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Ski Hotel · £££££
Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
St. Moritz, Switzerland — Europe
9.1Editorial score
Editorial research. Profiled through in-depth editorial research; Browntravels has not yet stayed at this property. How we review
The 1856 birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, where Switzerland's first electric light still glows over Engadin panoramas, the Cresta Run and a superb spa.
Winter tourism in the Alps was effectively invented at the Kulm: in a famous wager of 1864, hotelier Johannes Badrutt persuaded sceptical English summer guests to return in winter, and the season that followed changed mountain travel forever. The hotel, founded in 1856, also switched on Switzerland's first electric light in 1878, and its position above the frozen lake gives it the widest Engadin panorama in St. Moritz.
Despite the history, the Kulm feels quietly patrician rather than showy—a counterpoint to the town's flashier addresses. Rooms range from classic Alpine-elegant to contemporary, most facing the lake and the peaks beyond, and the hotel's grounds include its own park, the Olympic ice pavilion restored by Norman Foster, and deep connections to the Cresta Run tobogganing tradition that begins virtually at its door.
Dining moves from the grand restaurant's formal evenings to Alpine specialities and the celebrated seasonal pop-ups of the town's social calendar, while the Kulm Spa is among the Alps' best: panoramic indoor pool, saunas and treatments with the Engadin light pouring in. Summer brings golf, hiking and lake sports, making this rare among St. Moritz grandes dames—a true two-season house.
Why stay here
- The historic birthplace of Alpine winter tourism
- Panoramic position above the lake with the Engadin spread below
- A superb spa with panoramic pool and serious wellness facilities
- Norman Foster's restored ice pavilion and Cresta Run heritage on the doorstep
Things to consider
- St. Moritz's glamour scene peaks in short, expensive winter weeks
- The town centre's shops and nightlife are a short uphill walk away
Rooms & Suites
Around 160 rooms and suites, from classic Alpine elegance to contemporary design, most with lake and mountain views across the Engadin valley.
Dining
A grand main restaurant, Alpine and Italian options, the historic ice-pavilion eatery and the town's liveliest seasonal dining events.
Spa & Wellness
The Kulm Spa with panoramic indoor pool, saunas, steam baths and Alpine treatments overlooking the frozen lake in winter.
The Browntravels Verdict
Where the Alpine winter began—stay for history, the Engadin panorama and one of the mountains' finest spas.
Last updated 5 August 2026
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Live rates and availability for Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and nearby stays — or book directly with the hotel.
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