b'Behind the Journey: Adrian Mller.As part of our 50th celebrations, we meet the people who help make our journeys so memorable. The hotels great history creates a wonderful experience. We love working with people who are as passionate about places as we are, creating unforgettable memories during their stay. Adrian Mller embodies this. He is the owner of the oldest hotel in Chur, a historic Swiss town on the route of the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Adrian and his team have been welcoming our customers for 18 years.Hotel Stern, ChurThis life-long love affair with hospitality and Hotel Stern started early in Adrians career, so we wanted to find out what drives him to offer and maintain the fantastic level of personal service his hotel has provided our customers.Having made his way up from an apprentice to ownerWhat does supporting your community mean to you?of the 4-Star Hotel Stern in Chur, Switzerland, AdrianWe use local produce and purchase locally, says Adrian. Mller knows exactly how important a welcomingWe consider local companies for work we need carrying hotel is to his guests.out, as well as giving young people a chance to step into Personal service is the most important element of ourthe business. We have nine apprentices at our hotel. business, he says. We take time to help our guests whenIts no surprise that Adrian is so passionate they have questions or queries. It really matters to our guests: a genuine word here In todays digitalabout apprentices as this is how his career or there, showing care and attention. started, and his son now works in a hotel in Londonperhaps with an eye on taking over What do you love about the job? world, peoplethe running of Hotel Stern someday.Every day is different and to truly provideappreciate youAfter becoming owner of Hotel Stern and service, in todays digital world, peoplemaking an effort.working with Great Rail Journeys for 18 years, appreciate you making an effort, Adrian has noticed some changes. The says Adrian.main change is the group size. We used to There is not just one highlight of my jobaccommodate 39 guests. Now the group size all these interactions make up my bestis about 26, which makes for a much nicer memories, especially when guests tell me holiday for the guests.how well one of our staff responded to aWhat is it about Chur thatrequest or solved a problem. people love?This welcoming attitude is what makes HotelPeople love Chur because its an authentic Stern so special to guests. The teamwork andtaste of Switzerland. Its small, clean, historic, the sense of hospitality we provide, along withpretty and easy to get around. I see a good the hotels great history creates a wonderfulfuture for Chur, too. Its still not a mainstream experience for our guests, adds Adrian.destination like bigger places. With its We will always strive to improve and never give up tryingcharacter, Chur is a much nicer and more to be better but Im really proud of how well our staff workauthentic experience of Switzerland.together. They all uphold the spirit of Hotel Stern, one inLiving and working in such a beautiful part of the world, its which everything is possible. a wonder Adrian would ever want to go anywhere else. To stay at the historic Hotel Stern in Chur, see page 48The Classic Glacier Express'