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HomeLifestyleTravelThis stunning hotel helps make St. Moritz, Switzerland, one of the most...

This stunning hotel helps make St. Moritz, Switzerland, one of the most spectacular ski destinations in Europe


St. Moritz, Switzerland, The luxury resort city With a penchant for tomfoolery, it’s one of those funky destinations where serious athletes, eccentric artists, and Après enthusiasts converge.

Considered the birthplace of alpine winter tourism, the city sits at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. St. Moritz hosted the Winter Olympics twice (1928 and 1948) as well as Europe’s first curling tournament (1880), continuing the tradition of the Cresta Run—an annual hand-built, world-championship made from natural ice. Runs made-and there is-and there is. So despite the demand the local Lake St. Moritz has an impressively booked winter programme. The frozen body of water offers skijoring behind galloping horses, snow polo, cricket and vintage car racing.

A city of 5,000 residents that is self-branded as the top of the world, St. Moritz sells its own oak-forward room fragrance, polarized sunglasses and the Assol book, titled Chic. Since 1937, the city colors of blue and yellow have been protected by the trademark.

Every bit as storied as the city Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St. MoritzBuilt over an ancient, iron-rich mineral spring called the Mauritius Source, the hotel continues to pipe water into the spa for guests. Available through a dedicated tap and recommended to be drunk only once per day, the mineral water was key to establishing the town as a spa destination during the reign of Queen Victoria. Tinny yet strangely delicious, I found myself filling up a glass each of the four days.

The historic building, which houses 213 rooms and suites, dates back to 1864. As I strolled through the lobby or up the staircase that runs through the heart of the building, a sense of grandeur naturally followed.

Thanks to its oriels, turrets, and powder-blue window shutters, which can be seen from the Corviglia summit on a clear day, the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski remains steeped in tradition while thoughtfully modernizing.

Here, everything you need to know about the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski.

Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski

  • With seven pillow selections, including one for anti-aging, and three duvet offerings, a comfortable sleep is a top priority.
  • Four restaurants, a supper club, and an alfresco après bar (including a Beluga vodka igloo in winter and a Veuve Clicquot outdoor bar in summer) provide ample opportunities to raise a glass or dance the night away.
  • The hotel is a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive from the center of St. Moritz.
  • Every guest is greeted by the Lady in Red, an impossible-to-miss host/historian/concierge.

room

Interior of the bedroom and living room of a suite.

Courtesy of Rami Diab/Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz


Walking into my recently renovated Corner Tower executive double room felt like a well-balanced cocktail. Just the right amount of contemporary Swiss alpine charm, cue the warm wood tones and cool marble bathrooms, with a shot of the Scandinavian design aesthetic, all clean lines and soft furnishings, and a dash of contemporary non-furnishings. Sitting at the desk, which was outlined by windows on three sides, finding responding to emails equal parts delightful and distracting. I had a front row seat to the powder packed on the mountain.

One small but notable touch: The wardrobe was large enough to house a week’s worth of winter wardrobes for two adults, but it was the outer rows of hooks for pesky outwear that all-too-often commanders were a chair. , which were the highest, which were the highest. Appreciated.

In addition to rooms and suites, the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski offers 40 residences, ranging from one- to five-bedrooms, for vacation, seasonal or long-term stays.

Food and Drink

The Most Beautiful Table in St. Moritz, the brainchild of Monaco-based entrepreneur Flavio Briatore, has coined the term “Masters of Extravaganza” to describe the dramatic dinner show. Presented in acts, the performers often sync with the courses. Wagyu beef carpaccio with truffle and a side of singing; home make Maltagliati White veal with ragout accompanied by a pair of strong ones; grilled langoustines and acrobatic performances; Squares in mouth, white napkins in the air.

Low key but surprisingly luxurious, the lobby bar and restaurant has the most thorough accounting of dietary restrictions I’ve ever seen. Not only do they point to the more common ones like shellfish, gluten and lactose, but also, celery, lupine and sulfites. An impressive 14 allergens in total. More than one member of our group expressed joy at this dedication in detail.

The Michelin-starred cà d’oro looked lovely, but it’s worth keeping in mind the restaurant’s service dates and hours are limited at the peak of high season.

Activities and Facilities

The hotel is located at the foot of the Signalbanen and the legendary Hannens Piste. It’s a true ski-in/ski-out with access to not only the downhill Corviglia and Corvatsa ski areas, but also cross-country ski trails, hiking and mountain biking paths in the hotel park (which, conveniently, Leads to lakes and forests in the Engadine valley.

With 88 trails and an average snowfall of 369 inches, it’s worth noting St. Moritz is on the Ikon PassFor those less enthused by frozen water, St. Moritz Town is teaming up with shops like local florist Bel Verde, The Dear Brand extreme cashmereand more renowned international houses such as Zegna, Chopard and Davidoff.

Hauser & Wirth has an outpost here, and Koller Auctions, the leading Swiss auction house, accepts consignments at any time.

A can’t-miss experience: Paragliding. A Lady in Red can assist with booking a 20 to 40 minute experience. I won’t soon forget the peace of drifting on St. Moritz.

The Spa

Indoor pool at the hotel spa.

Courtesy Elisabeth Fransdonk/Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz


When Norman Zweier, the hotel’s marketing manager, encouraged me to delve into the spa’s classic sauna scenario, I thought he was exaggerating the offerings. I can confirm that the sauna landscape is very appropriately named, with six different hot offerings.

“The Finnish sauna boosts the immune system and increases circulation, while the bio sauna invigorates the senses, with its colorful lights and aromatic scents,” Zweyer told me. “The herbal sauna provides a calmness through its therapeutic aromas, and the stone sauna is all about relaxing and releasing stress. The steam bath and laconium expands blood vessels and stimulates the metabolism. Then the Ladies Spa “With an aroma grotto and bio sauna, it can be reserved for special occasions.” Additionally, there is a cold bucket shower and a knee-deep plunge.

Should one crave an extra chill, a cryotherapy room is available for a three-minute booking. And that’s before we even get to the marble indoor pool or the celestial outdoor pool (both kid-friendly).

Adequate gyms have Peloton, but with such a diverse set of outdoor offerings, I found it difficult to justify an indoor workout or fitness class.

Accessibility and Stability

The Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz has one handicapped-accessible room, a Deluxe Room. All public spaces and facilities of the hotel are accessible to guests with disabilities, except the spa, which is only partially accessible.

Place

The chicest way to arrive in St. Moritz is by private plane to Engadin Airport, three miles from the hotel. By car, it’s a three-hour drive from Zurich or Milan to the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski. By rail, the journey along the Rhaetian Railway from Chur via Tiefenkastel to St. Moritz is “one of the most beautiful and technically interesting in Europe,” according to Zweier. there is also a way UNESCO World Heritage StatusA complimentary 10-minute transfer awaits those who arrive at the train station.

How to get the most from your stay

Regarding loyalty programs, the hotel does not currently offer a points-based system or special treatment programs such as complimentary breakfast. However, they will soon transition from Kempinski Discovery to their own proprietary loyalty program, The Five. This program will not involve points accumulation, but will instead operate on a cashback basis for its guests.



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