a family hotel with tradition
Hotel Zugertor is located only 5 minutes from the train station of Zug towards Baar and welcomes its guests since 1897.
The family von Rickenbach rented what was then the "Güterbahnhof restaurant", which was in a very poor condition at the time.
The family had the opportunity to buy the building along with the six 3-room apartments in the house. They also added central heating and a boiler for hot water.
In the 1960s, a bowling alley and a bar were built, as well as 10 hotel rooms with shared showers, which were made up of two apartments.
Change of name: the former Güterbahnhof becomes the Hotel Zugertor.
Takeover by Heinz von Rickenbach (2nd generation) and altering of the bar into a traditional "WaliserSpycher" among with a renovation of the restaurant.
The striking building on Baarerstrasse was expanded with an extension and an additional storey and renovated down to the foundations. A 3-star hotel with 27 rooms was ready to welcome its guests.
Alterations, Conversions and an extension in 2000 have given the family business a traditional but also modern ambience. 8 rooms and an underground car park were added
With further conversion and renovation work, the entire house was brought up to the latest standard. All rooms have been fitted with air conditioning, triple glazed windows and underfloor heating has been installed in some areas. Due to an extension, various rooms could be optimized and enlarged, and the number of rooms increased to 36. A modern atmosphere was created with a new color and light concept and real wood parquet flooring in the rooms.
This is the year Oliver von Rickenbach (3rd generation) took over the business from his parents, who still work in the hotel.
Restaurant and our breakfast are newly prepared by Lokal97. Lokal97 is a Consol company. Their goal is sustainable integration into the primary labor market.
Oliver von Rickenbach
I am not just a passionate host – I grew up in this hotel.
Even as a child, I experienced the unique atmosphere that arises when people feel welcome, understood, and well cared for. It fills me with pride and joy to now carry on the family tradition and lead it into the future.
This hotel is much more than just a workplace to me – it is my home. Here, I learned what true hospitality means: listening attentively, interacting sincerely, and creating meaningful impact through small gestures. These are the values I live by every day as a host.
I see it as my mission to provide each guest with a stay that will be remembered – full of warmth, reliability, and attention to detail.
Together with my team, I ensure that the hotel retains its own special character – a place where tradition and modern service blend seamlessly. It is an honor for me to pass on what I was fortunate to experience here myself: a feeling of home, far from everyday life.
Marco Hunziker
My professional journey began in the kitchen. As a trained chef, I quickly discovered the magic of food – how it brings people together, sparks conversation, and creates pure enjoyment. Later, I pursued a path in social pedagogy, driven by a deep desire to support people with disabilities in finding their place in the working world. Today, I have the privilege of combining both passions – as a host in a restaurant that unites culinary excellence with social responsibility.
Our restaurant is more than just a place to eat. It is a space of connection, where meals are prepared with care, served with warmth, and where work is done with genuine joy. Our kitchen creates seasonal, fresh dishes that are crafted with love and presented with creativity – by a team that lives and breathes diversity. Every plate tells not only a culinary story, but also a deeply human one.
For me, people are at the heart of everything – both in the team and among our guests. It fills me with pride to see individuals with disabilities finding not just a task here, but a real opportunity. Our restaurant serves as a springboard into the mainstream job market – with personal guidance, patience, and sincere appreciation.
As a host, I am present every day with heart and soul. I welcome, support, and help create an atmosphere where people feel truly at ease – whether it's for a quick lunch or a relaxed, enjoyable dinner. Guests who come to us experience honest food, attentive service, and a vibrant example of what inclusion can taste like.