The Parkhotel Gunten was built in 1910, as a modern hotel on the Guntenmatte – a parklike expanse on which a small granary was situated. The developer was Adolf Lanzrein, owner of the grain mill in Thun. His wife managed the hotel in the first years after it was opened. In 1915 it was regarded as one of the most modern establishments in the Bernese Oberland. The dream position on the lake and the large and opulent park gave the hotel a unique character.

Difficulties of the war years
As a result of the war, the Parkhotel got into financial difficulties. In 1931 it was taken over by the Bernese Cantonal Bank. After the Second World War, the Bachmann family acquired the hotel from the bank, and it continued to be run by Mr. and Mrs. Bachmann for the next 12 years.
In 1958 Gefab – the Genossenschaft für evangelische Ferien-, Alters- und Bildungsheime [Association of Evangelical Holiday Homes, Homes for the Aged and Educational Centres], a spinoff from the Free Church Congregation of Primitive Christians – purchased the hotel from the Bachmanns. It was run as a Christian centre, managed by a married couple, and served as a holiday home for a wide variety of groups and individual guests.
In the eighties a lot of money was invested in the hotel with the aim of making it a more attractive place to stay in.  

A multigenerational hotel
Today the Parkhotel is a three-star holiday hotel, with 51 rooms and 86 beds. Almost all the rooms have been recently renovated, and have a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. The hotel also has a modern seminar room and group rooms. Other services offered to guests include the spa and beauty centre, a refreshments bar, a fitness room, a children’s play room and table tennis. A wellness suite has been set up in what used to be the boathouse. As well as saunas and a steam bath, the new SPA offers a whirlpool on the sun deck, a classy relaxation room and direct swimming access to the lake. Most of the hotels’ patrons are guests in search of relaxation who look forward to excursions in the mountains nearby.
During the high season many families visit the Parkhotel, so that it becomes a multigenerational establishment. A little over half the guests come from Switzerland, around a quarter from Germany and the rest from all the corners of the earth.

In exceptionally attractive situation
The direct access to the lake, the almost Mediterranean climate of the park, the magnificent view of the lake and mountains of the Bernese Oberland, and the solicitous welcome of the staff all make the Parkhotel Gunten exceptional. The à la carte restaurant offers seating for 70 indoors, as well as two terraces outside with more than 140 seats. With its outstanding cuisine and extensive premises, the hotel restaurant is a popular venue for weddings, anniversary celebrations, family partners and business dinners.

Anne-Lise and Philemon Zwygart took on the management of the Parkhotel Gunten in the spring of 1998. They are the fourth couple to run the hotel since it was founded by Gefab. Their message to visitors: ‘We look forward to having the opportunity of spoiling you in our historic hotel!

Continuity needs known of change
In the autumn 2015 the Parkhotel ‘got the crown‘ threw hotelleriesuisse we are honored by the title 3 Star Superior hotel.

Spring 2016, an important step for the Parkhotel Gunten: After 18 years of managing the Parkhotel, for Mr. and Mrs. Zwygart it was time to say goodbye. The new director Beat Bührer is a passionate hotelier and host and will to continue to write the Parkhotel history with his team.