April 2008 marks the grand reopening of what was once Zurich’s most prestigious hotel the fabulous Dolder Grand. Now here is a great hotel originally opening in 1899. Over the years this grand dame set the standards for the global hotel industry. Located just 10 minutes from the center of Zurich, overlooking the city and the majestic Alps, the Dolder Grand is perched atop one of the surrounding hills. Here you may spend the day golfing or alternating with the exquisite new spa.

NEW YORK, NY | After closing its doors in July 2004 for an approximate $400 million dollar transformation, The Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland will re-open in April 2008. Managing Director Thomas Schmid, is at the helm and has been overseeing the legendary curhaus (health spa) property renovation from the start and is eager for The Dolder to debut as a luxury city resort and welcome a new generation to discover the property’s blend of past, present and future.

Overseeing the rebirth of The Dolder Grand is an extraordinary honor,” said Schmid. “For more than a century, the hotel has been Zurich’s most desirable address for world leaders, celebrities and discerning travelers alike. With its exquisite refurbishment near ready to debut, I am privileged to have been a part of almost every detail in this landmark renovation and redesign.”

As part of The Dolder Grand’s refurbishment, including the restoration of the main building and addition of a 40,000 square foot spa, along with two new wings – the Spa and Golf wing, Schmid was appointed Managing Director in summer 2006. Since then, he has been responsible for all operations at the 173-room city resort, including managing The Dolder Grand’s four-year renovation – from overseeing construction, to purchasing new furniture for the guest rooms and flatware for the restaurants, to hiring key executive staff – a remarkable feat in the all-too-fluid world of hotel management.

The result will be a sight to behold, with innovations of modern architecture by leading London architects Foster and Partners, new guest rooms – including a quartet of top suites – by United Designers (www.united-designers.com), also of London, and a fresh and inviting new spa concept by international spa consultant Sylvia Sepielli.

Born in Bern, Switzerland in 1965, Schmid graduated from the Lausanne Hotel School in 1991. He held several management positions at hotels in Switzerland and abroad, including at the Montreux Palace in Montreux, Switzerland and the Cipriani in Venice, Italy. Schmid was also Deputy Director of the Grand Hotel in Bad Ragaz, as well as Sales & Marketing Manager at the Baur au Lac in Zurich.

More recently, Schmid spent two years as General Manager of the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa, Switzerland beginning in 2001 before joining The Dolder Grand as General Manager in the summer of 2003.