As a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland, St. Mortiz is well-known for its winter offerings. But the ski destination, which has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, is equally appealing during the summertime. After spending three days there last August, I can vouch for visiting the lavish location when the weather warms. Sure, winter sport enthusiasts have plenty of reason to wait until serious snowfall—the town does average more than 300 sunny days per year, making crisp, clear winter days ideal for skiing—but there are countless other activities to enjoy when temperatures are higher. Armed with recs from locals, I’ve compiled a list of everything travelers eager for a design-forward itinerary should consider—including where to stay, shop, explore, and dine in and around the Engadin valley town. Let these highlights (plus a few things I hope to one day return to do!) build the foundation of your trip—whether you’re planning a quick jaunt or week-long stay.
The Transportation and Accommodations
To get to St. Mortiz, I took a roughly three-hour train ride from Zurich. While the journey does involve switching trains, it was a breeze—and well-worth it for the scenic views. From the train station, I was picked up in a classic Rolls Royce courtesy of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. That marked the beginning of an opulent stay at the five-star hotel, which is among a handful of grand properties in St. Moritz. First opened in 1896, Badrutt’s Palace has amassed many accolades including a spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list in 2023. So it’s no surprise the family and pet-friendly place not only continues to draw in new visitors but has an ever growing collection of guests who return annually.
The entrance of Badrutt’s Palace is marked by grand arches.
The Hitchcock Suite living room features an intricate wood-paneled ceiling.
With a mix of traditional and contemporary chateau influence, Badrutt’s Palace encompasses 155 guest rooms with 43 suites. I stayed in the suite named after film director Alfred Hitchcock, who booked that exact room 34 times. It’s said that he found inspiration for the 1963 movie The Birds while in residence, and it’s very apparent why: Every morning, the birds put on a show. They like to hang out on the ledge of the bedroom window, then fly back and forth in front of the private balcony overlooking the lake. It’s quite entertaining and by no means invasive; I never saw the birds plant themselves on the balcony, just fly by.
Arched doors and windows lead to the Hitchcock Suite balcony.
The mountain view from the Hitchcock Suite is stunning at all hours of the day.
Apart from that piece of Hollywood history (guests can actually watch The Birds on the in-room TV!), the suite itself is endlessly charming thanks to wood-paneled ceilings and archways along with patterned furnishings and delicate light fixtures. Plus, the bathroom is stocked with Dyson hair tools—a must-have these days!
A leather headboard and glitzy chandelier elevate the serene bedroom.
The bathroom includes a tub, shower, two vanities, and windows with mountainside views.
Beyond the Hitchcock Suite, the other rooms take on a more contemporary chalet-inspired air. I got a sneak peek at the hotel’s new Serlas Wing, which takes that style to a new level. Opening in winter 2025, the wing boasts 25 spacious guest rooms each with a soft, neutral color palette; they’re all outfitted with natural materials, including wool and cashmere, for a luxe, organic feel. Bonus: There’s also an underground pedestrian tunnel system that leads from the wing to the town. Talk about discretion!
Le Grand Hall of Badrutt’s Palace is the perfect place for grabbing a drink and enjoying the views.
Inside the heated outdoor pool, there’s a circular area with jets for extra relaxation.
The property’s other idyllic features include a grand hall with wood paneling and massive arched windows that frame lake views. There’s also a heated outdoor pool, indoor pool, spa, tennis courts, and a basketball court for all of your sporty and leisurely needs.
The pastry-making class I took involved making chocolate lava cake, vanilla gelato, and more.
The dining shed in the wine cellar is a super cozy setting for private meals.
In the robust wine cellar, a former garden house—dubbed Krug Stübli after the champagne—acts as a cozy chalet for private fondue dinners. That’s one of the many exclusive activities the hotel can set up; they can also arrange private events in the wine cellar, pastry-making, yoga, paddle boarding, and so much more. All of this is executed by the hotel’s unbelievably attentive staff members who ensure guests feel utterly spoiled throughout their stay.
The Shopping
Super Mountain Market.
Super Mountain Market.
- Super Mountain Market is a one-stop destination for carefully crafted home goods, art, fashion, and other curiosities. The concept store features makers, both local and international, in a thoughtful display that’s a true delight to browse whether you’re looking to expand your glassware or jewelry collection.
- At Rominger Holzmanufaktur‘s in-house carpentry workshop, the company crafts furniture mainly made of local wood from the Pontresina forests. If you’re not in the market for a new bed or cabinet, the St. Moritz shop is full of home accessories—ceramic dinnerware, tea towels, pillows, blankets, soaps, and candles—most of which you can easily stow in your suitcase.
