4 reviews of Hotel Kulm in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Reviewed 8 Jan 2015
This place isn't one of those sleek, chic pantheons of minimalist style. Far from it. Instead, it is wonderfully cosy in a way that only family-run, family-friendly Swiss hotels can be. This is a hotel where you can take your granny, your mother and your toddler, and everyone will be happy. It's not small (there are 173 rooms, the best overlooking the valley - but ask them to turn down the sauna-level central heating), and yet there's something about the thick curtains and plush carpets that's just right. It has all the trimmings: five restaurants, including classic French and an Italian pizzeria, and staff who jump at the drop of a hat but in an understated way. And, of course, there's the skiing. With instant access to the start of the Cresta Run, plus two peaks, 350km of pistes and 180km of Nordic ski trails, the Engadine Valley offers some of the best mountain action in Switzerland.
(From: Condé Nast Traveller December 2014, "Europe's best ski spas", 09/12/14, Fiona Duncan, Alex Gorton, Mary Lussiana)
Reviewed 7 Jan 2015
This is the mothership, the original Alpine grande dame. The story goes that in 1864 local hotelier Johannes Badrutt bet his British summer guests that they’d love St Moritz in winter; if not, he’d cover the cost of their holiday. He won the bet and created winter tourism. Clever chap. His original hotel has bags of history and buckets of character ― but somehow manages not to be stuffy (do dress up for dinner in Le Grand restaurant, though, if you don’t want to feel like a knob). Top draw is the whacking great spa ―the fabulous outdoor pool has bubbling waterbeds overlooking the lake.
(From: Tatler Volume 310 Number 2, Tatler Travel, February 2015)
Reviewed 27 Nov 2014
We love a bit of pedigree, and this hotel has it by the snow-dusted, mink-fringed bucketload. Dating back to 1864, this grande dame has upped the ante with a spanking-new 21-square-foot spa overlooking the twinkling resort and the Engadine Valley. The spa is built from pale-grey granite, white spruce and larch wood (said to lower blood pressure), and its simple, modern look, with a whiff of the clinical, could not be more different to the rest of the hotel’s super-trad decor. High points are a steamy outdoor infinity pool overlooking Lake Moritz, an indoor pool with underwater music, and top-notch personal coaching in the Technogym-equipped fitness room. Winter activities? Well, the Kulm claims to have INVENTED skiing holidays, so there’s some serious piste action, plus ice-skating on the lake. Summer brings hiking and mountain biking, wild swimming, sailing and kitesurfing. When you’re fit to drop, make a beeline for the signature 80-minute full-body Kulm massage – a catch-all combination of hot basalt stones, reflexology and a head massage (read: snoozeathon). Some of the 12 treatment rooms face the lake, as does the private daytime spa suite with its double bed, sauna and steam room. In a word? Idyllic.
From: Tatler Spa Guide 2014
Reviewed 29 Dec 2013
Really good food and drinks, we liked the breakfast and the dinner was great too, we ate in the pizzeria and also the other restaurant which had Michelin style food. The staff were friendly and our room was very spacious. Our stay was good all round, really like the skiing here, lots of good photo opportunities and the snow was ok considering it was mid/early December. The good thing about coming this time of year is that it was nice and festive in the build up to Christmas. We got chatting to some people in the Whisky Bar and were invited to try the Cresta run which is a toboggan run where the speed goes up to 80mph! The free transfer service between the hotel and the lifts was useful. We are already looking to book the same hotel again. Without a doubt a 5 SNO-flake rating. Absolutely fantastic holiday.