This article was first published online on 18th September 2020 in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, UK https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/travel/hotel-review-badrutts-palace-hotel-in-st-moritz-switzerland/)
Showing posts with label BADRUTT'S PALACE HOTEL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BADRUTT'S PALACE HOTEL. Show all posts
Friday, September 18, 2020
Friday, October 5, 2018
Spa Time in Switzerland
As one of the world’s
premier spa destinations, Switzerland is a treasure trove of wellness
sanctuaries. Raul Dias introduces
you to a luxurious trio of the country’s best spas!
By Raul Dias
Topping the list for
its serene beauty and superb quality-of-life, Switzerland places a great
premium on wellness and health. No surprise then, that these three spa havens
that we’ve curated, are the perfect combination of the legendary Swiss
hospitality, European wellness practices and modern therapies. All this, in
settings that are both luxurious and soothing at the same time!
Palace
Wellness Spa at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. Moritz
Voted Switzerland’s Best Hotel Spa at the World Spa Awards 2017, the legendary Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s spa is an oasis of tranquility and rejuvenation. Aptly called the Palace Wellness Spa, the subterranean, cave-like spa is a mammoth 1,700 square meters of luxury with the oval indoor pool at its very core. The spa has a treatment center with 10 treatment rooms, two private spa-suites, an in-house hairdressing salon, Solarium, four massage treatment rooms and additional beauty treatment rooms. In the Wet Zone are several saunas, steam baths, multi-sensory showers and quiet rooms with breathtaking views of the St. Moritz Alps.
Some of the most popular treatments at the spa are their two two-day packages called The Morning After and The Burn Off. While the former focuses on detoxing the system and then regenerating it through a beneficial scalp and body massage complete with facial, The Burn Off package is a literal fat burner. A 70-minute workout packs a punch at the calories followed by an Alpine body wrap to firm and tone the body.
Voted Switzerland’s Best Hotel Spa at the World Spa Awards 2017, the legendary Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s spa is an oasis of tranquility and rejuvenation. Aptly called the Palace Wellness Spa, the subterranean, cave-like spa is a mammoth 1,700 square meters of luxury with the oval indoor pool at its very core. The spa has a treatment center with 10 treatment rooms, two private spa-suites, an in-house hairdressing salon, Solarium, four massage treatment rooms and additional beauty treatment rooms. In the Wet Zone are several saunas, steam baths, multi-sensory showers and quiet rooms with breathtaking views of the St. Moritz Alps.
Some of the most popular treatments at the spa are their two two-day packages called The Morning After and The Burn Off. While the former focuses on detoxing the system and then regenerating it through a beneficial scalp and body massage complete with facial, The Burn Off package is a literal fat burner. A 70-minute workout packs a punch at the calories followed by an Alpine body wrap to firm and tone the body.
Eden
Roc Spa at Hotel Eden Roc, Ascona
Gently perched on the shoreline of Lake Maggiore that is shared by Italy and the Italian-speaking Ticino Canton of Switzerland, the mighty Hotel Eden Roc is luxury and comfort at its very best. At the core of this Swiss brand of hospitality is the Eden Roc Spa, a 2,000 square meter wellness oasis reflective of the unique environment surrounding the lake.
As inspiration for its furnishing, Ascona interior designer Carlo Rampazzi took the incomparable Ticino floral environment. Flowers are the dominant theme of the Eden Roc Spa. They are intended to convey the guest a feeling of springtime—whatever the time of year.
In addition to the two indoor and outdoor pools, the water world—shimmering in the colours of Lake Maggiore from blue to gray—offers guests a hydropool with various whirlpool recliners in which to relax: the Kneipp path is constructed out of stones from the nearby Maggia River. In addition, the Eden Roc Spa offers a spacious sauna world with steam bath, sanarium, Finnish sauna and an exclusive private area for ladies as well as a fitness center with state-of-the-art Technogym machines and a hairdresser.
Gently perched on the shoreline of Lake Maggiore that is shared by Italy and the Italian-speaking Ticino Canton of Switzerland, the mighty Hotel Eden Roc is luxury and comfort at its very best. At the core of this Swiss brand of hospitality is the Eden Roc Spa, a 2,000 square meter wellness oasis reflective of the unique environment surrounding the lake.
