Company Profile
Devils Thumb Ranch
Company Overview
For 30 years, the Sonnenalp has established a reputation as the premier place to stay & dine in Vail. Known for its personalized service, luxurious comfort, and warm German hospitality, it has become the standard of excellence throughout the community.
The hotel is located in the heart of Vail Village, steps away from the world-famous Vail ski slopes. It offers guests four on-site and one off-site dining venues, a relaxing spa facility, a private 18-hole golf course, and beautiful banquet and event spaces.
Family owned and operated, the Sonnenalp provides employees a fun, team-oriented workplace providing stability and opportunities for growth and development. We are also proud to be a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Company History
Germany
1919 The Original Sonnenalp Resort was founded in Germany where Eleanore, an innkeeper’s daughter, and Adolf Faessler, a baker, purchased a small ranch house with acreage and eight cows in the Bavarian Alps. They offered their guests Moor mud treatments, a spa service still popular today!
1932 Eleanore and Adolf turned over management responsibilities to their son, Ludwig, and his wife, Resi. They register the Sonnenalp name meaning “sun on the mountains” in Germany.
1964 Management of the Sonnenalp Resort of Bavaria is turned over to son, Karlheinz and his wife, Gretl.
1967 Tragedy struck the Sonnenalp Resort of Bavaria when a fire destroyed the restaurant and 120 beds in the main hotel. The hotel was immediately rebuilt and opened in time for the holiday season that year. The resort opens with 180 employees and sets a new standard for luxury, privacy, health and wellness.
1994 Son, Michael Faessler, assumes management responsibilities and the celebrated European hotel celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Vail
1979 Karlheinz and Gretl fell in love with Vail on a skiing vacation and bought the Wendel Inn Motel. They remodeled it and renamed it the Hotel Sonnenalp.
1985 Karlheinz and Gretl turned over management of the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail to their son, Johannes Faessler.
1986 The Faessler family buys the Kiandra Lodge, which is remodeled to include a new entrance lobby, Ludwig’s Restaurant and the Bully III Pub. The property becomes the Sonnenalp Bavaria Haus and is reopened in December 1986. They purchased the Talisman Lodge and transformed it into the Swiss Haus and subsequently the Swiss Hotel & Spa.
2004 Swiss Hotel & Spa is torn down to build One Willow Bridge Road, which is managed by the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail.
2006 A one year expansion is completed at the hotel, adding new suites and hotel rooms, along with underground parking, retail outlets and the location of the Swiss Chalet Restaurant along Vail’s Meadow Drive.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Member of the Leading Hotels of the World
AAA, 4 Diamond Resort
Benefits
All Sonnenalp employees enjoy the benefits of free transportation in the area, a free shift meal, discounts on hotel stays, restaurants, retail shop items, spa treatments, and golf. In addition, full-time employees qualify for health, vision, dental, life insurance, 401k, sick pay, vacation pay, a financed ski pass program, annual bonus program and more. Employee Housing is available on a limited basis.