Bis zum Tod der Gräfin

On May 24, 1882, construction of the hotel began. It featured 300 rooms for 450 guests, who at the time traveled with their servants, who were accommodated in the attic. The hotel was fully electrified, with a hydroelectric power plant built specifically for this purpose, powered by the waters of the Inn. Heating was provided by three massive locomotive steam boilers that warmed the entire hotel. A spectacular feature was the fresh air supply in all rooms through ozone generators. The hotel boasted two sensations: first, electric lighting, and second, an elevator. On July 1, 1884, the then largest and most modern Grand Hotel in the Alps opened its doors in Maloja. The Belgian Count Camille de Renesse invited high finance and nobility to the opening of his dome-crowned palace. About 6,000 visitors came to marvel at the 'Maloja Kursaal' hotel. However, just three days after the grand opening, a cholera epidemic broke out in Italy. The borders were closed from July 4 to September 8, 1884. Guests stayed away, and the 'Valse de Maloja' did not herald a glorious time for Maloja, but rather for the Kursaal de Maloja hotel. In December 1884, the Count declared his insolvency. There were also other reasons that brought an end to the Renesse era. The cause of death of the young Countess, who died on September 20, 1884, in a hotel in Basel, remains unresolved to this day.