Let me explain more….

 

Not rubbing it in, but I flew by private charter into St Moritz. We flew on a Pilatus aircraft, which is only a 6 seater aircraft perfect for landing directly into the Engadin Valley in St Moritz.

Most of the pilots that fly into St Moritz are all Swiss so highly experienced. When booking a private charter I would use Aircorviglia or Vista Jets.

 

As we stepped off the plane, the Badrutts staff were standing at the bottom of the plane steps in their impeccable uniforms in front of a Range Rover and a vintage Rolls Royce which was gifted to Badrutts from Queen Elizabeth II.

A short drive from the airstrip, located in the heart of St Moritz is the iconic Badrutts Palace in all its glory.

Because we were arriving in the festive month of December the hotel is decorated beautifully with the large Christmas tree in the forefront.  Luckily for us, we arrived on the night the famous Christmas tree lights were being turned on.  The local community were all there to experience it accompanied by the children’s choir, even Santa made an early appearance and of course the Badrutts staff served delicious drinks and cookies.

Inside the hotel was magical, the Christmas decorations were beautiful, as you could see the endless corridors of sparkle.

 

History

The hotel first opened its doors in 1896, a true key-holding member of the St. Moritz scene. Its founder, Caspar Badrutt, was the son of Johannes Badrutt, a well-known ski jumper who’s often credited with kickstarting winter tourism in the town, having brought in the first English tourists and founded the nearby Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. Almost immediately, Badrutt’s was a hit, drawing the last of the Grand Tour waves, which eventually gave way to the jet-set crowd of the ‘50s and ‘60s. The hotel continues to attract the same caliber of guests from Royals, Celebrities, old money due to its high caliber of restaurants, vintage dining rooms, shopping, spa and more. Today the hotel is privately owned and loved by the local community.

As Conde Nast Traveller so aptly said:

“You’re in the highest-altitude town in the entire country at Badrutt’s – and up here, the air is truly rare. You can’t walk outside and turn your head without getting some view of the surrounding mountains, and the air is the kind that will clear your lungs in mere moments. And despite the slow encroachment of the luxury market, the town still feels like a fairy tale pocket of the world, with most visitors assiduously trying to keep it that way. If that whole concept of “quiet luxury” were a place, this might be it.”

So let me give you a little insight into the hotel:

Dining

The hotel has an array of dining experiences to choose from wether inside the hotel or also around the town.

The Grand Hall – which is the legendary lobby, known by locals as the “Living Room” offers afternoon tea, a full menu and of course the iconic large windows which offers breathtaking views of the lake.

 

La Coupole Matsuhisa/Nobu Restaurant – designed in the style of the hotel yet plays host to Nobu’s iconic open kitchen.

Le Restaurant –Candlelight, white tablecloths, crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows: welcome to the "grand dame" of St. Moritz dining. Breakfast is also served here – such an elegant experience as you are welcomed by the soulful sounds of a harpist.

Le Relais - The “little sister” of Le Restaurant is a feast for the eyes with the brilliantly colored style of the Belle Epoque

 

La Diala, meaning "mountain fairy" in Romansh, reflects a profound connection to the hotel's locale, nestled within the heart of Palace Wellness, where panoramic views of snow-covered mountains perfectly complement the restaurant's light, fresh, and healthful menu, making it an ideal choice for family dining.

 

Kings Social House -Jason Atherton’s modern interpretation of classic bistro fare, as it is known in Paris and London. With dishes that are perfect to share during celebration dinners or a great night among friends and colleagues, King’s Social House is a fun, interactive and exciting dining venue. We were very lucky as when we dined here – Afrojack DJ was playing – such a fun night!

Paradiso St Moritz – The iconic après ski dining.

Mountain comfort food, fun cocktails, urban beats – get ready to eat, dance and drink on top of the world. From tasty snacks to traditional alpine classics (with a twist) to world culinary favorites, from decadent cocktails to hot drinks to big bottle champagne, Paradiso always sets the bar high. The resident DJs get people vibing and dancing every day, along with special visits from guest DJs from Kings Social House and across the globe.

 

We were treated to a private lunch at Paradiso and I must say the truffle fondue was the best I have ever tasted – who cared about a diet when you can have warm soft bread dipped in cheese!

This is the place to be seen and party. With a private members club below – make sure you book in advance, otherwise you will not get in. And to top it all off, if you're not skiing, you can take the chair lift and walk 3 minutes through the snow to the restaurant.

Ches Veglia – a farmhouse built in 1658, houses 4 different  restaurants - Pizzeria Heuboden, Patrizier Stuben, Grill Chadafö, Carigiet Fondue Stübli, and a quaint Polo Bar.

One evening we had a magical gourmet safari around the hotel – the perfect way to experience the incredible culinary diversity on display within this property. We started with champagne in the wine cellar – you can also dine here if you wish as they have created a cosy cabin.

Can you imagine even the wine cellar is home to 30,000 bottles of wine and champagne. If you were locked in, I’m sure there would be no complaints!

Then we went to Nobu for starters, then on for main course at Le Relais as we dined in the private room.

Then a wonderful surprise as we joined Chef Stefan Gerber the executive pasty chef at Badrutts Palace in his kitchen for dancing and a desert experience like no other. 

It literally is a foodie heaven…

Rooms

The main building has 155 rooms and suites. I stayed in a lake view signature room with balcony. The room was bright and spacious with a large bathroom- separate room for shower and bath and toilet – They even have a toto loo!!!

