Everything You Need to Know About Philosophie Consulting

Philosophie Consulting is a hospitality consulting firm founded by Philippe and Sophie Zurkirchen, a couple of hoteliers based in Champéry, Switzerland. They support hospitality executives, owners, and project leaders across the French-speaking world: as a sparring partner, board member, mentor, coach, project manager, and for concept creation and renovation or construction projects.

They are two Swiss hoteliers and entrepreneurs. Philippe, nicknamed “Zurki,” is an EHL graduate with over 18 years of leadership experience in hospitality, served 9 years on the board of the Swiss Hotel Association, and wrote the book “Guaranteed Reservations.” Sophie has over 15 years of experience managing establishments; she specializes in hospitality, operations, and space design. Together, they ran and transformed the Boutique Hotel Beau-Séjour & Spa in Champéry, winner of the Prix Bienvenu for the most welcoming hotel in Switzerland. Learn more about the team.

We offer six forms of support: sparring partner to challenge your decisions, project manager and analyst to bring your ideas to life, independent board member, executive coach and mentor, hotel concept creation, and support for renovation or construction projects. See all our services.

Yes. We serve as an independent board member or strategic advisor for hotels, family businesses, associations, and public organizations. We bring expertise in governance, oversight, auditing, risk management, strategic review, and restructuring.

It’s someone who dares to tell you the truth. Like in boxing, a sparring partner helps you grow by challenging you: questioning your assumptions, pointing out your blind spots, and asking the questions no one else dares to ask, leading to a clearer strategy and aligned execution.

Yes. We support feasibility studies, market research, site selection, concept and brand development, space planning, and the entire pre-opening phase. We also help reinvent the concept of an existing establishment: positioning, target audience, and differentiation.

Yes. We oversee renovation and construction projects as project managers, working with our network of partners specialized in renovation and construction for the hospitality and restaurant industries. Our interior design branch creates spaces focused on well-being, spa and wellness, lighting, and brand ambiance. We have built, renovated, and revitalized our own establishments ourselves.

By working on three levers: sales, finances, and team. We analyze your costs and margins, build your budget, optimize your pricing strategy and revenue management (RevPAR, ADR, distribution), set up simple dashboards, and help you secure grants or financing. See our areas of optimization.

This is the most common challenge faced by independent hotel owners. We clarify roles and organization, create job descriptions, service standards, and delegation systems, and train your managers. The goal: an autonomous team and an establishment that runs smoothly without you having to be everywhere.

Running a hotel can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. We offer executive coaching, leadership mentoring, and a Mastermind, a small confidential circle of 5 to 10 hoteliers who meet regularly to share and challenge each other.

Yes. Philippe supports hospitality executives through one-on-one coaching using his Z.U.R.K.I. method, over programs lasting several months, to help them regain clarity, structure, and energy, and develop hospitality-centered leadership. Coaching for couples or business partners is also available.

Yes. Our group workshops train your teams and managers in emotional hospitality, conflict management, service rituals, and team cohesion. They take place on-site or online, from half a day to two days, for 10 to 20 people.

By first clarifying your positioning and signature offering, then working on your brand, your online booking journey, your local partnerships, and your seasonal strategy. We design results-oriented marketing plans: digital campaigns, loyalty programs, storytelling, and social media.

Yes. We provide guidance on sustainability audits, eco-certifications, energy and waste optimization, as well as WELL and RESET standards, for healthier, future-focused establishments.

We work with independent hotels and boutique hotels, gîtes and guesthouses, concept-driven establishments, tourism and hospitality professionals, as well as with companies, associations, and public organizations for board mandates.

Yes. We’re based in Champéry, in Valais, and we support clients across the French-speaking world, both in Switzerland and abroad. Support is provided on-site or remotely, in French or English.

Each engagement is tailored to your needs and timeline. The first call is free: it allows us to explore your challenge and propose the right approach. Indicative rates for coaching, workshops, and the Mastermind are listed on the services page.

Yes. We work with a trusted circle of experts: hoteliers, designers, marketing specialists, financial experts, operational strategists, and renovation and construction companies. Discover our partners.

By email at hello@philosophie.consulting or by booking a free call at philosophie.consulting. Philippe or Sophie will respond to you personally.