Huus Quell: Swiss Alps Timber Masterpiece Reimagines Wellness

Opening in phases through 2026, Huus Quell introduces a new tier of luxury wellness to Gonten, a tranquil Swiss village nestled almost 3,000 feet above sea level in Appenzell. This five-star retreat, spearheaded by local entrepreneur Jan Schoch, offers an expansive 23,000-square-foot spa, notable for its five-stage biohacking program. Initial guest rooms opened a few months ago, with 43 additional suites and private residences slated for release in 2026, as Town & Country reports.

Schoch, returning to his Appenzell roots after a finance career, systematically built a "lifestyle wellness community." This began with restoring the 400-year-old Huus Bären in 2020, followed by Huus Löwen in 2023. Huus Quell, however, was always the envisioned culmination.

"In Appenzell, timber construction was once a highly skilled craft, but it had almost disappeared," Schoch told Town & Country. "I wanted to bring that back, not as nostalgia, but as a serious architectural system." This ambition led to Huus Quell becoming the Appenzell region's inaugural Leading Hotel of the World property, uniquely recognized before its doors fully opened.

Designed by Rüssli Architects, the hotel's timber-frame construction relies entirely on locally harvested 'moon wood'—lumber cut according to lunar cycles—and employs an ancient Appenzell technique. This involves massive interlocking beams joined without a single nail or metal fastener, as described by Town & Country. The structure is even designed for eventual disassembly and material reuse. Schoch reportedly sought to prove that "heritage techniques could meet today’s expectations for comfort, precision, and longevity."

The hotel's aesthetic extends to its interiors, where structural moon wood elements are complemented by exclusive fabrics and linens from Jakob Schlaepfer, a St. Gallen-based supplier to fashion houses like Dior and Chanel. Schoch emphasized to Town & Country that, unlike most hotels where materials are decorative, "Here, the wood you see is the building—it’s carrying the weight, shaping the space, influencing the air and even the acoustics."

Our take: Huus Quell represents a compelling blend of tradition and modernity. Its commitment to sustainable building practices, coupled with a cutting-edge biohacking program, signals a thoughtful approach to luxury wellness. The integration of local craftsmanship and textiles creates an authentic sense of place, elevating the guest experience beyond typical resort design.