The Luxurious Charm of St. Moritz Switzerland

Nestled in the picturesque Engadin Valley in Switzerland is the ever-charming alpine village of St. Moritz. Located at the foothills of the Eastern Alps, just a few miles north of the range’s highest peak, Piz Bernina, there’s no wondering why the jet set have adopted St. Moritz as their favorite winter haven. From the snow-driven sparkling summits to the therapeutic natural springs, the stunning landscape of the Upper Engadin region beckons guests from around the world, as does the self-proclaimed “Champagne climate.” Home to the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics, St. Moritz is a winter sports lover’s dream.

While in St. Moritz, the charming boutique Carlton Hotel St. Moritz, built in 1913, is a lovely place to stay. Overlooking the lake, it offers otherworldly views. The hotel was renovated in 2007 by Ticinese Interior Designer Carlo Rampazzi, whose ability to combine nostalgia, freshness and exclusivity still creates a unique classiness at every turn. The hotel’s doors are open annually from December through March to welcome sophisticated travelers from around the world.

The suites at the Carlton Hotel are brightly decorated with cloud-like beds and expansive bathrooms. Each suite offers a minibar, Nespresso machine and water kettle for tea, as well as slippers and bathrobes for your spa experience. The most luxurious of the Carlton Hotel suites is the Carlton Penthouse. With 386 square meters of space and 360-degree views of the Engadin scenery, you’ll surely enjoy the views from the top of the world. The Penthouse includes three bedrooms — each with an en-suite bathroom — a library with an office area and a fully equipped kitchen. The living room with its fireplace is the perfect spot to relax with a hot chocolate or traditional afternoon tea after a day on the slopes.

Dining in St. Moritz is easy if you’re staying at the Carlton Hotel. Restaurant Da Vittorio is an epicurean’s dream. Found in the most exclusive location in St. Moritz, Restaurant Da Vittorio was awarded with 1 Michelin star and 18 Gault Millau points.

For traditional Swiss fare, Head Chef Gero Porstein and his team at the restaurant Romanoff serve fine cuisine and Grisions specialities. Here, the emphasis is placed on regional and seasonal products.

If relaxation is on your mind, the Carlton’s 1,200-square-meter spa is sure to delight. Various saunas and steam baths, a Hydro-massage shower, an ice fountain, a snow Kneipp trail and a sports pool, as well as heated indoor and outdoor pools, are all available to hotel guests. Indulge in a massage by one of the exceptionally skilled Carlton massage therapists in one of the spa’s six individual treatment rooms.

If it’s a fairytale St. Moritz experience you’re interested in, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is for you. Surrounded bythe city’s natural splendor, the hotel, which opened in 1896, remains true to its royal charm. The legendary hotel offers 157 lavish rooms, including 37 suites, and is dedicated to five-star hospitality. From its charismatic décor to its decadent cuisine, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a dream come true. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel also is pioneering environmentally friendly practices; in order to heat the hotel, a heat pump plant harnesses energy from the lake to keep the hotel and its water warm. This process is able to cover 80 percent of the hotel’s total energy needs.

Those hungry for more at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel will be delighted to learn that Japanese chef Nobuyuki Matshisa of Nobu has opened one of only six Matsuhisa Restaurants in St. Moritz. Matsuhisa@Badrutt’s Palace will tickle palates with its delightful Japanese and Peruvian fusion menu. This new go-to gourmet restaurant is able to seat a total of 108 guests in the uniquely designed dining room. Much like the fusion dishes, the aesthetics mix classic elements with contemporary styles to create an eclectic, yet stunning look. Located in Europe’s first indoor tennis hall — which was built in 1913 — the restaurant’s towering glass dome and riveted steel girders flood the space below with ambient light and provide a view of the hotel’s iconic tower. For a more intimate meal, the restaurant has a private dining room for 10 guests. It also offers a private lounge for wine tastings and other special occasions. The wooden parquet floors that were used for the International Tennis Federation’s 1992 championships are now utilized as the sushi bar and the open kitchen behind it. Some of the most interesting menu items are the black cod, yellow tail jalapeño and the rock shrimp tempura. A nod to Nobu, the restaurant’s signature cocktails will be served at Matsuhisa@Badrutt’s comfortable cocktail bar and lounge.

Once you’ve satisfied your hunger, perhaps it’s time for some retail therapy. The Palace Galerie of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a world-class, mile-long luxury shopping mall with collections from the world’s most famous designers, jewelers and artists.

For those who want to hit the slopes, St. Moritz which is located in Switzerland’s largest snow-sport region, offers some of the world’s best slopes and trails for skiers and snowboarders, as well as the world’s only natural bobsleigh track, opened in 1890. The downhill ski areas include Corvatsch Furtschellas Silvaplana, Corviglia, Diavolezza and Pontresina. With 55 lifts and more than 200 miles of ski runs and a snowpark, there is plenty to keep you active. Additionally, more than 100 miles of cross-country skiing tracks and almost 100 miles of walking trails are available. Other activities in the area include ski hiking on mountain glaciers, bobsleighing, hang-gliding and paragliding.

Another favorite activity in St. Moritz is White Turf. This exclusive, elite horseracing event comprises gourmet fare, music, art exhibitions and more on the Lake St. Moritz. The 2016 event will begin on Sunday, February 7 and will continue the following two Sundays, February 14 and February 21. More than 35,000 visitors attend the annual event in this celebrated winter wonderland.