I’m standing in the lobby of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in Switzerland trying to soak in all of the beauty around me. The dark wood-paneled walls, ornate coffered ceiling, gilded details, and arching windows of Le Grand Hall (also known as “the living room of St. Moritz”) contrast the magnificent view framed directly outside: acres of pure white snow, towering mountains, and swaths of black alpine trees, all illuminated by sunshine. The unspoiled snow glitters like a kaleidoscope, and it’s so blindingly white that it hurts my eyes to look at it without sunglasses.
I turn around and admire the incredible collection of art hanging on the walls around me. There’s a mix of different periods, subjects, and styles, from oil paintings with ornate gilded frames to time-worn pieces with fascinating provenance. A member of the hotel staff tells me that the Badrutt family collected art over the years from their world travels, and the hotel is often referred to as a museum by guests because there are different pieces of art on every floor and in every suite.
If the walls at Badrutt’s Palace could talk, they’d tell over 128 years of riveting tales, from hosting Wimbledon and the French Open in the early 1900s, to welcoming guests like Alfred Hitchcock, Bridgette Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, and Coco Chanel. The hotel’s signature Rolls Royce cars that pick guests up from the train station in style? They’re from the British Royal Family’s personal fleet, natch. Each day spent at the Palace reveals a new layer, a new secret, a new story about its fascinating past—but this iconic grand dame hotel isn’t slowing down any time soon.
Today, Badrutt’s Palace continues to build its legacy while paying homage to the romantic era of the “Grand European Tour” during which it was founded. As the birthplace of winter sports, it boasts direct access to the world-class Corviglia ski area and an unreal aprés ski scene at Paradiso Mountain Club with belly-warming fondue, crisp Champagne, and international DJs (you might just stand on the table and dance in a floor-length faux fur coat, there’s no judgment here). Each winter, the Palace also plays host to The ICE, where beautiful and rare classic cars race across the frozen Lake St. Moritz.
You might think a hotel of this caliber would feel stuffy or highfalutin, but it has a welcoming and playful spirit—next-level parties are simply ingrained in its DNA. In 1953, Badrutt’s started hosting Palace Balls, which ushered in the American jetset and firmly cemented it as the place to see and be seen. That hasn’t changed much in the 70-plus years—in fact, the annual New Year’s Eve costume party is perhaps more over-the-top than ever with its themed decorations totaling over one million Swiss Francs each year (yes, you read that correctly).
In 2018, the Palace opened an underground nightclub called King’s Social House that closes only when the last guest leaves. The hotel also has a wine cellar with over 30,000 bottles and a tiny elevator where a sommelier can send bottles to the property’s 11 restaurants, two bars, and nightclub within minutes. It’s like something straight out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
King’s Social House
These little secrets add to the sense of discovery that keep Badrutt’s Palace feeling fresh, and there’s another surprise addition currently in the works: an underground pedestrian tunnel system. The Palace is situated on Via Serlas, the shortest, highest luxury retail street, lined with stores like Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana, and Bulgari. The tunnel allows guests to bypass the traffic around these busy streets and discreetly walk underground to the town square and Chesa Veglia, the oldest farmhouse in St. Moritz that’s home to four of the hotel’s restaurant concepts.
Guests can also use this passage to access the new Serlas Wing, an expansion of the hotel designed by ACPV architects which is expected to open in December 2024. The 25 contemporary suites and guest rooms of the Serlas Wing boast high-quality materials from the alpine region, such as Dorato Valmalenco stone for the façade, locally sourced wood for the roof, and elegant bronze window details. Sleek and simple interiors with a focus on luxe textures (think: luxe oak wood finishes, Loro Piana wool-fabric wall paneling, and B&B Italia furniture upholstered in Loro Piana fabric) keep the focus on the surrounding natural beauty.
A rendering of the brand new Serlas Wing at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel
One thing is for certain: Badrutt’s Palace is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves well-appointed hotels, world-class skiing, beautiful snow-capped views, and fun with a capital F. Whether you’re eating a cheeseburger off a Ginori plate in Le Grand HallI, hitting the slopes, or taking in panoramic snowy mountain views from the spa’s outdoor jacuzzi, you’re sure to discover some delightful surprises of your own. And while you’re there, please enjoy some fondue and Champagne at Paradiso for me.
Jaime Milan (she/her) is the deputy digital editor for VERANDA, where she manages the brand’s cross-platform digital strategy. She also writes and edits dozens of stories each month about design, architecture, gardening, jewelry, travel, entertaining, shopping, news, and trends. Prior to joining VERANDA, Jaime was a digital editor for over 10 years at national news and lifestyle brands and has written everything from in-depth packages and celebrity news to features and holiday gift guides. In her spare time, she can be found shopping at the antique store, cooking, gardening, or teaching her mini Australian Shepherd, Gumbo, new tricks. Follow her on Instagram at @jaimemmilan.