What does it take to sell everything and start over? Meet the couple that did just that, and opened Brücke 49, an unconventionally luxurious bed & breakfast centered around community. We caught Ruth and Thomas on the off-season to learn more about their story and how they were able to create magic in the mountains —
Perhaps it was the light, soft and beautiful on a sunny Saturday morning, that wrapped me in a coat of serenity when I first arrived in Vals. I had a sense that this tiny alpine village in Switzerland was special, and the sudden switch of my mood upon arrival seemed to confirm this belief.
Nestled in the alpine valley, surrounded by miles of pristine nature — Vals undeniably radiates pure tranquility. The historic village of Vals is home to a population of less than 1000, a five-lift ski resort and a world-renowned thermal hot springs resort and spa, Therme Vals, designed by architect Peter Zumthor.
There are few villas in Vals, but none quite like Brücke 49. It’s a small 4 room contemporary bed & breakfast located in the heart of the village, just by the river — and it’s stunningly beautiful. It makes sense then, that Brücke 49 was born from a love story. Its owners, Ruth Kramer & Thomas Schacht, a Swiss-Danish couple, fell in love with the tiny alpine village on holiday. They continued to visit until 2009 when they decided to pack up their home in Denmark, sell everything and start a new life in the mountains for good.
For Ruth and Thomas, quality, design and creativity were essential elements of Brücke 49’s foundation. Their attention to design is evident from the furniture selection down to the napkin rings. Local farms supply fresh and seasonal produce for every home cooked meal — part of Ruth and Thomas’s commitment to a high quality experience. 
Can you tell me a bit about the history behind the building itself?
The building was built in 1902 by a Parisian master builder and is completely different to the other houses in Vals. It’s a villa with high ceilings and big windows which is not typical to traditional alpine buildings in this part of Switzerland. The house is very
symmetrical. We kept the original big stones, wooden floors.
What is it about Vals that captivated you, kept you coming back, and finally convinced you to move permanently?
Ruth is Swiss and wanted to come back to Switzerland. We first came on a rainy day, and the following day when the sun was shining we decided to hike up to a little village Leis. We saw Vals from above and fell in love — with the view, with everything. It was a very special feeling. We have been coming back here often, either for workshops or just to relax and recharge. We finally decided to settle down here, sold everything in Denmark where we were based at the time, and bought the house for Brücke 49. We worked so hard and we had limited time before money was gone but we could see the potential of the house right away.
How did you decide on the untraditional bed & breakfast concept for the villa?
We knew from the beginning, without any formal business plans, that we wanted to share the villa with others. We wanted to create a space that would inspire – right now there are so many people coming to Vals, seeking inspiration and a desire to change their lives. Hopefully, Brücke 49 will connect with them.
What is your favorite aspect of Brücke 49?
We created a place for travelers who like to share, and there are no rules here. We live by the saying that our home is your home, and it really is important for us. We like to prepare our breakfast, bake our own bread and just work with hands. It’s such a good feeling afterwards.
We have hosted guests from all walks of life – from very wealthy folks to those who come to hike or to relax with a good book. The most wonderful feeling is when they all sit at the same table. There are no gaps, no titles and no rules. They share, they talk, and people begin to open up. Sometimes the simple things, like a homemade meal, can connect people. It’s a gift.
We try to feel what our guests think and what they need. Here, guests are not anonymous. We trust the people who come share our home and we know them by name. Guests may not know each other when they arrive, but they soon will.
The interior design of Brücke 49 is beautiful — what was your inspiration?
Ruth has been fashion designer almost all her life and instinctively knew how it should be. We merged Scandinavian design with Swiss traditions to create a simple, contemporary, light, and airy, clean feeling. We know what we like and we challenge ourselves every day. It’s also classic and sustainable.
What do you enjoy doing in Vals on a daily basis, when you are not working?
We have a fantastic team, and are together nearly all the time — even in the kitchen. One of the really important elements of our job is to work with local farmers in order to source the best quality ingredients for our guests. Besides, we also work as freelancers — Ruth in designing and myself in marketing and communications. We are rarely not working!
Do you think, is Brücke 49 for everyone? How would you describe guests of the villa?
It’s not a place for everyone — you have to be willing to share and be open-minded. It’s not for people who are looking for 5-star hotels or traveling with small children. Our place attracts different kinds of people from all walks of life and that’s what truly makes it beautiful. We believe that when you share something, you gain something else too.
Take a photo tour of Brücke 49 below —
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