Some 36 feet further uphill from the Gornergrat train station is this odd-looking but neat structure. It’s the 3100 Kulmhotel, which bills itself as the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps. Those dome-like structures are observatories, and the hotel has special nights for astronomical observation. I imagine the view from up there must be breathtaking, with the high altitude, clean air, and minimal light pollution.

After taking all the touristy shots outside with the family, we headed to the hotel for lunch at their restaurant, one of two places to grab a meal. The 3100 in the hotel’s name refers to its altitude in meters — 3100 meters is 10,171 feet.

With such a unique old hotel, I anticipated a character-filled lobby that I relished photographing. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. There was no distinct lobby area, and the restaurant and shops looked comparably modern. That was the only slight disappointment with my visit to Gornergrat.

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