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St. Moritz has long occupied a singular position in the world of Alpine travel. Perched high in the Engadin Valley and framed by its namesake lake, the resort established the very rhythm of the winter season in the 19th century, when Johannes Badrutt’s wager persuaded English guests to return for snow rather than sun. What followed was the birth of winter tourism as a social institution, and with it, a hotel culture shaped by ceremony, discretion, and enduring glamour.
Today, the finest hotels in St. Moritz reflect that lineage. Neo-Gothic landmarks overlook the lake, Belle Époque façades guard private estates above the slopes, and carefully considered contemporary restorations introduce a quieter modernity to the skyline. Each property carries its own legacy, yet all share the same constants: proximity to the Corviglia and Corvatsch ski areas, polished service honed over generations, and an atmosphere that treats winter not as a season, but as an occasion.
Badrutt’s Palace
An icon of Alpine luxury, Badrutt’s Palace has defined St. Moritz glamour since 1896, when Caspar Badrutt built the Neo-Gothic landmark overlooking Lake St. Moritz. While the origins of winter tourism are tied to Johannes Badrutt’s earlier wager at the Kulm, Badrutt’s Palace quickly became the social heart of the resort, cementing its international reputation for winter sophistication.
Guests are welcomed into refined rooms and suites, a legendary lobby framed by intricate timber ceilings, and an extensive collection of restaurants and bars, including Michelin-recognised dining. The Palace Wellness spans generous indoor and outdoor spaces with sweeping views across the Engadin Valley. After dark, King’s Social House, widely regarded as Switzerland’s oldest nightclub and reimagined in recent years, sustains the hotel’s long-standing reputation as the epicentre of St. Moritz nightlife.
Carlton Hotel St. Moritz
Perched high above the lake in St. Moritz Dorf, the Carlton Hotel remains one of the resort’s most exclusive addresses. With just 60 suites, all facing Lake St. Moritz, the property offers privacy, sunlight, and uninterrupted Alpine panoramas. Interiors by Carlo Rampazzi are richly layered and theatrical, balancing grand European flair with contemporary comfort.
The three-storey spa extends across more than 1,200 square metres, with saunas, steam rooms, treatment suites and an indoor-outdoor pool overlooking the valley. Culinary distinction comes courtesy of Da Vittorio St. Moritz, awarded two Michelin stars in recent guides, alongside refined dining and afternoon tea in the Carlton Bar. Intimate in scale yet expansive in outlook, the Carlton continues to embody discreet, elevated luxury.
Hotel Grace La Margna St. Moritz
Reopened in 2023 following an extensive restoration, Hotel Grace La Margna St. Moritz represents a new chapter for the town’s hotel scene. The historic Art Nouveau building has been carefully revived, complemented by the contemporary Grace Wing, which introduces clean lines and a mid-century sensibility to the property’s lakeside setting.
Light-filled rooms and suites frame views across Lake St. Moritz and the surrounding peaks, while the spa integrates modern wellness design with private treatment areas and select suite categories offering expansive terraces and outdoor whirlpools. Dining has quickly become a defining feature, with The View restaurant showcasing Alpine vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows, alongside venues such as N/5 – The Bar and the internationally recognised Beefbar concept. The result is a seamless blend of heritage architecture and contemporary Alpine style.
Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains
Located in St. Moritz Bad, opposite the Signalbahn lift station, the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains pairs Belle Époque heritage with contemporary resort infrastructure. The palatial façade, with its pastel shutters and classical symmetry, hints at its early-20th-century origins, while interiors lean towards understated modernity.
The hotel is particularly well-suited to active travellers. The Signalbahn provides swift access to the Corviglia ski area, and the Hahnensee run finishes nearby, allowing for convenient returns at the end of the day. Facilities include an in-house ski shop, two indoor squash courts, tennis and padel, and a substantial spa concept rooted in the region’s historic mineral spring tradition. Expansive pools, saunas, and steam baths complete a well-rounded alpine retreat.
Kulm Hotel
Founded in 1856 by Johannes Badrutt, the Kulm Hotel holds a singular place in St. Moritz’s history. It was here, in 1864, that Badrutt famously invited his English summer guests to return in winter, a wager that would help establish the town as the cradle of Alpine winter tourism.
Today, the Kulm remains a benchmark of refined Swiss hospitality. Elevated above the lake in St. Moritz Dorf, it offers sweeping views, elegant suites, and a comprehensive spa with indoor pools, saunas, and outdoor hydrotherapy overlooking the mountains. Recent enhancements to its guest facilities, including reimagined ski infrastructure, reflect the hotel’s commitment to evolving the winter experience while preserving its historic character. Gourmet dining and meticulous service continue to define its enduring appeal.
Suvretta House
Set within its own wooded estate above St. Moritz, Suvretta House resembles a fairytale castle rising from the snow. The turreted property occupies a rare position as the only hotel in St. Moritz with its own private ski lift providing direct access into the Corviglia ski area, as well as a dedicated ski school.
Inside, British and Swiss influences meet in cosy lounges, a traditional curling club, and a refined 1920s-style bar. The Grand Restaurant presents classic French cuisine with international accents in an elegant, chandelier-lit dining room. Beyond the slopes, the hotel offers extensive wellness facilities, including a glass-encased indoor pool, as well as its own outdoor ice rink set against the Alpine landscape. Long favoured by families and loyal returning guests, Suvretta House embodies timeless mountain grandeur.
Each of these hotels expresses the spirit of St. Moritz in its own way, whether through historic legacy, architectural revival, or contemporary reinvention. With exceptional access to world-class skiing, crystalline lakeside scenery, and a culture of polished hospitality refined over more than a century, they continue to define what it means to stay at one of the world’s most exclusive winter destinations.