- Since 1880, Ebneter & Biel has specialized in hand embroidery. The traditional, family-run business whips up embellished table linens, cocktail napkins, and bedding—all of which make excellent one-of-a-kind keepsakes.
- Luxury shopping is abundant in St. Moritz, especially when it comes to fashion, so it’s worth noting the Palace Galerie is a convenient destination for retail therapy or simply taking a look around. Along with brands like Dior, Gucci, and Bulgari, there’s an art gallery, Hauser & Wirth, that features rotating exhibitions tied to the local community and landscape. Not only is it free to enter, but it includes the Roth Bar on the ground floor—a fully functioning bar that doubles as an art installation; it’s made of scavenged materials that are always changing.
The Dining
Room service in the Hitchcock Suite.
Paradiso Restaurant.
- When I have access to exquisite accommodations, I tend to take breakfast via room service to maximize time spent in a lush bed or on a private balcony with a view. At Badrutt’s Palace, I embraced the latter daily while savoring double croissants washed down by a cappuccino and orange juice. One morning, I was introduced to truffles on avocado toast. Everything was delicious and available through the Palace’s Le Restaurant. But there is live harp music if you go dine in person!
- Tucked into the mountains is a club and restaurant known as Paradiso, which is worth visiting for the view alone. While you can hike, bike, or even shuttle there, the most scenic route is by gondola. I took one to get there for a leisurely lunch, where you can grab anything from black truffle fondue to surf and turf. Then I walked down the mountain for an after-meal stroll that led back into town.
Chesa Veglia: Pizzeria Heuboden.
Chesa Veglia: Pizzeria Heuboden.
- Located in the former hayloft of a 1685 farmhouse, Chesa Veglia: Pizzeria Heuboden is a must for traditional Italian food. The restaurant specializes in stone-oven-baked pizzas and serves an array of classics from pastas to fresh fish. During a family-style meal, I enjoyed the perfect trio of mains: the truffle Dama Bianca pizza, the Chesa Veglia pizza (a tomato-basil-mozzarella variety), and the trofie pasta with pesto. All of this was made better by the atmosphere. The interiors are enveloped in warm wood and glowing lights. Plaid tablecloths and plush, red seating complete its cozy feel.
- It’d be wrong to not eat chocolate while in Switzerland, and Läderach is an excellent place to try various chocolates and stock up. (You may be familiar with Läderach, as they have shop locations across the U.S.) While the chocolate artisan sells gift boxes with perfectly cut rectangle-shaped chocolates in different flavors, consider getting the pieces you choose bagged at the counter for a better bang for your buck.
- Cafe Hanselmann is another go-to sweets utopia—and it has an over 125-year history tied to St. Moritz. At the family-owned café-bakery-confectionery, you can satisfy practically any craving. The Engadinger nut cakes and handmade pralines are popular, but you can also find chocolates, breads, pastries, cakes, and more.
- Honorable mention: Pavarotti Wine Bar is a local favorite. Had I a little more time (and, honestly, energy), I would’ve grabbed a seat at this eatery for its wide selection of wines, nice appetizers, and simple Italian cuisine. In the summer, there’s outdoor seating for alfresco hangouts. But you can also choose to dine indoors among eccentric decor.
The Exploration
Alp-Schaukäserei Morteratsch.
Alp-Schaukäserei Morteratsch.
- Venture to Alp-Schaukäserei Morteratsch dairy, and you’ll be in for a real treat. You can watch a local cheese master at work using a hanging vat over an open fire, and learn the traditional techniques used to make Heutaler cheese, Gletschermutschli, and fresh ricotta. Then, brunch is served with various cheeses, meat, bread, Swiss oatmeal, and more. It’s suitable for all ages, and there are goats and other animals on the property.
- The domed Segantini Museum is a tribute to the famous painter Giovanni Segantini. Situated on a small hill, it houses his work, which was largely influenced by pastoral landscapes of the Alps. It’s not very big, so it’s ideal if you have a quick hour to kill.
Segantini Museum.
Segantini Museum.
- While St. Moritz is fairly small, a guided village walking tour arranged by the St. Moritz tourism office is an excellent way to get your bearings, gather recommendations, and learn more about the town.
- If you’re an avid biker, consider taking a mountain, racing, or e-bike ride through the area’s extensive network of nature trails. After hopping on an e-bike from Badrutt’s Palace to a nearby lake for a quick swimming sesh, I couldn’t picture a better way to spend an active afternoon than taking in the natural beauty from a bike. Packing a picnic would make it even better!
If I were to return for a future summer visit, I’d definitely go horseback riding through the mountains. And in the winter, I can imagine how lovely it’d be to soak in the heated outdoor pool of Badrutt’s Palace while gazing through rising steam at snow-dusted mountains. In the meantime, I’ll relive the memories I have in my head!