The Romans were the first to feel the benefit of the therapeutic qualities of thewaters of Leukerbad ( Balnea Laucensia ). However, it was during the 19 th century that the intrepid travellers enjoying their "Grand Tour" of Europe rediscovered the natural beauty of this location and the virtues of the thermal springs. The Hotel des Alpes first opened in 1834; it boasted 116 rooms, 160 beds, 10 bathrooms, 16 reception rooms and a stable for the horses! In those days the guests were chiefly naturalists, alpinists, artists and aristocractic English families. In 1862 Alexandre Dumas stayed in the hotel and recorded his impressions in his work, "Voyage en Suisse". In 1865 Edward Whimper scaled the Gemmi before conquering the Cervino. Later it was the "Bel Ami" Guy de Maupassant who dedicated one of his novels to the "Auberge" in Leukerbad. In 1908 Leon Tolstoy went there to search for "peace" whilst Raphael Ritz (brother of the great César Ritz) completed his drawings of the hotel (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Sion). There were many famous names that discovered the benefits of the thermal waters and the comforts of the hotel: Pablo Picasso, Paul Valéry, Nikitinga, Charlie Chaplin, Herbert von Karajan.
In 1990 the hotel was renamed Les Sources des Alpes and with its 5 stars status became part of the prestigious group, Relais & Châteaux. Since 1999 the owners (Aquawell SA) have regenerated this jewel of Swiss tourism dedicated to the well-being and happiness of its clients. In this spirit, and still young at heart, Les Sources des Alpes celebrated its 160 birthday in 2004.