KULM HOTEL
The Kulm Hotel does not merely sit in St. Moritz—it presides. Perched on a slope with a commanding view of the lake and valley, the hotel appears at once timeless and utterly rooted in its location. Its façade balances alpine solidity with stately detail, a reflection of its role as the place where winter tourism began. Since opening in 1856 under Johannes Badrutt, the property has set the pace for luxury in the mountains, and its silhouette remains one of the defining images of St. Moritz.
Approaching the entrance, guests are greeted by stonework and tall windows that give away little of the grandeur inside. In winter, the building gleams against the snow, each wing and balcony defined by crisp alpine light. By summer, the same exterior feels softened by greenery and flowers that spill across terraces. Either way, the impression is one of permanence—this is a hotel that has witnessed eras and retained its poise throughout.
The journey to Kulm Hotel begins long before the arrival hall. St. Moritz is easily accessible from Zurich, Milan and even by private flights into nearby Samedan airport, which places guests within minutes of the property. The iconic Bernina and Glacier Express rail journeys also carve their way into the valley, offering arrivals a sense of spectacle along with convenience. Transfers arranged by the hotel ensure that the final approach is seamless. By the time guests step inside, the Alps have already framed the stage and the Kulm is ready to play host.
The interiors of Kulm Hotel deliver on the expectations set by its reputation. Historical details have been carefully preserved, from coffered ceilings and ornate chandeliers to period paneling and gilded mirrors. Yet the effect is never static; the spaces breathe with activity and rhythm.
The lobby greets with warmth, a blend of polished heritage and contemporary ease. Moving through the property, guests encounter lounges designed for lingering, a bar that balances elegance with conviviality and terraces that open to sweeping views over Lake St. Moritz. The Kulm Country Club adds another dimension: a historic clubhouse reimagined as a modern gathering point with dining, events and winter skating just steps away.
The sense of continuity runs throughout. Every common space speaks to history while accommodating the present, whether through comfortable seating, curated art or simply the balance of grandeur with intimacy.
THE ROOMS
The Kulm offers a range of accommodations in its 173 rooms, each category defined by both comfort and perspective. Rooms look out over either the mountains or the lake, with balconies in many that make the view part of daily life. Interiors are bright and spacious, carrying an alpine modern aesthetic softened by natural materials and warm tones.
Suites elevate the experience, offering generous living spaces and bedrooms that feel designed for more than a temporary stay. The Lakeside and Village View Suites offer spacious rooms with balconies that look out onto the local scene. Here, the sense of occasion is heightened, whether one is entertaining or simply enjoying quiet mornings with alpine light streaming across the room.
Regardless of category, all rooms and suites reflect the same ethos: space, light and thoughtful detail. They are not merely places to sleep but extensions of the alpine environment, framed with comfort in mind.
DINING
The hotel’s dining is both varied and precise, offering six restaurants under one roof and the Kulm Country Club just down the road. Each brings a distinct character, ensuring that meals at Kulm can feel as varied as nights spent exploring the town.
The Grand Restaurant carries the spirit of tradition, with chandeliers, a sweeping dining hall and menus that balance Swiss classics with international favorites. Chesa al Parc offers more local bites in a more casual setting. The Pizzeria is even more relaxed, an Italian-inspired space with rustic wood walls and ceilings that proves that alpine luxury is as comfortable with pizza as with haute cuisine. Kulm Country Club doubles as a dining venue, serving modern dishes in a space filled with energy and history, and a great place to bring the dog (in fact, most of the restaurants in this hotel are dog-friendly!) and people watch over Aperol Spritzes and bites.
For more international food, Amaru delivers Peruvian precision from Chef Claudia Canessa, a menu shaped by seasonality and Peru’s delicious tradition of street food. The Sunny Bar & Grill, one of the oldest sports bars in Switzerland, adds yet another layer: here, après-ski culture meets heritage, with music, drinks and a convivial atmosphere that extends late into the night with a modern brasserie-style menu from British Chef Tom Booton.
Afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge rounds out the rhythm of the day, an experience less about formality and more about savoring pause with cakes, finger sandwiches and sweeping lake views. Après is activated at the Altitude Bar, a swanky space with cocktails, small bites and evening piano music perfect for a nightcap. The cigar-fiends can head to the Miles Davis Smoking Lounge that drips not only with chandeliers but with the finest cigar selection around.
WELLNESS
The Kulm Spa is expansive, covering over 2,000 square meters with facilities that match its scale. Pools both indoor and out create options for every season, from summer swims against mountain backdrops to winter plunges with steam rising into alpine air. Saunas, steam baths, salt grottos, specially designed hot/cold foot paths for tired feet and relaxation zones extend the experience, while treatment rooms offer therapies that incorporate local botanicals and international techniques. And, don’t miss out on the exclusive partnership with Face Gym to experience the Ski & Sculpt treatments that promise to lift your cheekbones past the highest piste on the mountain and have other guests wondering how you got so snatched to the proverbial ski gods.
The fitness area includes modern equipment, personal training and yoga sessions, ensuring that wellness here extends beyond repose into active vitality. The spa’s design prioritizes natural light and connections to the outdoors, so even in enclosed spaces, the Alps remain a constant presence.
ACTIVITIES
The Kulm’s role as the birthplace of winter tourism means that activities are woven into its identity. In winter, skiing dominates, with direct connections to the Engadin slopes and a team ready to handle every logistical detail. Beyond skiing, guests find opportunities for ice skating, curling, horse-drawn sleigh rides and tobogganing down the famous Cresta Run, a track that has become legend in the sport of skeleton.
Summer offers a different tempo. Hiking trails begin just beyond the hotel’s doors, leading through meadows, forests and up toward alpine lakes. Golfers are well served by the nearby Kulm Golf course, one of the highest in Europe, where altitude lends a particular challenge. Mountain biking, lake swimming and sailing expand the possibilities, ensuring that the Engadin Valley is as compelling green as it is white.
EVENTS
The Kulm has long served as a backdrop for gatherings of importance, from international conferences to private celebrations. Its event spaces combine heritage architecture with modern technology, allowing for both grandeur and precision.
The ballroom provides a stage for galas and weddings, its scale matched by its ornate detailing. Smaller salons accommodate meetings or private dinners, each with its own character and outlook. The KAX Team ensures that logistics align with the significance of the occasion, whether for corporate strategy sessions or milestone anniversaries.
KIDS ACTIVITIES
While the hotel maintains an atmosphere of refinement, it has made deliberate provisions for families. The Kids Club offers supervised activities for younger guests, with spaces designed to spark creativity and play. Outdoor programs introduce children to the alpine environment, from gentle hikes to ice skating under the guidance of trained staff.
Larger suites allow for multi-generational stays, where grandparents, parents and children can share one roof without compromising comfort. Babysitting services can be arranged, providing flexibility for parents who wish to enjoy evenings or spa time with ease. The approach is clear: families are welcomed not as exceptions but as integral to the life of the hotel.
The Kulm is inseparable from the story of St. Moritz itself. Johannes Badrutt, its founder, famously invited English guests to visit in winter, promising them sunshine as abundant as in summer. His wager proved correct, and the birth of alpine winter tourism followed. Since then, the hotel has remained at the center of St. Moritz’s evolution, hosting dignitaries, celebrities and generations of travelers drawn to its unique blend of heritage and modernity.
Walking through the hotel is to trace this history, each corridor and salon carrying echoes of past eras. Yet the property has resisted the trap of nostalgia. Renovations and design updates ensure that it remains vibrant and relevant, a place where heritage is not frozen but continually refreshed.
The Kulm Hotel certainly lives up to its legacy as an institution. Yet it manages to carry that weight without stiffness. Guests encounter a property that is both grand and warm, steeped in history but alive to the present. Its suites, dining, spa and activities each form part of a larger rhythm, one that reflects both the traditions of St. Moritz and the evolving expectations of modern travelers.
For those seeking to understand alpine luxury at its most authentic, the Kulm remains a touchstone. Its walls have witnessed the birth of winter tourism, the arrival of international glamour and the continuity of a village that became a stage. Today, it welcomes each new guest into that narrative, not as a relic of the past, but as a living, thriving expression of what it means to stay in St. Moritz.
