The Waldhaus Hotel in Sils Maria was built in between 1905 and 1908 for the experienced hotelier Josef Giger-Nigg according to the plans of architect Karl Koller, who was gaining a reputation as a hotel architect in the Engadine at that time. Both the Waldhaus’s exterior and interiors reveal the transition from the opulent style of the Belle Époque to the simple lines that marked the beginning of the 20th century. The Waldhaus, largely preserved and maintained in its original state, is one of the few five-star hotels to have remained in the hands of the same family since its opening. Even now, it is personally managed by the founding family, now in its fifth generation. Their steadfast dedication to maintaining a long hotel tradition (“a family affair since 1908”) and their highly professional approach to the preservation of the historic property (complete with its own little museum) have recently been honored with several prestigious awards.