Architectural signature in the Grisons
Presentation
Practical information
Mineral escape and alpine voluptuousness: dream getaway to Vals
Perched at an altitude of 1,252 meters, the village of Vals offers much more than a simple postcard setting of the Grisons. Here, everything seems carved out of rock and silence, with trails lined with tall grass and endless mountain views. To get there, the journey itself is already appreciated as a rare luxury: several connections, a yellow postal bus winding through the peaks. Upon arrival, one word comes to mind: disconnection.
The valley is well-known in Switzerland for the extraction of local stone, the quartzite that covers the roofs of the surrounding chalets, and its excellent Valser mineral water. This water, which naturally springs at 30 degrees from the Saint-Pierre source, also feeds the 7132 thermal baths, which have become a cult place for architecture enthusiasts and wellness lovers.
Designed between 1993 and 1996, these baths are the work of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor (winner of the 2009 Pritzker Prize). This very minimalist ensemble of raw concrete and quartzite has quite a surprising history. In the 1960s, a German developer, charmed by the majestic setting and the reputation of the village's thermal spring, built a vast hotel complex. In 1986, the municipality decided to buy the entire complex and create thermal baths there. A village committee, composed of residents with diverse profiles, then made two bold choices: to put the municipality in debt by 100 million Swiss francs and to entrust the project to a relatively unknown architect, Peter Zumthor.
Thus, this spa sculpted from stone seems to have grown out of the mountain itself with its 60,000 local quartzite slabs, directly connected to the source of water naturally at 30°C, rich in magnesium and calcium. You lose yourself in this labyrinth as in a secret cave, among quartzite walls, filtered light, and sensory pools with varied temperatures. Enveloping warmth, invigorating freshness, discreet hammams... each space offers a unique moment. And when night falls, silence takes over, amplifying the experience even more.
To prolong this immersion, the 7132 Hotel welcomes you. Two options are offered: the absolute refinement of the five-star with suites designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, or the conceptual atmosphere of the 7132 House of Architects, a four-star where each room has been conceived by a renowned contemporary designer. Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, and Thom Mayne each offer a unique sensory experience. Through the large bay windows of the 73 rooms (20m2), the landscape becomes a work of art, and the alpine light sculpts the spaces at every hour of the day.
On the culinary side, the 7132 Silver, with two Michelin stars, will delight the palates seeking elegance and creativity. For those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, the various village restaurants provide a warm and generous alternative. In the morning, breakfast becomes a precious ritual, enjoyed in a room bathed in light with views of the peaks.
Between warm stone, pure water, and comforting silence, Vals is a precious place where one comes to slow down and surrender to an aesthetic of calm, even losing track of time. An experience both profound and delicate, to be savored without haste, as if underscored by Thomas Mann's 'The Magic Mountain.'
Also to be savored is the Nusstorte, a delicious walnut cake carefully wrapped in its package, which Pierre brings back as a gift on his returns from Vals.
✯ Open all year round ✯
Perched at an altitude of 1,252 meters, the village of Vals offers much more than a simple postcard setting of the Grisons. Here, everything seems carved out of rock and silence, with trails lined with tall grass and endless mountain views. To get there, the journey itself is already appreciated as a rare luxury: several connections, a yellow postal bus winding through the peaks. Upon arrival, one word comes to mind: disconnection.
The valley is well-known in Switzerland for the extraction of local stone, the quartzite that covers the roofs of the surrounding chalets, and its excellent Valser mineral water. This water, which naturally springs at 30 degrees from the Saint-Pierre source, also feeds the 7132 thermal baths, which have become a cult place for architecture enthusiasts and wellness lovers.
Designed between 1993 and 1996, these baths are the work of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor (winner of the 2009 Pritzker Prize). This very minimalist ensemble of raw concrete and quartzite has quite a surprising history. In the 1960s, a German developer, charmed by the majestic setting and the reputation of the village's thermal spring, built a vast hotel complex. In 1986, the municipality decided to buy the entire complex and create thermal baths there. A village committee, composed of residents with diverse profiles, then made two bold choices: to put the municipality in debt by 100 million Swiss francs and to entrust the project to a relatively unknown architect, Peter Zumthor.
Thus, this spa sculpted from stone seems to have grown out of the mountain itself with its 60,000 local quartzite slabs, directly connected to the source of water naturally at 30°C, rich in magnesium and calcium. You lose yourself in this labyrinth as in a secret cave, among quartzite walls, filtered light, and sensory pools with varied temperatures. Enveloping warmth, invigorating freshness, discreet hammams... each space offers a unique moment. And when night falls, silence takes over, amplifying the experience even more.
To prolong this immersion, the 7132 Hotel welcomes you. Two options are offered: the absolute refinement of the five-star with suites designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, or the conceptual atmosphere of the 7132 House of Architects, a four-star where each room has been conceived by a renowned contemporary designer. Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, and Thom Mayne each offer a unique sensory experience. Through the large bay windows of the 73 rooms (20m2), the landscape becomes a work of art, and the alpine light sculpts the spaces at every hour of the day.
On the culinary side, the 7132 Silver, with two Michelin stars, will delight the palates seeking elegance and creativity. For those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, the various village restaurants provide a warm and generous alternative. In the morning, breakfast becomes a precious ritual, enjoyed in a room bathed in light with views of the peaks.
Between warm stone, pure water, and comforting silence, Vals is a precious place where one comes to slow down and surrender to an aesthetic of calm, even losing track of time. An experience both profound and delicate, to be savored without haste, as if underscored by Thomas Mann's 'The Magic Mountain.'
Also to be savored is the Nusstorte, a delicious walnut cake carefully wrapped in its package, which Pierre brings back as a gift on his returns from Vals.
✯ Open all year round ✯
7132 House of Architects
Poststrasse, 560
7132 Vals, Suisse
Tel : +41 58 7132 000
From 350 CHFPoststrasse, 560
7132 Vals, Suisse
Tel : +41 58 7132 000
Pricing details
Rates 2026, from 350 CHF per night for two at 7132 House of Architects, access to thermal baths included7132 House of Architects, from 350 CHF (without breakfast) or 410 CHF (with breakfast) per night for two, access to thermal baths included
Room categories: Ando, Kuma, Mayne, Zumthor, each room
7132 Hotel 5*, from 710 CHF per night for two, breakfast and access to thermal baths included
Room categories: Double Room, Spa Deluxe, Spa Suite, Penthouse Suite
Note: All prices are provided for informational purposes only and must be confirmed directly with the establishment.
