The Magic of Minimalism: Inside Alexander Schaerer’s Design Hotel

The Swiss have a certain knack for building greatness—from solvent banking institutions, to Vacheron Constantin timekeeping to perfectly scaled Swissmar Stelvio Raclette sets. The passion project of Swiss businessman Alexander Schaerer, The Omnia hotel is a magnum opus to alpine engineering and excellence. Chairman of the Board of USM, a manufacturing business begun by his great-grandfather in 1885, Schaerer has embedded loads of intellectual property, quite literally, into the hotel. His high-end furniture and shelving design peppers the property in all the right places. While the legacy firm began as a hinge manufacturer, Schaerer’s father, Paul, transformed the business in the 60’s when it began producing a modular steel shelving storage system. Fast forward to 2023, USM Haller can be found in leading and elite businesses across the world, from Parisian banks to Japanese hospitals to St. Tropez Yacht Clubs. In 2001, in recognition of its unique flexibility and durability, USM Haller was included in the New York Museum of Modern Art’s collection.

Make no mistake, the Schaerer...