Situated in the heart of Switzerland’s Engadin valley, St. Moritz is one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world. Originally a summer spa resort, thanks to its mineral springs, St. Moritz was the birthplace of Alpine tourism and has also hosted the Winter Olympics on two separate occasions.
Where to stay:
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a luxury hotel in the centre of St. Moritz, which dates back to 1896.
This grand hotel has often been hailed as a local landmark and features 155 elegantly decorated guest rooms, including 43 individual suites, all with views towards either Lake St. Moritz or the quaint village centre.
The hotel’s very own Palace Wellness Spa features extensive fitness facilities, massage and beauty treatments, an indoor infinity swimming pool and an outdoor heated swimming pool – a truly magical experience when it’s snowing. Situated at the front of the hotel is its very own ice rink, perfect for ice skating, a round of ice hockey or a game of curling.
Located on the northern side of Lake St. Moritz, high above the village centre, Carlton Hotel is the smallest of St. Moritz’s five-star hotels and offers a more boutique experience than some of its larger neighbours.
This palatial hotel offers 60 suites with captivating panoramic views of lake St. Moritz and the Engadine Valley. Its interior has been elegantly decorated by renowned interior designer Carlo Rampazzi and combines a tasteful balance of traditional and contemporary features.
After a long day on the slopes, the Carlton Spa is a space designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. Set over three floors, this beautiful spa offers a multitude of holistic treatments, yoga and massage options, saunas, steam baths, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a well-equipped fitness room.
GRAND HOTEL DES BAINS KEMPINSKI:
Initially built in 1864 as a summer spa hotel, the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski is the only five-star ski-in, ski-out hotel in St. Moritz. Nestled in a stunning mountain setting between the two famous skiing areas of Corvatsch and Corvigliam, this iconic hotel is perfect for avid skiers and winter sports enthusiasts.
Following recent extensive renovation, accommodation is split across 228 rooms, suites and residences. Rooms are elegantly decorated in neutral shades of beige and brown, complemented by gold accents, contemporary furnishings and artwork reminiscing on the resort’s winter sporting history.
The in-house 2,400-square-metre Alpine Spa provides six types of sauna, indoor pool, Kneipp baths and gym, along with pampering wellness treatments. Meanwhile, the hotel is home to two-Michelin-Star restaurant, Cà d’Oro, and also the Lobby Bar, both of which offer a selection of culinary delights.
What to do:
NATURE: The Engadine Valley is home to the Swiss National Park, a vast 170-square-kilometre haven for all things outdoors. Founded in 1914, it is the oldest national park in the Alps and is home to a captivating variety of wildlife and fauna, including ibexes, chamois, marmots, bearded vultures and golden eagles.
CULTURE: St. Moritz is a culturally rich town with a great offering of art galleries, museums and libraries. One of the best is the Museum Engiadinais, which is found in central St. Moritz. Set in a building designed by renowned architect Nicolaus Hartmann, the museum houses several permanent exhibitions as well as temporary displays which are regularly updated.
ADVENTURE: Aside from skiing and other obvious options, the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club and its infamous Cresta Run are worthy of a visit for any thrill-seeking visitor. A natural ice run which has been rebuilt from scratch every year since 1884, the Cresta Run is 1.2 kilometres long and snakes its way down from St. Moritz to the nearby village of Celerina, formerly known as Cresta. Not for the faint-hearted, the Cresta Run has ten named corners and a gradient that varies from 1 in 2.8 to 1 in 8.7.
Getting there:
Charter a jet and fly into the regional Samedan Airport (SMV/LSZS). Located in the heart of the Engadine Valley, Samedan Airport is only five kilometres by road from St. Moritz.
Approximate flight times:
| Dubai ✈ St. Moritz | 6 hours 15 minutes |
| London ✈ St. Moritz | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| New York ✈ St. Moritz | 7 hours 30 minutes |
| Paris ✈ St. Moritz | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Singapore ✈ St. Moritz | 13 hours |
| Zurich ✈ St. Moritz | 30 minutes |