As the hotel was nearly at full occupancy, I could only see a few suites – one being the Hans Badrutts Suite. This is one of the hotel's most prestigious suites. The marble entrance hall opens up into a large living room with a baby grand piano, a large bedroom, an office and the suite can be extended into a five-bedroom suite.  The soft color platte and the many windows which overlooked the lake added to the brightness of this suite.

 

I also checked out The Hitchcock suite named after Alfred Hitchcock. Suite 501 is absolutely unique and historically significant.
This is where Alfred Hitchcock came up with the idea for his legendary movie “The Birds”. The suite was certainly more vintage than others but that added to the sense of being and what this room encompasses.

 

One of the rooms which I wanted to see was the Tower Penthouse Apartment.  The three-storey private Tower Penthouse offers four individually decorated bedrooms, each with its own en suite bathroom. You can relax in the elegant living room, entertain in the dining area with fully equipped kitchen, and retire to the sitting room with its open fire place. There are also two large tower balconies with bird's-eye views of the area. It's an exceptional and exquisite location to stay and entertain.

All of the suites come with butler services.

The hotels new extension which will open Feb 2025, is located on the opposite side of the road but easily accessible from via a tunnel/path under the hotel. The extension offers a more sleek, modern aesthetic . The new wing will have 25 rooms including suites and a 5-bedroom penthouse.

Activities in winter

I experienced a lovely horse drawn carriage through the town and into the snowy St Moritz landscape. Wrapped in a blanket, this was such a wonderful way to spend the morning.

The Palace has a ski shop and ski school so you can book everything before arrival.

https://badruttspalace.com/st-moritz-events-activities-winter/#winter

Summer activities include a lot of water sports on the lake, horse riding, golf, tennis, hiking

https://badruttspalace.com/st-moritz-events-activities-summer/#summer

Ski

The Palace isn’t a ski in ski out hotel, but that doesn't faze anyone as the service to the slope is a well oiled machine. You will be taxied by Range Rover or Mercedes Viano to the funicular which is approx. 3 mins away.

The Chantarella-Corviglia funicular railway takes you from the centre of St. Moritz up to the top of the resort’s local mountain. The Signal cable car from St. Moritz Bad also takes you in the direction of Corviglia. Another cable car then takes summiteers even closer to heaven and the Piz Nair upper station at exactly 3,056 metres above sea level. Without breaking a sweat or exerting yourself, you can enjoy an unforgettable view of St. Moritz, the Upper Engadin lake region and the mountains.

 

The three main ski areas are Corviglia, Corvatsch & Diavolezza-Lagalb, all of which offer you something different. They’re all linked by the local ski bus, which is included in your lift pass. With more than 155 kilometres of runs close to home at Corviglia, many skiers and snowboarders are happy to remain on the local slopes for the duration of their stay. Others will want to see what other temptations the area's have to offer. Across the valley, Corvatsch is reached by cable cars from Surlej or Furtschellas at either end of Lake Silvaplana, and provides a large area of quite steep terrain. For non-skiers, there’s a wide array of activities including more than 200 kilometres of scenic cross-country tracks and miles of winter walking trails.

Spa

Making your way down to the very low levels of the property, the elevator door opens to a cave like feel. Met by a large water feature, you follow the corridors like a labyrinth towards the spa entrance.

The indoor pool, with its sweeping, floor-to-ceiling window offers stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, its truly incomparable. It’s a lens into such beauty that you genuinely feel as though you are in a magical wonderland. Outdoor there is also a heated swimming pool where you see the steam evaporate into the air.

Go up a level to the many treatment rooms. I experienced a massage which was great, however after the massage I was slightly disappointed by the relaxation area – it felt more like a doctor’s waiting room rather than an area to sip tea in a robe and enjoy the calm and tranquility.

Kids Club

Yes theres even a small kids club! Palazzino Kids Club is open every day from 9.30am to 8pm, meaning that you can get in a few uninterrupted hours on the slopes while your tot runs free on the outdoor playground (under adult supervision, of course) – and there are plenty of activities that are coordinated just for them, including ice skating, a cooking class and even a kids’ disco.

Shopping

A shopper's heaven for sure, with everything from Loro Piana, Gucci, Prada, Moncler, Miu Miu, Hermes, LV, Chopard, Tiffany, Cartier, Dior, Bvlagri  - the list is endless and all as you step out of the front door of the palace.

 

Departing from St Moritz

Taken by the latest fleet of Rolls Royce to the train station – 5 mins away for a 2 hour train to Chur then to Zurich or Geneva which takes you through the UNESCO heritage site, which is a delight to see especially in the winter as everything was covered in snow – it was like a fairytale. The trains in Switzerland are so efficient and run like clockwork.

 

Conclusion

Badrutt’s isn’t just a hotel; it’s a world within a world. It’s a storytelling extravaganza that transports you to another dimension. If only walls could talk, these walls have seen everything over its 129 years. The beauty, the comfort, the sense of history, the elegance, it's a hospitality institution of the highest level of luxury – every quality makes this a stay that’s truly one for the books and memories that last forever!

 

Note: Whichever time of year you plan on visiting Badrutts Palace the scenery is stunning from green in the summer to white in the winter. There is so much to do but just staying in the hotel is an experience onto itself. NYE is their big, huge, most extravagant occasion and I hear its one not to be missed. The hotel spends nearly one million Swiss francs on this spectacular night, full dress up to the nines and glamour on!

 

A huge thank you to Mr Richard Leuenberger, Thomas Citterio, Maximillan Busch, Jayjay and the entire team for your warm and incredible hospitality, it was truly an honor, an experience that I will never forget and a must-visit for all my clients who dare to dream…

 

For unique rates and more information contact

Unique Family Travels 

Danielle@uniquefamilytravels.com

 

www.uniquefamilytravels.com