Michel Wichman Excellence in Alpine Hospitality

Michel Wichman Defining Sustainable Excellence in Alpine Hospitality and Strategic Advisory

Michel Wichman Interview

Every person is different, and therefore every person has a different idea of what constitutes a fulfilling life. But one thing is the same for all of us: we have to think about what we want from life and how we can achieve it.

Michel Wichman is a Dutch-Swiss hotelier, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor with more than three decades of experience in the international hospitality industry. Born in the Eindhoven region of the Netherlands, he was educated in hotel management and business administration before building his professional career in Switzerland. Over the years, he has combined hands-on operational leadership with entrepreneurial independence and long-term strategic thinking, establishing a reputation for understated quality, consistency, and sustainable value creation.

From leading one of Gstaad’s most prominent luxury hotels to founding an award-winning independent property and advising complex hospitality developments, Michel Wichman’s career reflects a belief that real success in hospitality is built on substance rather than spectacle.

A Career Grounded in Fundamentals

The Worlds Times: Michel, your career spans hotel operations, entrepreneurship, and strategic advisory. What principles have guided you throughout these different roles?

Michel Wichman replied, “I believe hospitality is a craft rooted in fundamentals. Service culture, respect for people, operational discipline, and long-term thinking are far more important than trends. Early in my career, I learned that lasting success is never accidental. It is the result of consistent effort, clear values, and responsibility at every level. That belief has guided me from day one.”

Leading in One of Switzerland’s Most Demanding Markets

From 2004 to 2011, Michel Wichman served as General Manager of the Grand Hotel Bellevue in Gstaad, a destination known for its highly sophisticated international clientele and intense competition.

The Worlds Times: What were your priorities while leading the Grand Hotel Bellevue?

Michel Wichman replied, “Gstaad demands precision. Guests expect excellence without being reminded of it. My focus was on strengthening service culture, improving internal processes, and ensuring that luxury felt effortless. Behind every smooth guest experience is a disciplined operation and a motivated team. Leadership in hospitality means creating clarity and trust so people can perform at their best.”

Creating Hotel Spitzhorn A Personal Vision of Hospitality

In December 2013, together with Ilse, Michel Wichman founded Hotel Spitzhorn in Saanen-Gstaad. The hotel is owned by Baloise Helvetia AG and operated by Wichman Horeca AG, of which he is the owner. Since its opening, Hotel Spitzhorn has been recognized for more than 12 consecutive years as the leading winter hotel in its category in Switzerland.

The Worlds Times: What inspired the creation of Hotel Spitzhorn?

Michel Wichman replied, “We wanted to create a hotel that is honest and authentic. Hotel Spitzhorn follows an understated star philosophy. It is officially a 3-star superior hotel, offers a 4-star level of infrastructure and comfort, and benefits from a 5-star Alpine environment. Guests appreciate quality when it feels genuine, not forced.”

The chalet-style hotel offers approximately 50 guest rooms, a seasonal brasserie-style restaurant, and comprehensive wellness facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, Kneipp facilities, and a fitness area. Its guiding principle, “the lightness of being,” reflects a relaxed, modern, and human-centered approach to hospitality.

Expanding into Strategic Advisory with SwissGlobe Group AG

Parallel to his hotel operations, Michel Wichman is the sole owner of SwissGlobe Group AG, an independent hospitality company specializing in consulting, strategic advisory, and the initiation and guidance of large-scale hospitality projects.

The Worlds Times: Why did you decide to establish SwissGlobe Group AG?

Michel Wichman replied, “After many years in operations, I repeatedly saw the same issues in hotel development. Concepts without clarity, unrealistic financial expectations, and insufficient operational planning. SwissGlobe Group AG was created to support owners, investors, and developers across the entire lifecycle of a hospitality project, from concept creation and market positioning to operational structuring and long-term value creation.”

SwissGlobe Group AG is known for its independent approach, focusing on realistic positioning, operational feasibility, and sustainability rather than short-term trends.

The Mansard Gstaad A Trust-Based Collaboration

SwissGlobe Group AG was also the initiator of The Mansard in Gstaad, a distinctive hospitality and lifestyle project developed together with long-standing partners Rahul and Kapil Bhatia.

Michel Wichman explained, “The Mansard was built on trust, shared entrepreneurial values, and a common vision of understated quality. These elements are essential in any successful partnership.”

As part of the collaboration, Michel Wichman became a co-owner of InterGlobe Gstaad AG, a company established to structure and support the international investment and development framework of the project. After the successful realization and clear market positioning of The Mansard, he sold his shares back to InterGlobe, completing a structured and amicable exit aligned with the project’s strategic objectives.

Supporting Independent Excellence and Future Leaders

Beyond his entrepreneurial activities, Michel Wichman is a co-founder and former president of The Best 3 Star Hotels of Switzerland, an association dedicated to promoting excellence, individuality, and professionalism among independent Swiss hotels.

In January 2026, he will publish his first book in cooperation with Remote Verlag in Germany, titled Die radikale Wahrheit über Erfolg or The Radical Truth About Success.

The Worlds Times: What message do you want readers to take from your book?

Michel Wichman replied, “The book is based on a simple belief. Lasting success comes from taking the stairs, not the elevator. It is about values, honesty, authenticity, personal responsibility, and hard work. These principles apply in business and in life, especially for young entrepreneurs and future leaders.” I originally wrote this book for my son, Moritz, who studies at USC in Los Angeles.

“True success does not come from shortcuts, but from hard work, clear values and positive thinking. My own path is a vivid example of this. From dishwasher to owner of my own hotel, I worked my way up step by step – with dedication, perseverance and the conviction that hard work pays off.

I have learned that nothing comes for free – if you want to get to the top, you have to take the stairs, not the lift.”

“Many people seek quick success and forget that true satisfaction and lasting success are based on authenticity and personal responsibility. That is exactly what this book is about: I share my most important experiences and principles that have helped me overcome setbacks and achieve my goals. Clarity, honesty and providing excellent service are the values that continue to drive me today.”

If you are ready to take responsibility, work on yourself and get the best out of yourself, you will find real inspiration here for a fulfilling life – the life you deserve.

A Philosophy Built to Last

From Hotel Spitzhorn to SwissGlobe Group AG and his upcoming book, Michel Wichman continues to demonstrate that true success in hospitality is built quietly, consistently, and with integrity. His career stands as an example of how clarity, discipline, and human values remain timeless advantages in a rapidly changing world.