Jan Schoch in court: criminal proceedings overshadow award for Appenzeller Huus
The luxury resort Appenzeller Huus in Gonten has been named Hotel of the Year 2027 – but investor Jan Schoch must answer to the court in November 2026.
Gault-Millau prize and criminal charges arrive simultaneously
The "Appenzeller Huus" in Gonten (Canton Appenzell Innerrhoden) now bears the title "Hotel of the Year 2027" from the Gault Millau restaurant guide. However, as reported by Google News CH — Crime (de), the honour coincides with an ongoing criminal trial against the investor and former Leonteq co-founder Jan Schoch.
The resort, which cost around 120 million francs – according to Hotel Inside, total investments amount to as much as 150 million francs – impressed the Gault Millau jury through fine dining, traditional timber construction and an extensive wellness area with biohacking offerings, including a cryogenic chamber at minus 110 degrees. The integrated restaurant "Bärenstobe" launched under executive chef Michael Gollenz with 16 Gault-Millau points; in addition there are three further restaurants, a bar and a wine list with over 2,000 selections across seven wine cellars.
Construction site accident from 2022
In November 2026, Schoch must answer to the district court of Appenzell Innerrhoden. The public prosecutor's office accuses him, amongst other things, of negligent grievous bodily harm and is seeking a suspended custodial sentence of 18 months as well as a fine of 108,000 francs.
The incident originates from April 2022 at the resort's construction site: a cameraman fell through a non-load-bearing floor approximately eight metres and suffered severe spinal injuries. The prosecution accuses the principal contractor of breaching his duty of care.
Additionally, Schoch faces charges of false accusation of a former managing director as well as the submission of falsified evidence in an employment law dispute.
Defence rejects all accusations
Schoch's defence denies all charges. It emphasises that the public prosecutor's office initially discontinued the investigation into the construction site accident and only reopened it following civil claims from the injured party. The accusations against the former managing director are also said to be unfounded. The presumption of innocence applies to all parties involved.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)