< SWITZERLAND | ST. MORITZ: Badrutt's Palace Hotel

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The history of hospitality in the centre of the Engadin Alps, began in 1856 when Johannes Badrutt who took over the 12-bed Pension Faller in St. Moritz and upgraded it into a Engadiner Kulm Hotel, today known as the Kulm Hotel. After purchasing the former Hotel Beau Rivage in 1892, his son Caspar contracted the renowned architects from Zurich, Chiodera & Tschudi to convert it to the Palace Hotel. To begin with it was a recreational destination only during the summer months, but this once so peaceful St. Moritz developed into an elegant centre for Alpine winter sports, after Johannes Badrutt made a bet with English summer guests.

Since then, the development of the Palace Hotel has been part of the Badrutt family. After the opening celebration on July 29th 1896, many of the family members have worked constantly to sustain the hotel economically, as well as to preserve and extend this splendid mountain hotel in Engadin. The historical house, Chesa Veglia, was purchased and converted in 1935, in order to offer guests of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel culinary delights outside the hotel’s restaurants.

With the death of Hans Badrutt in 1953, who had taken on the directorship from his father, Caspar Badrutt after his death in 1904, the directorship was passed on to his wife Helen and her son Andrea Badrutt, who later, together with his brother, Hansjürg Badrutt, took things under their wings. It was never a question of waiting for things to happen or resting on their laurels in Badrutt’s Palace Hotel.

The hotel’s services and facilities have been continuously adjusted to suit the times and in doing so, it belongs to one of the most luxurious hotels in Switzerland. The historical tower and symbol of St. Moritz was rebuilt and extravagantly refurbished after a fire in 1967.

After the extension of the Suot-Mulin-Complex between 1981 and 1984, which housed new suites and privately owned apartments, the management of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel was transferred to the luxury hotel chain of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts. During this period many renovations, extensions and technical installations were made that added to the substance and development of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. Then followed the building of the «Kids’ Club Palazzino», the opening of the shopping mile «Palace Galerie», and the opening of the Helen Badrutt and Hans Badrutt Suites which are an homage to both family members and are extraordinary in their luxury and exclusivity.

In 2004, the distinguished hotelier, Hans Wiedemann took over as Managing Director of this family-managed luxury hotel and with this began a complete and comprehensive restructuring of all the hotel areas including the infrastructure, service and facilities. In order to preserve the historic interior and the unmistakable charm of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel for another 100 years, the many and thorough renovations were completed in 3 stages. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has become a symbol of responsible business and sustainability in the name of its guests and the environment.

Today, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel boasts 157 guestrooms and 37 suites with stunning views of the Swiss Alps. Since April 2003, the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is being run as a private hotel again. The hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, Swiss Deluxe Hotels and Swiss Historic Hotels.

For 120 years, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has been welcoming the rich and famous... "To see and be seen", this motto still rings true today for guests of the iconic St. Moritz hotel. It is no wonder that stars and famous people such as Marlene Dietrich, Gunter Sachs, Audrey Hepburn or Alfred Hitchcock stayed here.

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