It's the end of a great gastronomic era. After more than three decades and 54 summer and winter seasons, Restaurant Sonnenhof is set to close under the management of Louise and Erich Baumer.

It was with great sadness that I heard the news, from the hosts themselves, that “our local favourite”, the Restaurant Sonnenhof, will close under its current management. For many locals and regular visitors alike, the Sonnenhof was never simply "just" a restaurant. It was one of those increasingly rare places that felt reassuringly unchanged: very personal, warm, beautifully kept and quietly woven into the rhythm of life in Saanen.

In a heartfelt statement published this week, the couple announced that the restaurant will not reopen this summer and will no longer continue under their leadership going forward.

The Baumers took over the Sonnenhof as tenants from Liliane Berchtold in 1999, before purchasing the property together with Bach Immobilien AG and Matti Immobilien AG in 2003. In their farewell message, they thanked long-time partners Marcel Bach, Walter Matti and Daniel Matti for their trust and support over the years.

Reflecting on nearly three decades at the helm, Louise and Erich Baumer described the period as both “wonderfully fulfilling” and demanding, marked by countless encounters, friendships and loyal returning guests. Beyond the restaurant itself, they invested significant time and care into maintaining the garden and surroundings, particularly during the quieter shoulder seasons.

The couple cited the increasing pressures of the hospitality industry as a key factor behind their decision. Challenges surrounding staff recruitment, the fast-paced daily workload, and the long hours required to run the business had, they said, become increasingly difficult to sustain.

“It is important to remain reasonable and to take care of one’s health,” they wrote.

Special thanks were extended to their employees, particularly Christine von Siebenthal, who had been with the Sonnenhof since the very beginning of their tenure.

While the Baumers are stepping away from the business, plans are reportedly underway to reopen in winter 2026/27 under the property partners' direction. Further details are expected to be communicated at a later date.

For many in Saanen, the Sonnenhof has long been a familiar fixture of village life — making this summer’s closure the end of a quietly significant chapter in the region’s hospitality scene.

On a final note, I can relay, on behalf of many in the community, that, dearest Louise and Erich, thank you for the many memories and wonderful dinners you have created throughout the years. They will stay with us forever, and you will be missed greatly.

Jeanette Wichmann