Honestly, if you walk into the lobby of Palace Badrutt's St Moritz expecting just a fancy hotel, you've kinda missed the point entirely. It’s not just a place to sleep. It is, basically, the reason winter tourism exists at all. Back in 1864, Johannes Badrutt made a bet with some British summer guests that they’d enjoy the winter sun just as much as the summer. He promised to pay their travel costs if they didn't like it. They stayed, they loved it, and suddenly, the snowy Alps weren't just for hardy locals anymore.
The Palace itself opened later, in 1896, but it carries that "daredevil" DNA. You can feel it in the air. It’s a mix of old-world European royalty and the kind of modern glitz that usually feels out of place in the mountains, but here, it just works. People think it’s stuffy. It isn't. It’s grand, sure, but there’s a soul to it that most modern five-star resorts can’t buy with all the marble in Italy.
Why Palace Badrutt's St Moritz is basically a living museum
You’ve probably seen the iconic tower in photos. It’s the "Crowned Queen" of the Engadin Valley. But the real magic is inside Le Grand Hall. They call it the "living room of St. Moritz," and for once, the marketing hype is actually true. You sit there with a tea or a gin and tonic, looking out those massive windows at the lake, and you realize you're sitting exactly where Alfred Hitchcock used to sit. He came here so often—dozens of times—that they named a suite after him.
Speaking of Hitchcock, the hotel is full of these weird, wonderful quirks. There’s a painting in the lobby, the Madonna by Raphael’s workshop, that has been there forever. Most people walk right past it. But it’s those layers of history—the carved wood ceilings, the creaking floors in the older wings—that make it feel like a home rather than a commercial property.
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The 2026 Shift: Hotel of the Year
The big news lately? GaultMillau officially named Badrutt’s Palace the Hotel of the Year 2026. That’s a huge deal. It’s not just a legacy award either. They’ve been pouring money into this place like crazy. The new Serlas Wing just opened, and it’s a CHF 70 million masterpiece. They brought in Antonio Citterio (the guy behind many Bulgari Hotels) to design it. It’s got 25 new suites that feel way more contemporary—think Loro Piana fabrics and sleek lines—but they still connect to the main hotel via a tunnel that houses the longest hotel escalator in Switzerland. 18.79 meters, if you're counting.
Eating Your Way Through the Palace
If you’re a foodie, you’re basically in heaven. There are eleven restaurants. Eleven! Most small towns don't have that many good places to eat.
- Le Restaurant: This is where the white-glove service happens. Breakfast here is legendary. There’s a harpist playing while you eat your truffled eggs. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s actually quite relaxing.
- Chesa Veglia: This is a 1658 farmhouse across the street. It’s part of the hotel but feels totally different. It’s rustic, dark wood, very "Alpine chic." You have to get the Dama Bianca pizza—it’s got truffles and it’s basically famous in its own right.
- Matsuhisa: Located in what used to be Europe’s first indoor tennis court. It’s Chef Nobu’s spot. Japanese-Peruvian fusion in a Belle Époque setting is a trip, let me tell you.
One thing that’s changing in 2026 is the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival. For decades, it was a winter staple. Starting this year, they’re moving it to August. It’s a bold move, but it shows the hotel is leaning hard into "Summer in the Alps," which is honestly a better-kept secret than the skiing.
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The Myths vs. The Reality
You hear stories. You hear about the guest who wanted an elephant in the lobby for a birthday party (that actually happened). You hear about Gunter Sachs renting the tower for years and having Andy Warhol decorate it.
The biggest misconception? That you have to be a billionaire to walk through the doors. While a suite can run you CHF 40,000 a night (the Hans Badrutt Suite is essentially a palace within a palace), you can totally go for afternoon tea or a drink at the Renaissance Bar without a private jet. The "Palace Style" service is surprisingly democratic in how polite they are to everyone. They have 660 employees, which is a wild ratio for 157 rooms. Basically, if you sneeze, someone is there with a silk tissue.
What about the "Bond-style" Spa?
The Palace Wellness center is sort of tucked away. You go through this long, slightly mysterious tunnel to get there. The infinity pool looks right out over the lake. In the winter, you see the frozen lake and the horse races (White Turf) from the heated outdoor pool. It feels very 007. They spent about $80 million on the last major renovation of the spa, and it shows. It’s not just a sauna and a steam room; it’s an entire ecosystem of Himalayan singing bowls and high-tech treatments.
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Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you're actually planning to go to Palace Badrutt's St Moritz, don't just book the first room you see. The "Village Side" rooms are nice, but you’re coming here for the lake view. It’s worth the extra spend.
- The Season Matters: The hotel closes in the spring and fall. If you want the full experience with all eleven restaurants open, go in the winter. If you want the new "Garden Pool" and hiking, July and August are peak.
- The Dress Code: It’s more relaxed than it used to be, but after 7:30 PM, the Renaissance Bar and some restaurants expect you to look like you tried. Think "Alpine Chic"—jackets for men, no sneakers.
- Kids are actually welcome: They have a kids' club called "Palazzino" and even offer free laundry for kids under 12. It’s surprisingly family-oriented for a place that serves Dom Perignon at breakfast.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to experience the legend, here is what you should do:
- Check the 2026 summer dates for the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival if you're a food lover; it's the first time it’s ever happened in the sun.
- Look into the Serlas Wing if you prefer modern luxury over the "Grand Dame" historical style of the main building.
- Book a table at Chesa Veglia at least three weeks in advance. Even guests of the hotel struggle to get a Friday night spot at the Pizzeria Heuboden.
- Check the White Turf schedule if you're going in February. The hotel is a main partner, and watching horses race on a frozen lake from the Palace terrace is something you won't forget.
Ultimately, Badrutt’s Palace is a survivor. It has lived through two world wars, dozens of economic crashes, and the rise of Airbnb. It survives because it’s a world unto itself. It’s expensive, yeah, but it’s one of the few places left where the "Old Europe" glamour isn't a costume—it’s just the way they do things.