In many ways, Suvretta House is in a league of its own. As the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in St. Moritz, being a Suvretta House guest is like being a member of an exclusive club. Directly translating to “house above the woods,” Suvretta is exactly that, a regal oasis nestled in a secluded natural park on the outskirts of town. The advantages here, apart from the undisrupted peace and quiet, are many; Suvretta has its own private ski lift adjacent to the hotel with direct access to the slopes and its two mountain restaurants, Trutz and Chasellas. For those wishing to venture to town, Suvretta’s whimsical vintage Ford bus shuttles guests to and from the village every hour free of charge. Whether it’s indulging in the Full English Suvretta House Afternoon Tea in the lobby or terrace, a traditional fondue at Suvretta Stube, an aperitif at Anton’s Bar, or getting dressed up for the best caviar spaghettini you’ll ever have at the Grand Restaurant, you’ll be spoiled for options here—even down to your little ones, who can dine independently at the Teddy Club children’s restaurant in the company of new friends and under attentive care and supervision.
Kulm Hotel
In 1856, Kulm Hotel was the first hotel to open in St. Moritz and has since remained the main base for the winter season’s most sought-after events, given its inextricable link to the Cresta Run, which was built on the hotel grounds in 1891. Kulm Hotel, therefore, remains home to the St. Moritz Cresta Club and Tobogganing Club—a history steeped in the walls of Kulm’s Sunny Bar where old photos and trophies still hang. Kulm Hotel still retains its emblematic location in the heart of St. Moritz town, contributing its own collection of renowned restaurants, as well as an expansive spa with sprawling views of the lake. Down the road from the hotel is the Kulm Country Club, which originally opened in 1905 as a place for people to gather by the property’s natural ice rink, eventually becoming the official event base for the Winter Olympic Games. Following a CHF12 million refurbishment led by famed architect Lord Norman Foster, Kulm Country Club re-opened in 2017 with elements of the building’s original Art Nouveau past and traditional Swiss style informing the two-storey space: It includes a wood-paneled restaurant with a large sun terrace overlooking the ice rink, as well as a lounge and bar area on the ground floor featuring a selection of photographs, bobsleighs, and other memorabilia from the region.
Hotel Grace La Margna
The brand new 74-room Grace La Margna, located conveniently above the St. Moritz train station offers a tastefully modern alternative to the traditional grand hotels that have long characterized St. Moritz stays. Among the contemporary and minimalist design touches that can be seen across the hotel’s clean lines, muted hues, and mid-century modern tropes, the building’s Art Nouveau past has been delicately retained in the original decorative moldings, marble fireplaces, and heritage-protected bay windows located in its La Margna Wing. Its deliberate use of local wood, warm tones, and festive plaids emits a chalet-style warmth rather than stoic modernism. This is the case across the hotel’s many dining and living spaces, especially at N/5 bar, where master mixologist Mirco Giumelli takes guests on a cocktail journey with his unique creations of unlikely pairings. The hotel’s spa is a richly holistic experience, featuring several wellness showers, labeled emotional showers, where different combinations of light, mist, and water pressure create a healing experience, which guests can follow up with a 20-minute treatment on the Klaf’s sunlit meadow sonnenwiese lounger.
The Carlton Hotel
Located discretely atop a hill overlooking the lake of St. Moritz, The Carlton Hotel is an intimate stay with just 60 luxurious alpine-inspired rooms, making it the smallest of the five-star hotels in the area. You’re immediately immersed in a fairytale as you pull up to the hotel entrance to find fondu being served to guests in gondolas strategically placed at the edge of the hill overlooking the lake, and a sleigh sits on a bed of wood chips as you walk through the hotel’s front doors. The fairytale extends to the interior of the hotel, where guests are met with warm hospitality that feels professional, but relaxed—a sentiment that compliments the grand but intimate vibe here, which is especially felt at the living room-style Carlton Bar and Bel Etage. The hotel also features the hotel’s Grand Restaurant, the two-Michelin-starred Da Vittorio, and a spa.
Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski
The oldest and largest five-star hotel in St. Moritz, Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski is a fuss-free stay for travelers seeking a reliable luxury experience with comfortable rooms in a prime location for those who especially came to ski. The hotel is located in St. Moritz Bad, a 20-minute walk (or five-minute drive) from the ritzy hub of St. Moritz town, though it’s conveniently situated at the foot of the Signalbahn cable car, making it one of the few luxury properties with direct access to the slopes. Après ski, guests can descend to the hotel spa for an afternoon of recovery, which features Lifecube Cryotherapy, helping to reduce inflammation post-skiing. While the property is on the outskirts of town, the hotel offers various dining options on property, from the Michelin-starred Ca d’Oro, to a more casual Italian enoteca, Ristorante Da Adriano, and their buzzy lobby bar with live music.
Editor’s note: All hotels contain winter rental facilities on the premises, as well as shuttle services to/from the mountain.
Where to Eat and Play
On the Slopes
Photo: Courtesy of Paradiso