The fabled alpine village of St. Moritz in Switzerland’s Engadine Valley has hosted the European jet set and nobility since 1868, when hotel pioneer Johannes Badrutt invited the first British tourists to spend the winter in the Alps. Since then, the champagne has not stopped flowing in this idyllic resort town.
A sportsman’s paradise, St. Moritz is synonymous with skiing and ice skating, making it an obligatory winter destination for discerning travelers. Here you can shop like if you were in New York and dine like you would in Paris or Piedmont, all while taking in the fresh mountain air of the Swiss Alps.
At the center of all the action, the Carlton hotel has been attracting visitors since 1913. The 60-suite boutique resort and spa underwent a total renovation that lasted 18 months in 2007, redefining luxury and personalized service in the picture-perfect valley and beyond. Glamorous, elegant and vibrant, the refurbishment of the property showcases a contemporary re-interpretation of the original structure led by interior designer Carlo Rampazzi. The ample suites offer magnificent vistas of the frozen lake and the valley below, allowing the crisp alpine light to fill the spaces and set the mood for relaxed informality.
Executive Chef Salvatore Frequente spoils guests at the hotel’s two restaurants. While the Romanoff provides an ideal setting for fine dining with offers of caviar and salmon as appetizers, and pastas, seafood and veal a la carte, the more relaxed Tschine reflects on the notion of casual dining and the re-discovery of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. For cocktails and light bites, the meticulously restored Carlton bar with two open fires and a spectacular sun terrace boasts the best views of the lake.
After a strenuous session on the slopes, which – after all – is the reason you are in St. Moritz, the best remedy for those sore muscles is to pamper yourself at the divine Carlton spa, set on 13,000 square feet of luxurious amenities. The spa has the only indoor/outdoor-heated pool in town overlooking the Alps, where guests can indulge in relaxation and be transported to new levels of well being. After a deserving spa treatment, you’ll be ready to return home feeling refreshed and full of memories of Alpine hospitality. ■
