A long-awaited honeymoon turned into a traumatic ordeal for an Indian-origin couple from Canada, who claim they were physically assaulted by a Chinese-origin hotel manager during their stay at a Swiss lakeside hotel. The incident, which reportedly took place in late June, has sparked outrage across social media and raised concerns about racism and tourist safety in Europe.

Nikita and Karan, currently residing in Canada, were vacationing across Europe and had planned a 13-day trip to celebrate their long-overdue honeymoon. However, their holiday was abruptly cut short following an alleged violent attack at Seehotel Schwert in Gersau, Switzerland, a property operated by a Chinese-origin family.

“He Threw a Heavy Ceramic Mug at My Face”

According to Nikita, the conflict escalated dramatically on the morning of their checkout. She recounted that while trying to relay their grievances to a staff member at the hotel’s breakfast area, the same manager who had earlier misbehaved with them approached aggressively.

“This old man came up, he was very close to my husband’s face. It felt like he was about to hit him,” she told HT.com. Nikita began recording the altercation, fearing physical violence, but stopped when the manager allegedly attempted to snatch her phone.

“He threw a big and heavy ceramic mug at my face and I lost one tooth completely, 11 other teeth are damaged,” Nikita said. The impact also caused a cut on her lip, bruises on her chin, and long-term damage to her jaw, including TMJ complications. She continues to undergo dental procedures but has been told she will never fully regain jaw function.

“There Was Already a Deep-Seated Hatred”

Describing the emotional toll, Nikita shared her psychological trauma in an interview with influencer Ashish Rajput. “There was already a deep-seated hatred – for our skin, for who we are,” she said. She also added that during their five-day stay, they were the only Indian guests and felt visibly treated with less respect than other White or German-speaking patrons.

The couple alleged that the manager kicked, punched, and struck them, with Nikita receiving the brunt of the injuries. Karan said they managed to flee through a back door and received help from elderly passersby, who called emergency services.

Initial Dispute Over a Fan Turns Violent

The incident reportedly began on June 19, when the couple checked into the Seehotel Schwert. Due to the lack of air conditioning, they requested a fan and were provided with a small one by hotel staff. The next day, they rented an additional fan from a nearby store due to the heat. However, tensions flared when the hotel staff allegedly removed the provided fan from their room without informing them.

When they called the reception to ask about it, using Google Translate to bridge the language gap, the manager reportedly responded with hostility. Nikita claims they were called “stupid” and treated with contempt for not speaking German.

Despite their attempts to clarify matters politely including translating their requests into German the situation only worsened. On June 24, the day they were scheduled to travel to Italy, the confrontation allegedly turned violent, forcing the couple to cancel the rest of their trip and return to Canada.

Hotel Denies Allegations, Cites “Blatant Reversal of Reality”

In response to the viral backlash, Seehotel Schwert denied all allegations in a statement to HT.com. The management claimed the couple was aggressive from the start and accused them of attacking a 60-year-old staff member.

“She then aggressively pulled out her phone and began recording the staff’s face at close range. When told that recording without consent is illegal in Switzerland, she refused to stop. She kicked the staff member, and her husband joined in. Together, they physically assaulted a 60-year-old employee, knocking off his glasses, causing facial bleeding, nose injury, and head trauma,” the hotel’s email read.

According to the hotel, the staff member acted in self-defense when he allegedly threw a glass that inadvertently hit Nikita. They also stated that the employee required hospitalisation and is still recovering. “It is a blatant reversal of reality and an attempt to manipulate public opinion,” the hotel added, declaring the couple would never be allowed back.

Counter-Complaint Filed and No Clear Police Action Yet

In a twist, the hotel’s manager reportedly filed a counter-complaint against Karan. Nikita and Karan claim this legal move was a deliberate attempt to delay or derail justice. As of now, there has been no official response or public statement from Swiss authorities, and the couple is uncertain whether the accused has even been questioned.

Following the incident, Karan spent significant time providing statements at a local police station while Nikita received emergency medical attention. They assert they had to cover their own treatment expenses and suffered financial loss due to the shortened trip.

“Dream Trip Turned into Nightmare”

Reflecting on the horrific experience, the couple said they had waited two years to take this honeymoon, which was postponed after their wedding. “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” Nikita said, describing the psychological aftermath and anxiety that now follow her.

The case remains under public scrutiny, especially as social media continues to amplify the couple’s account. Advocacy for tourist safety and racial sensitivity in European hospitality services is gaining momentum, with many urging Swiss authorities to take swift and impartial action.