The Carlton Hotel commands a presence that few mountain properties can rival. Standing above St. Moritz Lake with a vantage point that has attracted admirers for more than a century, the building does not so much blend into the alpine landscape as orchestrate its own stage. Originally constructed in 1913, the hotel was said to have been inspired by the designs of St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace. While that story drifts somewhere between history and mythology, what remains undeniable is the architecture’s theatricality: bright façade, stately balconies and sweeping terraces angled to catch the long winter light.

Guests arriving today are greeted by a building that wears its history well but never feels museum-like. Instead, its carefully restored exterior carries grandeur with a degree of restraint, balancing old-world detail with modern precision. In winter months, the snow accentuates its form, softening lines while heightening drama. At night, the building glows against the mountain, a deliberate illumination that signals both welcome and occasion.

Reaching the Carlton requires no hardship, despite its alpine perch. Guests traveling by air typically land in Zurich, Milan or even Samedan’s regional airport just a short drive away. The hotel arranges transfers with characteristic attention to detail, ensuring that the journey feels part of the experience rather than a hurdle. Rail connections into St. Moritz are equally appealing, the train carving its way through the Engadin Valley in a procession of viaducts and spirals that has earned UNESCO status. By the time one reaches the hotel’s entrance, the sense of arrival has already been heightened by the landscape. The Carlton positions itself as both a retreat and a base—accessible enough for comfort, elevated enough to feel removed from ordinary routine.

The hotel’s interiors were reimagined by Swiss-born designer Carlo Rampazzi, who layered the spaces with bold color palettes, rich fabrics and carefully sourced furnishings. Nowhere is this more evident than on the Bel Etage, the central hub of the property. This level connects many of the communal experiences: the sun terrace, the library, the bar and lounges that are equal parts theatrical and intimate.

The Sun Terrace remains one of the most coveted spots in St. Moritz, particularly in winter, when the air is crisp but the light abundant. Guests linger with champagne or coffee while surveying the frozen lake below, a panorama that makes every seat feel like the best in the house. Inside, the atmosphere shifts depending on the hour—afternoon tea in the lounge, aperitifs at the bar, evening cocktails framed by firelight. Each room feels distinct but tied together by a thread of exuberant design. This is not minimalism but a confident layering of textures and moods that makes lingering indoors as compelling as stepping out into the mountains.

THE ROOMS

The Carlton is unusual in that it offers only suites—sixty of them in total. This decision, bold in its exclusivity, ensures that every guest enjoys space and a sense of privilege from the outset. Each suite looks outward toward the lake or mountains, with balconies that extend the interiors into the alpine air.

The entry-level Junior Suites are anything but modest, with generous living areas, marble bathrooms and views that would constitute the highlight at many other hotels. Deluxe Suites add more square footage and design flourishes, while Grand Suites take on the scale of apartments, with multiple rooms ideal for longer stays or families. The Carlton Suite is an exercise in expansive living, where guests can inhabit a St. Moritz perch with both privacy and grandeur.

At the summit of the experience is the Penthouse Suite, an address in its own right. Occupying the top floor, it offers three bedrooms, sweeping living spaces and five balconies that frame the Engadin landscape in nearly every direction. To book this suite is to secure not just accommodation but a stage from which to experience the season in its most rarefied form. What unites all these options is Rampazzi’s design ethos: bold color, confident lines and a refusal to play it safe.

DINING

The Carlton offers two principal dining experiences, each with its own personality. The Grand Restaurant provides a more traditional setting, with chandeliers, rich fabrics and a menu that leans into international classics elevated by seasonal ingredients. Breakfast here sets the tone for the day, a mixture of à la carte options and a generous buffet that manages to feel abundant without being overwhelming.

More singular, perhaps, is Da Vittorio – St. Moritz, the Swiss outpost of the celebrated Cerea family, who hold three Michelin stars at their Italian flagship and garnered two stars at the St. Moritz location. Here, the culinary perspective is resolutely Italian but filtered through alpine context. Menus shift with the season, showcasing seafood flown in daily alongside game and truffles that reflect the region’s strengths. The dining room carries a theatrical flair but the food remains the true spectacle, with dishes that balance precision and warmth. For many guests, dining at Da Vittorio is not an accessory to the stay but a highlight in its own right.

Afternoon tea on the Bel Etage rounds out the hotel’s culinary rhythm. Cakes, pastries and delicate savories appear with ritualistic precision, paired with an extensive tea selection or champagne for those who prefer bubbles with their éclairs. The ritual feels indulgent yet relaxed, a moment where formality softens into comfort.

