What can you say about Badrutt’s Palace? One of my Instagram followers described it as “home” and another, “a rare and unique gem.” Both are true reflections of this palatial Sankt Moritz hotspot which, over the years, has become synonymous with the word “legend.” The who’s who of society have stayed here for yonks, and thanks to its strict “hotel guests only” policy a touch of mysticism only adds to its enduring allure. A jewel box of cavernous ballrooms and stately suites, it’s almost as though it was plucked from the film roll of a retro Stanley Kubrick film. The grand hotel feel is omnipresent and in between glitterati displays of artwork pieces, sculptures and hidden nooks, make it one of Switzerland’s greatest addresses perpetually stuck within its own storied and glamorous time capsule.
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Precision makes it a standout, and by Swiss standards, the place really outdoes itself. Greetings are meticulously planned with an almost white glove kind of affair introduction into the who’s who in the running this grand dame hotel. From the director of rooms to the assistant head butler, all came out to greet Mr Abrahams. This old school attention to service and detail, is perhaps what most of the world’s other modern hotel garrisons are lacking. Badrutt’s is a world within a world, an experience, and one that gives a sense of history, etiquette and quality other inns would kill for. To this day its success can still be credited to its founder Caspar Badrutt who built the hotel back in 1896. A St Moritz legend, beyond the hotel’s aristocratic appeal, he’s credited mostly for bringing the Brits to this part of the world, and as a result, much of that history remains throughout virtually all of the hotel’s spaces.
A traditional feel permeates throughout most of the common areas, especially in the breakfast salon (of Georgio Armani fame) and the timber-beamed La Coupole restaurant, formerly Europe’s first indoor tennis hall. Design symbiosis with the times spreads throughout: much of the furniture and Italian artwork is original to the period and the ecclesiastical lobby with its six-metre-high ceiling carved from wood remains intact. It’s a vision of the haute monde, en vogue crowd who outposh the furs of the English and the silks of the French. At times it can be accused of being too scene driven, but, if you are in the know, that’s the whole point. Badrutt’s is not any ordinary hotel, you go here to be seen. And that’s very much part of the palace’s mise-en-scene of flashy guests.
The rooms and suites are unexpectedly unapologetic, but not at all gratuitous or offensive. I was in suite 305, a refined space with on point views of the lake and mountains. Lined with neat wood plank floors, the grand parlour of a living room was bedecked in all sorts of fineries from regency style chairs and desks to Turkish carpets and walls adorned in Italian wallpaper. Crystal chandeliers grew out from the ceiling alongside gleaming sconces and rich cream fabrics that snaked their way in the direction of the balcony. The bathroom, flecked in white marble was just as regal, with roomy bathtub to match that spied a walk-in closet with enough storage space for three. Summed up, it hit just that sweet spot where elegance meets both the old world and the new, effortlessly I might add.
As for the food, it caters to excess and virtually every dietary preference imaginable. There are numerous spots to wine and dine, both on and off the borders of the palace. Think Japanese-Peruvian fusion, rustic Italian farmhouse, and a lobby bar where the scent of expensive cigars cling to red velvet banquettes. Chesa Veglia Pizzeria Heuboden was a highlight, not just for the pizza and parmigiana, but also for the whitty staff who put on a show, as was Le Relais, Badrutt’s fine dining soiree where dishes are prepped tableside for an added dose of theatrics. The lobster and beef are standouts, as are the wines plucked from a 30,000-bottle-strong collection hidden away and managed by master sommelier, Christina. Then there’s of course the glitzy Paradiso, the see-and-be-seen après-ski spot carved into the side of a mountain in the Corviglia ski area, some 6,000 feet up. It’s high-altitude partying on speed, served with a side of fondue and copious amounts of champagne set to the tune of Euro club classics. Breakfast is served in Le Restaurant to dramatic operatics: an extensive cold buffet is supplemented by a chef making eggs to order, with oodles of hot dishes available à la carte.
As for R&R, there’s so much to do here, but it’s a tad mind-boggling. Shop in numerous boutiques from YSL to Cartier and Dior; chillax in the spa with all sorts of treatments from mani-pedis to massages; go for a splash in the indoor or outdoor pool; or ice skate with a view of the lake. Adventure is of course what St Moritz is all about. The hotel set up a Toboggan run from Preda to Bergün on a 6km journey down the ice slopes, as well as my first-ever ski lesson with a private instructor at my request. Was I good? I mastered “the pizza” (stopping in English) so, yes.
All in all, Badrutt’s is a rare feat in this day and age. The exclusivity, the attention to detail, the level of service, and the sheer variety of what’s on offer is a testament to the people involved in managing this whopper of a hotel. While it is a master of at times vulgar excess and extravagance, it’s among the best service I have personally had in 2025, and for that, it gets top marks…something I very rarely award.
Top Takeaways
Location: St. Moritz, Switzerland
Rating: Five-star
The vibe: Haute vogue. Grab your furs darlings, because excess is what this place is all about.
Food + drink: Farm-to-table excellence with seasonal matches that follows one of the greenest hotel philosophies out there.
Amenities: restaurants, bar, spa, pool, ice rink, cigar lounge, member’s club, ski shop, tennis court (summer)
Our favourite thing about the hotel: Service. It is in a word, exceptional.
What’s nearby: St Moritz! It’s a cute easy downhill walk from the hotel, so just peek into every shop and outpost for a reel feel of what the place is all about.
Any personal neighbourhood recs? The Hauser and Wirth gallery pop-up exhibitions are worth a gawp, and if you are visiting in the winter, a brisk walk across the frozen lake into the new town is a nice way to work off the excess calories from the booze-filled night before.
Rooms? 155
Pricing: From about 1259 USD per night.
Closest international airport: Zurich, Milan or Geneva airports. Samedan is 6km away and is for the exclusive use of private jets.
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