Badrutt's Palace Hotel St. Moritz
switzerland, switzerland · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Badrutt's Palace is the honeymoon equivalent of wearing black tie to breakfast — gloriously over-the-top, and utterly unapologetic. Since 1896 the turreted neo-Gothic silhouette has loomed over Lake St. Moritz like a fairytale, and the hotel still attracts the same cocktail of royalty, industrialists and old-money romantics it always has. For couples, it delivers an experience almost impossible to replicate elsewhere: winter polo on the frozen lake visible from your suite, a ride down the Cresta Run if you're brave, dinner at Chesa Veglia (the world's oldest alpine farmhouse restaurant, owned by the Palace since 1936), and dancing at the King's Club until sunrise. It isn't cheap, it isn't subtle, and in February it feels like the glamorous theatre of a bygone era that somehow still has a pulse. If you want hushed minimalism, book The Alpina Gstaad instead. If you want pageantry, heritage and a view of the Engadine that still takes your breath away, this is the one.
- ✓Trust couples-verified reviews
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
93/100
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Request a Junior Suite Tower — the corner suites in the iconic neo-Gothic tower have lake-facing turret windows, wood-paneled sitting rooms, and some of the most photographed views in the Engadine. Ask specifically for a south-facing tower room so your morning coffee comes with sunlight on the frozen lake. If budget allows, the Hans Badrutt Suite (200 m² with private terrace over the lake) is the honeymoon benchmark.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $2,450/nt) | $17,150 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $25,725 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $600 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $3,430 |
| Total estimated | $49,605 |
Book Your Stay
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Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival & Le Grand Hall ritual
Transfer from Zurich via the scenic Glacier/Bernina route (roughly 3.5 hours by private car). Settle into your tower suite, then descend for the Palace's century-old 5pm tea ritual in Le Grand Hall — a live pianist, Champagne if you prefer, and the hotel's most theatrical public room. Dinner at Le Restaurant, still one of the grand hotel dining rooms of the Alps.
Corviglia funicular & on-mountain lunch
Take the funicular from the village up to Corviglia. Ski or walk the groomed winter-hiking paths; lunch at El Paradiso, the cliff-top mountain restaurant looking across to Piz Nair. Return in time for a couples' signature treatment at the Palace Wellness spa, then a late supper at Chesa Veglia's Patrizier Stuben.
White Turf or Winter Polo on the lake
Time your stay for a February weekend and you'll be able to walk out to watch White Turf horse racing or the Snow Polo World Cup played on the frozen lake directly below the hotel. Private Palace table in the VIP tent. Aperitif at the Renaissance Bar afterwards — a stained-glass 19th-century room rebuilt from a Venetian palazzo.
Cresta Run & long Engadine lunch
Arrange a morning ride down the Cresta Run (open to guests of the Palace via the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club — skeleton sled, 1,212 metres, and yes, it's as fast as it looks). Recover with a long truffle lunch at Chesa Veglia, then an afternoon doing absolutely nothing in the Palace Wellness pool looking up at Piz Nair.
Bernina Express day
Drive or ride the red Bernina Express south towards Tirano, crossing the Brusio spiral viaduct. Stop in Poschiavo for lunch, then back in time for pre-dinner drinks at the hotel's Cigar Lounge and dinner at IGNIV by Andreas Caminada — the Palace's Michelin-starred sharing-concept restaurant.
Spa day + King's Club nightcap
A full day at the Palace Wellness: 2,800 m² of thermal pools, steam rooms and treatment suites. Book the 120-minute Signature Palace Ritual together. Dress for the King's Club — the hotel's legendary nightclub running since the 1960s — and toast your last night with vintage Champagne.
Morning walk & slow departure
Walk the frozen lake path one more time (or take the cable car up to Muottas Muragl for a coffee with the whole Engadine valley below you). Late checkout, then the Palace's private driver back to Zurich in time for an evening flight.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Prices roughly double during the February high season (White Turf, Snow Polo, Chinese New Year). Book mid-January or late March for half the rate and the same snow.
The Palace is proudly formal — jacket required in Le Grand Hall and Le Restaurant after 7pm, so pack accordingly. Couples looking for a barefoot, informal vibe should consider Andermatt or Gstaad instead.
Not adults-only; during school holidays there is a lively (and supervised) kids' program. Request a room in the original 1896 wing away from the family corridors if you want quiet.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon booking enquiry — Badrutt's Palace, late January 2027 Hello Palace team, We're planning our honeymoon and Badrutt's Palace is at the top of our list. We'd love your help with the following: - Dates: 7 nights, late January / early February 2027 (flexible by a few days for best rate) - Occasion: honeymoon (any in-room welcome you usually arrange would be very appreciated) - Room: Junior Suite Tower, south-facing toward the lake, highest floor available — newly renovated wing if possible - Dining: we'd like to book Chesa Veglia (Patrizier Stuben) once, IGNIV once, and Le Restaurant on our first night — jacket required, understood - Spa: please reserve the Signature Couples Ritual for our second afternoon - Experiences: interested in a Cresta Run introduction (both of us, no back issues), one day of ski guiding on Corviglia, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride one evening - Arrivals: please arrange your private car from Zurich Airport both ways Could you also share current honeymoon packages, cancellation terms, and whether late checkout on our final day is possible? Thank you, [Names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is it better in winter or summer for honeymooners?
Winter delivers the iconic postcard — lake frozen, polo ponies, Cresta Run, evening tea by the fire. Summer is quieter and greener, with hiking, sailing on the lake and lower rates, but you lose about 70% of the theatre the Palace is known for. For a first visit, aim for late January to mid-February.
How do we get there from Zurich?
The Palace's own car service does door-to-door in about 3 hours 15 minutes. The romantic alternative is the train to Chur and the Bernina/Glacier Express onwards — roughly 4 hours but arguably the most scenic rail ride in Europe. The hotel will coordinate luggage forwarding.
Do we need to ski to enjoy the Palace?
Not at all. Non-skiing couples use the hotel as a base for long lunches at El Paradiso, winter walks on groomed paths, horse-drawn sleigh rides, the Bernina Express, and the spa. Many guests never put on skis the entire stay.
Is the Cresta Run really open to guests?
Yes — the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club runs guest rides from late December to late February, and the Palace concierge handles introductions. You'll get a briefing, gear, and a Junior ride (from Junction, not Top) on your first attempt. Minimum age 16, not advisable if you have back issues.
What's the spa situation for couples?
Palace Wellness covers 2,800 m² with indoor pool, couples' suites, hammam, saunas and a dedicated relaxation deck. Book the Signature Couples Ritual — 120 minutes, private suite, their own Champagne lounge after. Spa is included for guests; treatments and private suites are extra.
Are the rooms recently renovated?
The Palace has been rolling a room-by-room renovation program through the 2020s, preserving the original detailing while modernizing bathrooms and tech. If you want the most recently refurbished rooms ask for the renovated Tower Junior Suites — specify 'newly renovated 2024/2025 wing' on booking.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
