residenz” [Sonnmatt Lucerne Health Resort & Residence]. This quickly communicates the location and services provided by the institution and its rich traditions. An open day is held for the first time in May 2015, which is attended by over 1000 curious visitors.

In October 2016, the Sonnmatt Lucerne rehabilitation clinic opens in the east wing of Sonnmatt for musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation. A new dining room and lounge is built between the east wing and health resort building for the rehabilitation clinic patients. Extensive work is also carried out to adapt Sonnmatt Lucerne to digital needs. The range of services is also adjusted, as Sonnmatt Lucerne now has its own home care service. Annette Badillo, who is highly respected by employees and guests alike, decides to take early retirement in 2018.

Annette Badillo is succeeded by Urs Niffeler. In his previous job, he was Head of the Health Authority of the Canton of Aargau. Urs Niffeler comes from Mauensee in the Canton of Lucerne and has been Director of Sonnmatt Lucerne since May 2018. He is assisted in his work by Deputy Director Ruth Betschart.