The spectacular Suvretta House has stood out for 120 years as a real temple for lovers of winter sports. Situated only 5km from the alpine resort of St. Moritz in the middle of nature, for over a century the hotel has offered countless opportunities for its visitors to make the most of the joys of skiing during their stay. A true jewel of the Engadine region, Suvretta House is today an institution with excellence and tradition as its watchword.
St. Moritz
The alpine resort of St. Moritz is located in the Engadine valley. Renowned for decades for its gorgeous natural landscapes, its splendid luxury hotels and its ski area at the summit of Corviglia, the metropolis has quickly become one of the flagship alpine destinations in Switzerland. Synonymous with elegance, culture and tradition, St. Moritz particularly attracts winter sports enthusiasts who dream of an invigorating stay in the great outdoors. The ascent of the resort began in 1864, with the creation of the tourist office and the first thermal spa. The alpine village then quickly developed into the resort it is now, home to many luxury hotels like Suvretta House.
The Engadine, the promised land
Although St. Moritz is a popular jet-set destination, its traditions are still deeply rooted in the hearts of its inhabitants. Indeed, a Romansh legend about the beautiful Engadine region is still told today:
“When the archangel sealed the gate to paradise behind Adam and Eve, God was standing in the Garden of Eden and was filled with pity for the people, who had chosen the way of sin. He then informed his angels that Heaven should henceforth remain closed to all human beings. However, he wanted to offer them a place on earth that reminded them of their lost land, a place that should be close to heaven and filled with all things beautiful, but not perfect. Obeying this divine order, the angels duly created a paradise on earth: the Engadine.”
Flashback to 1912
Anton Sebastian Bon had a dream: to build his own luxury hotel in the Swiss mountains and transform it into a haven of peace where his visitors would be pampered and wanting of nothing. So, in 1912, Suvretta House opened for the first time. The superb building had everything of a fairy-tale castle: true to the style of the Belle Epoque, the building impressed with its two large turrets that emerge through the trees, offering a breathtaking view of the mountain panorama and the lakes of the Upper Engadine. The luxurious hotel at the time boasted 110 bathrooms and spared no expense to meet its guests’ desire for ultimate comfort.
After the death of her husband in 1915, Marie Bon, dubbed “the soul of the Suvretta”, took up the reins of the establishment alongside her son, Hans. Then came Suvretta House’s golden years: the ballroom constantly hosted spectacles and celebrations, attended by none other than Crown Prince Akihito of Japan, King Faruk of Egypt and the Shah of Persia, who were all regular guests at this time. This spectacular period ended in 1940 with the outbreak of the Second World War, forcing the establishment to close its doors until 1946. After the war, the hotel was determined to return to its former glory and underwent a complete renovation. Under the stewardship of family after family, it was in 2014 that Esther and Peter Egli took over the management of Suvretta House as the seventh joint managers.
A new era for the “Grande Dame of the mountain”
After a further renovation in 2016, the legendary Suvretta House reopened its doors, marking the beginning of a new era founded on tradition, comfort and excellence. The winter palace unveiled its 23 new rooms, along with its newly renovated other rooms, counting a total of 181 luxury rooms and suites. However, the Egli family were keen to keep particular elements that give the hotel all its charm and authenticity as they were: the mouldings, rustic wood and original parquet floors have been renovated to the delight of the guests, who today can dream of a stay in a truly royal setting while enjoying the absolute comfort of a five-star hotel in Switzerland.
Upon entering the Hall, the tradition and grandeur of days gone by instantly take you back to 1912. People come here for a moment of relaxation by the fire while enjoying the exceptional view of the Engadine Mountains.
The sumptuous room of the Grand Restaurant also immerses us in the spirit of the 1920s with its superb traditional solid oak pillars. Here you can savour the delectable dishes cooked by chef Fabrizio Zanetti (14 Gault Millau points) in cosy, elegant surroundings. For those after a less formal experience, Le Suvretta Stube also offers traditional Grison dishes interpreted in a new and refreshing way. To make the evening stretch into the night, head to Anton’s Bar, a chic and relaxed bar that provides live music before or after dinner.
If you want to reach for the sky, Chasselas (1936 metres above sea level) is a great place to relax at lunchtime, while evening guests can expect a more refined experience. Trutz (2211 metres), is a popular haunt for hikers and skiers. Well known for its classic Grison barley soup, lentil dishes and polenta with gorgonzola, the restaurant also delights the taste buds of its customers with its delicious traditional pancakes and the classic Grison Apfelstrudel.
When it comes to the spa, Suvretta House has a 1700m2 health, fitness and well-being area. An indoor 25m swimming pool with a magnificent panoramic view of the Engadine countryside, as well as an outdoor hot tub, promise a moment of timeless relaxation. There is also a sauna with different facilities, as well as various treatments and massages.
Suvretta and winter sports
In 1859, the first skiers descended the slopes of the mountains of St. Moritz equipped with simple wooden slats on their feet. Skiing was born in the Engadine. In 1925, the first Swiss ski school was founded. Today, it is still the main and most popular activity of the alpine resort.
The Bon family really understood the importance of this winter sport to their hotel’s guests and therefore decided to make Suvretta House a pioneer in skiing. In 1935, the very first Suvretta Randolins ski lift was unveiled in St. Moritz. Over the following years, the Bon family’s successors continued to develop this activity by developing facilities closer and closer to the hotel, until it became the first and only “ski-in, ski-out” hotel in St. Moritz. Ski lifts built at the gates of the hotel still allow guests direct access to the Corviglia ski area to enjoy the joys of skiing in a privileged way. In the same vein, the hotel has its own ski school, allowing its guests to have private lessons and to improve their skills during their stay. This service is particularly appreciated by hotel regulars, who can also store their equipment at the hotel, ready for their visit in the following year.
And for those who are not into board sports, the hotel offers other winter activities such as cross-country skiing, hiking, curling or skating on the hotel’s magnificent private ice rink.
In summer, the Engadine also offers various leisure activities: hiking trails, golf courses, sailing, cycling, climbing, tennis, jogging, kite flying and windsurfing are available to hotel guests. Whatever the season, the Engadine is a destination for everyone!
Often considered “a home away from home” by its visitors, Suvretta House has maintained its status and reputation for over a century and today strives to retain its traditional and ancestral values, while continuously enhancing the quality of service provided. So, if you dream of a truly magical stay, the Winter Palace in St. Moritz is the place to be.
Find all the winter offers that combine a stay at the hotel and winter sports on the hotel’s website:https://suvrettahouse.ch/en/rooms/prices-packages/#packages
… As well as all the hotel’s information: https://suvrettahouse.ch/en/startpage-winter/
