We can define it as a true corner of paradise in Liechtenstein, suitable for those seeking refined culinary experiences and a calm pace of life in a magical atmosphere, ensuring an extraordinary stay just a short distance from Switzerland.
Perched like a small eagle's nest above the rooftops of the Principality's capital, the 4-star Superior Park Hotel Sonnenhof embodies the finest luxury hospitality. The only property in the country to hold the prestigious Relais & Châteaux seal, the hotel is a sumptuous private residence that has been run by the same family for over sixty years.
Founded in the early 60s by Jutta and Emil Real, the hotel is now managed by their son, Hubertus Real. The Real family is one of the capital's most influential dynasties, inextricably linked to local politics and the birth of haute cuisine in the Principality of Liechtenstein. The family's roots are not indigenous to Liechtenstein, but extend to northern Italy. In 1867, Felix Real—originally from Gressoney, in the Aosta Valley—obtained Vaduz citizenship after settling in the Principality and marrying Maria Anna Rheinberger. The family quickly integrated into the local social and political fabric. The founder, Felix Real himself, served as mayor of Vaduz from 1873 to 1876.
His son, Adolf Real, followed in his father's footsteps, leading the city administration as mayor of the capital. From the mid-twentieth century, the descendants of the Real family decided to abandon active politics to dedicate themselves to the hotel and restaurant industries, becoming pioneers of haute cuisine in the region.
In 1962, Emil Real and his wife Jutta purchased a small hotel called Pension Sonnenhof in Vaduz. They decided to rename it Park Hotel Sonnenhof, making the most of the large surrounding garden. The hotel and the Real family were finally established in 1967. On the occasion of the wedding of Crown Prince Hans-Adam II to Countess Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau, the Princely House chose the Sonnenhof to host all the members of the European royal families and heads of state who attended the event. Shortly thereafter, a well-known American travel journalist fell in love with the property, dedicating rave reviews to it in his guidebooks for years and putting the Reals on the map of global luxury tourism. In 1979, the property became a member of Relais & Châteaux. Today the dynasty continues with Hubertus Real: raised in his father's kitchens, he won the gold medal at the 1988 Sydney Olympics as best young chef.
In 1993, he returned to the family business on a permanent basis, first taking over the kitchen at the Marée restaurant and then the general management of the entire hotel, maintaining intact the tradition of discretion and personalized hospitality brought to Vaduz by his parents over sixty years earlier.
Over the decades, its absolute privacy and strategic location—at the edge of the princely castle's forest—have made it a favorite retreat for heads of state, European royalty (from the Swedish family to the Grimaldis of Monaco), and international cultural icons such as writer Paulo Coelho, actor Hugh Grant, and pianist Lang Lang. It's no coincidence that photographs of many personalities from the worlds of sport and entertainment are displayed in the hotel's atrium.
The 29 rooms and junior suites, spread across three floors, embody contemporary, personalized luxury, with each room featuring a unique theme and views of the Rhine Valley and vineyards. The surrounding garden is the work of Enzo Enea, one of the world's most celebrated landscape architects. He transformed the green space into a tranquil oasis interspersed with natural installations and meditation spaces. A spectacular rounded panoramic terrace, suspended among the treetops, offers uninterrupted views of the nearby Princely Manor of Liechtenstein.
The culinary offering is handled by the in-house Marée restaurant, which has been ranked at the top of international guides for years. With 16 GaultMillau points and a Michelin-starred entry, chef Hubertus Real offers cuisine that blends classic French precision with contemporary reinterpretations. Completing this regional excellence is the wellness area, featuring an indoor spring-water pool.
Park Hotel Sonnenhof
Mareestrasse 29
FL-9490 Vaduz
Liechtenstein
T + 423 239 0202
www.sonnenhof.li