The informal cocktail is to be had at the Carlton Bar, with its cozy furnishings and roaring fire. When a view of the mountains is necessary (and, when is it not?), head to the Carlton Sun Terrace, a place where blanket-wrapped chairs and glass balconies welcome discerning epicureans into small bites and gourmet coffees in an open-air setting.

WELLNESS

The Carlton Spa extends across three levels, covering more than 1,200 square meters. Its design integrates natural light, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the lake and valley beyond. The spa menu follows the hotel’s Moving Mountains philosophy, a wellness concept rooted in the idea of harnessing alpine elements for vitality. Treatments use regional botanicals and natural ingredients, aligning with the broader sustainability ethos of the Tschuggen Collection.

Facilities include saunas, steam baths, relaxation zones and both indoor and outdoor pools. The outdoor pool is particularly striking in winter, steam rising against the backdrop of snow. Guests move between warmth and cold, fire and ice, in a rhythm that feels innately alpine. There are also dedicated spaces for fitness, with trainers and yoga sessions available for those who prefer structured movement to more meditative repose.

ACTIVITIES

The Carlton connects guests directly to the season. In winter, skiing is the obvious draw, with the Engadin valley offering miles of pistes for all levels. KAX will arrange everything from ski passes to private instructors, ensuring that even beginners can enjoy the slopes without logistical stress. For those seeking alternatives, the area offers horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoe treks, curling matches and ice skating on the lake when conditions allow.

In summer, the rhythms shift to hiking, mountain biking and lake swims. The hotel’s terrace becomes the stage for long lunches in the sun, while evenings may extend into al fresco cocktails against lingering twilight. The Moving Mountains program at the hotel curates experiences that go beyond activity, including guided explorations of local nature, cultural encounters in the valley and wellness retreats that integrate outdoor movement with spa restoration.

EVENTS

Though leisure defines the Carlton’s reputation, the hotel also accommodates gatherings of scale and significance. The Empire Ballroom, with its chandeliers and period detailing, serves as a dramatic setting for galas, parties or weddings. Corporate retreats are equally well supported, with modern technology discreetly integrated into heritage spaces.

Private events are tailored with characteristic precision. Whether for an intimate celebration or a multi-day buyout, the KAX Team ensures that the setting never overwhelms the moment. Instead, architecture and service work together to frame the event, allowing hosts and guests alike to focus on the experience rather than logistics.

KIDS ACTIVITIES

The Carlton extends its sense of welcome beyond adults, with a dedicated Kids Club that brings to life the story of Schellen-Ursli, one of Switzerland’s most beloved childhood figures. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the space is designed for children three years and older and guided by multilingual, professionally trained caregivers. Natural materials fill the play areas, encouraging imagination and tactile discovery. For younger children, babysitting can also be arranged upon request at an additional charge.

Although the overall atmosphere of the Carlton is crafted with refinement and quiet elegance in mind, families are not overlooked. The spacious suites make it possible for several generations to stay comfortably under one roof, while the team adapts services to meet the needs of younger travelers. Parents should note that the property is oriented more toward serenity than high-energy programming, so families seeking a full slate of child-focused activities might consider alternatives within St. Moritz. Those who choose the Carlton with children in tow will discover a calm yet accommodating environment—one that strikes a thoughtful balance between sophistication and family comfort.

SUSTAINABILITY

As part of the Tschuggen Collection, the Carlton has embraced a strong sustainability platform. The group became the first Swiss premium hotel collection to achieve CO₂ neutrality, a commitment that extends across energy, sourcing and operations. The Carlton reflects this through its Moving Mountains philosophy, aligning guest experiences with respect for the environment. Renewable energy, waste reduction and local partnerships reinforce the notion that luxury hospitality can coexist with ecological responsibility. Guests are invited to participate in this ethos not through sacrifice but through enriched experiences—whether enjoying locally sourced produce or treatments built on regional botanicals.

The Carlton Hotel in St. Moritz is not shy about what it represents. It is unapologetically grand, a winter palace reframed for modern hospitality, where every guest is granted suite-level accommodation and views that justify superlatives. Yet grandeur is balanced by intimacy, with design that invites as much as it dazzles and service that adapts rather than dictates. Dining, spa and activities align to create a rhythm that feels coherent, anchored in both history and forward vision.

For those seeking the distilled essence of St. Moritz—glamour, landscape, heritage and renewal—the Carlton delivers with clarity. Its strength lies not in excess but in focus: a stage carefully set, waiting to be inhabited by those who recognize that luxury is not noise but resonance.