Samuel König has been director of the 4-star Hotel Continental Lausanne since July 2025.

Samuel König, after 22 years at the Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport and five years before retirement, you are venturing into a new beginning: what particularly appealed to you about this new role?
After 22 years in the somewhat dreary grey surroundings of Geneva Airport, I am looking forward to a lively environment and the Olympic spirit that surrounds the hotel.

What do you mean by the ‘Olympic spirit’?
The Hotel Continental is closely linked to the Olympic history of Lausanne – the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is located in Lausanne. For several years, the private secretary of IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch lived in the hotel. In addition, the ‘Continental’ has always been the hotel of choice for journalists associated with the IOC.

You are switching from an internationally managed chain hotel to a privately managed hotel group. How different are these two hotel worlds?
It is still a little too early to compare the two businesses. But what immediately struck me was the freedom that an independent hotel has to position itself. There are also far fewer rules regarding marketing, presentation and individual internal work processes.

And in terms of hospitality?
It is not ‘trained’, but lived authentically. Guests feel cared for and appreciated. They are not chasing loyalty points or asking about various bonus programmes in order to become Platinum Members one day.

How would you summarise that?
Guests can interact with the hotel on a more individual basis and are not defined by their status.

The Continental was recently named ‘Best of Ibex Fairstay 2025’ hotel and now bears the gold label. What are the next goals?
We want to inform guests even more about what we are doing in terms of sustainability. Regional roots, for example. The mindset of the new generations is changing us, and we must set a good example to show that we take this seriously.

The well-being of our guests must always come first.

How is sustainability changing the hotel industry today?
The most important component is employee involvement. You have to motivate and encourage them, not just give orders. They need to get involved. Costs must be controlled, and you have to weigh up whether the measures make sense. In addition, guest well-being must always come first.

You have spent a large part of your career in French-speaking Switzerland. What fascinates you about western Switzerland?
I worked in St. Gallen and Zurich at the beginning of my career. But now I am very happy to live on Lake Geneva in a cosmopolitan society. I experience respect and tolerance every day.

The people of western Switzerland are also a little more relaxed than the German-speaking Swiss, aren't they?
I like the relaxed interaction and the fact that people sometimes turn a blind eye when something is not right.

What is your credo?
Friendliness rubs off on those around you. I try to distance myself from complainers and grumpy people (smiles). I see myself more as a mentor who encourages curiosity and a zest for life.

The Hotel Continental celebrated its 60th anniversary. What mark would you like to leave behind?
I turned 60 myself a few days ago. Although I'm due to retire in five years, I feel like I'm in the prime of my life. I want to continue to advance the Hotel Continental.

How?
I want to encourage our employees to inspire our guests and offer them an unforgettable experience. Guests should not doubt our commitment to sustainability, but rather feel inspired to take responsibility themselves. It is about making conscious decisions so that future generations will also have the opportunity to stay in an environmentally friendly hotel. Everyone can contribute in their own way.