Arrive & take a deep breath
At Naturidyll Schloss Ragaz, it's not about higher, faster, further.
Instead, we invite you to consciously slow down, relax, and experience a deep connection with nature. Here, we celebrate the breathtaking view of the mountains and enrich our guests with unique, delightful, and simple moments.
The forest at your back, the mountains in view
We look forward to welcoming you to Schloss Ragaz!
Host
Patrick Zettel | Co-owner & Director
A passionate host – from an early age. His parents successfully ran Schloss Ragaz with heart and dedication for over 30 years. Since 1997, Patrick Zettel has led the house as director, bringing fresh energy and a deep commitment to hospitality. His motivation? To continuously evolve and create a special stay for every guest.
History
In the Footsteps of "Panama-Sonderegger"
On a cold and rainy April day in 1938, Bad Ragaz bid farewell to Conrad Sonderegger, known among locals as "Panama-Sonderegger." A long funeral procession made its way through the town: at the front, the local brass band played Chopin’s funeral march, followed by the flags of local associations, municipal representatives, and numerous mourners. The bells of both churches rang as a final tribute was paid to the honorary citizen in front of the Gasthaus Weisses Kreuz. Sonderegger was later laid to rest at the Manegg Cemetery in Zurich.
Editor Fritz Lendi wrote in the Freier Oberländer:
"Conrad Sonderegger has left us forever. But he will live on in the hearts of the people of Ragaz."
Half a century later, the memory of Sonderegger has faded. Yet, his imposing castle, built around 1890 as a lavish summer residence, still stands – now as Hotel Schloss Ragaz. The association flags he once donated still flutter in the wind.
Over time, Sonderegger became a legend. People said he made his fortune during the construction of the Panama Canal and spent his summers in Bad Ragaz. Folk tales turned his story ever more fantastic: some claimed he collected gold from the deceased and fled Panama with an oil barrel full of money.
What remains is his legacy – as an engineer, entrepreneur, and honorary citizen of Bad Ragaz.
Conrad Sonderegger
Engineer, Pioneer & Philanthropist
Conrad Sonderegger was born on June 12, 1858, in Heiden, where he grew up with his siblings. After studying engineering in Munich and Berlin, his career took him far beyond Switzerland. As one of the leading engineers involved in the construction of the Panama Canal, he worked under extreme conditions, overseeing thousands of workers. However, the French company leading the project ultimately failed due to the immense challenges. Upon returning to Switzerland, Sonderegger documented his experiences in a book titled L'achèvement du Canal de Panama.
In 1887, he married Maria Agrippina Zuluaga from Ecuador. The couple had four children and settled in Heiden after their return. There, Sonderegger served as a member of the cantonal council, advocating for infrastructure and agricultural projects. He established a modern model farm based on American principles, known as the Panamastall. Later, he moved to Zurich to dedicate himself to scientific studies.
A Deep Connection to Bad Ragaz
During a spa retreat, Sonderegger discovered Bad Ragaz and had the castle built around 1890 as a summer residence. The family spent the summer months there until they eventually moved to Ragaz permanently. Sonderegger was deeply committed to the community, supporting charitable projects, and was honored as an honorary citizen of Bad Ragaz for his contributions.
Current Ownership of Schloss Ragaz
After more than 60 years under the ownership of the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS), Hotel Schloss Ragaz was sold to Swiss Immo Holding AG at the end of 2019. On January 1, 2020, Hotel Schloss Ragaz GmbH was founded, later transitioning into Hotel Schloss Ragaz AG on January 1, 2021. One of the co-owners is Patrick Zettel, who leads the hotel as director, passionately upholding and continuing the establishment’s philosophy.