Four years ago was the first time I heard of Saint Moritz (Sankt Moritz). It was described to me as the “Beverly Hills of the Swiss Alps.” Naturally, I had to go.

Since then, I’ve been twice. First with my bestie, Gina, and most recently last month with my boyfriend. It’s certainly a place that will have you wanting to come back for more.

About Saint Moritz

St. Moritz is located in Engadine; the southern-most high valley of the Alps (5905 Ft.) It became a popular winter destination after the 1928 & 1948  Winter Olympics. These days, it’s also popular for the infamous St. Moritz Lake events: Snow Polo World Cup & the White Turf Races.  Visitors dress in their most stylish winter gear and head to the frozen lake!

If the lake events or skiing at Corviglia doesn’t appeal to you, the town of St. Moritz is buzzing with many chic boutiques, art galleries, glitzy restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It has the perfect balance.

Although I’ve only gone in the winter, I’ve heard Saint Moritz is just as beautiful in summer too. It hosts the “Festival da Jazz” and of course there is always hiking and relaxation in the spas.

A destination for those around the world, celebrities and successful business professionals also vacation in these Alpine mountains. Hence the “Beverly Hills of the Alps” description!

Getting There

Although St. Moritz is close via car to Milan, we found it was cheaper & faster to fly in to Zurich then take a train down to St. Moritz. The train from Zurich took about 3/3.5 hours with only one change. Meanwhile, it took 5 hours and 2 changes when we were headed to Milan.

When checking car rental sites, it was too expensive to return a car in another country. Not to mention, the train from Zurich to St. Moritz has stunning views, and is most famous for the Landwasser Viaduct.  You can find information on train schedules and fares here

Hotels

During our stay in Engadine, we broke our hotel stay up in two sections.  First we stayed in Pontresina at the Hotel Grand Kronenhof, which is about a 10 min drive from St. Moritz (shuttles to the mountain provided). Followed by a stay at the Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz. We worked in conjunction with the hotel, which was my goal after my first visit a few years ago. Both hotels are members of the “Swiss Deluxe Hotels”  which are the most exclusive 5 star hotels in Switzerland. Essentially, this means you’ll be treated like royalty. Their service is impeccable…

Our Stay at the Hotel Grand Kronenhof

What a surreal view I woke up to at the Hotel Grand Kronenhof! We stayed in a suite that was designed by renowned hotel designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Attention to detail included wooden crafted bed frames and pillows with materials that provided natural calming effects. The room was spacious, airy (that balcony!) and even had a large office space that was very convenient for me.

The Grand Hotel Kronenhof was established 170 years ago and although it’s been updated, it still holds true to it’s original charm.  As you can see from the photos below, the hotel has rightfully earned it’s title Grand. The neo-baroque building is one of the most architecturally significant Alpine hotels of the 19th century. Check out our drone video to really appreciate the property.

 

On-site are 3 restaurants, a classy bar, cigar room (with pianist,) an antique bowling alley, iceskating rink and of course a stunning spa. Although located 15 minutes from St.Moritz town, Pontresina also has a charming town with restaurants, shuttles to the lifts, and a train station.

Our Stay at the Kulm Hotel:

I must admit, the stunning outdoor spa is what originally drew me to the Kulm hotel the first time I visited St. Moritz. We didn’t have a massage appointment, so I paid to use the facilities for the day. The spa was Ahhmazing. Apparently it cost approx. EUR 12m to build the sauna, steam rooms, whirlpool, pools etc. It showed!

I was so happy to stay at the Kulm this time around; and to have the pleasure of getting to know more about it’s history. Ironically, the Kulm was the first hotel in St. Moritz and after popular events such as the Olympics, it’s popularity grew. We actually had dinner at the Kulm Country Club where the Olympics were held. Some of the memorabilia in the club included pictures of Charlie Chaplin and other famous faces.

Once entering the Kulm, you’ll notice it oozes luxury. The interior of the Kulm was also designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon and has incredible views of Lake St. Moritz. Our suite was recently renovated, featuring tranquil colors with luxurious alpine wood which gave the room a zen scent.

At the Kulm Hotel, there are also many onsite bars & restaurants, including “The K by Tim Raue”  which has a Michelin Star!  Regardless, all meals were impressive and had me back in the gym this past month. My boyfriend, Stuart,  personally enjoyed their smoking room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake.

Things to do

Oh where to start! When in St. Mortiz, there are endless boutiques, restaurant and bars in town. Depending on when you visit, there are specific events that you can attend.  Here is an events calendar, and I’ve jotted a few activities below.

During the winter (December- March)

• The Christmas- New Years Eve is the busiest holiday in St. Moritz. Many of the hotels have big parties and also a large firework show.
• Skiing/Snowboarding St. Mortiz mountain, Corviglia aka “The Top of the World.” Plenty of restaurants and bars are available via trolly for non skiers/snowboarders. The buses and tram transportation are available all over town. Depending on which hotel you stay in, you may receive discounted rentals or day passes.
• The Snow Polo World Cup
• White Turf Races
• Claude Cartier Challenge Cup– toboggan races
• Cricket Matches
• Ice Skating at the St. Moritz Country club
• The Glacier Express with panoramic views.
• Apres on the slopes- Fondue is so fun!
• Cross Country Skiing
• The Segantini Museum & other local galleries
• Bobsleighing
• Spa Day 😉

During the Summer ( Mid June- Mid October)

• Enjoying the lake via sail boat, paddle boards etc.
• Jazz Festival
• Hiking or biking
• Yoga retreats
• Relaxation at the spa
• Take the Muottas Muragl funicular railway to the mountain tops for panoramic views
• Golf at 1800M

Always sad to leave, but excited to come back and experience my first summer here. Until then St. Moritz…

If you enjoyed this post, and or winter holidays in the Alps, check out Travel Guide: Skiing in Les Arcs, France.  As always, feel free to contact me with any questions!