As inspiration for its furnishing, Ascona interior designer Carlo Rampazzi took the incomparable Ticino floral environment. Flowers are the dominant theme of the Eden Roc Spa. They are intended to convey the guest a feeling of springtime—whatever the time of year.
In addition to the two indoor and outdoor pools, the water world—shimmering in the colours of Lake Maggiore from blue to gray—offers guests a hydropool with various whirlpool recliners in which to relax: the Kneipp path is constructed out of stones from the nearby Maggia River. In addition, the Eden Roc Spa offers a spacious sauna world with steam bath, sanarium, Finnish sauna and an exclusive private area for ladies as well as a fitness center with state-of-the-art Technogym machines and a hairdresser.
The
DOT.Spa at Kurhaus Cademario Hotel
& Spa, Cademario
“Location, location, location,” that was the motto for the stunning Kurhaus Cademario Hotel & Spa situated in Cademario above Lugano in Switzerland’s Canton of Ticino. At 850 meters above sea level, it remains the highest lying wellness hotel and spa in sunny Ticino. The center was founded in 1914 by Dr. Adolf Keller who focused on “physical and psychological well-being”.
The 2,200 square meter DOT.Spa’s interior design mirrors four of the five geomantic elements: water—represented by spring water and natural cascades, wood—through the birch trees and woods that surround the spa. Earth is present through the interior use of stone, Metal is present in the natural properties found in the natural spring water. This Wellness Oasis is divided into different zones, both outside and indoors where the guest is pampered with medical as well as aesthetic treatments in the 10 sun-filled treatment rooms. From the indoor pool one can move to the outdoor section with its whirlpool elements and at the same time enjoy the view of the lake and mountains.
Interestingly, The DOT.Spa was one of the first in Switzerland to offer Hydro Colon Therapy, which purges and regenerates the entire body. In the grotto-like pool section, one can relax in the salt-water baths filled with Cademario spring water. A waterfall and a gush shower round off the Sole baths offerings. In the Sauna zone everyone finds their fit: From a Turkish-style Hamam to Salt Tepidarium to the Finnish and Bio Sauna, everything is available. Perfect bliss, isn’t it?
“Location, location, location,” that was the motto for the stunning Kurhaus Cademario Hotel & Spa situated in Cademario above Lugano in Switzerland’s Canton of Ticino. At 850 meters above sea level, it remains the highest lying wellness hotel and spa in sunny Ticino. The center was founded in 1914 by Dr. Adolf Keller who focused on “physical and psychological well-being”.
The 2,200 square meter DOT.Spa’s interior design mirrors four of the five geomantic elements: water—represented by spring water and natural cascades, wood—through the birch trees and woods that surround the spa. Earth is present through the interior use of stone, Metal is present in the natural properties found in the natural spring water. This Wellness Oasis is divided into different zones, both outside and indoors where the guest is pampered with medical as well as aesthetic treatments in the 10 sun-filled treatment rooms. From the indoor pool one can move to the outdoor section with its whirlpool elements and at the same time enjoy the view of the lake and mountains.
Interestingly, The DOT.Spa was one of the first in Switzerland to offer Hydro Colon Therapy, which purges and regenerates the entire body. In the grotto-like pool section, one can relax in the salt-water baths filled with Cademario spring water. A waterfall and a gush shower round off the Sole baths offerings. In the Sauna zone everyone finds their fit: From a Turkish-style Hamam to Salt Tepidarium to the Finnish and Bio Sauna, everything is available. Perfect bliss, isn’t it?
FACT
FILE
Getting There
There are daily direct flights from India to Zurich, Switzerland on world-class airlines such as Swiss International Airlines. From Zurich, the extensive network of Swiss Railways gets you just about anywhere in luxury and comfort. Visit www.swiss.com for more information.
Getting There
There are daily direct flights from India to Zurich, Switzerland on world-class airlines such as Swiss International Airlines. From Zurich, the extensive network of Swiss Railways gets you just about anywhere in luxury and comfort. Visit www.swiss.com for more information.
When
to Visit
A great all-year-round destination, Switzerland is equally wonderful in the spring and summer months from May to September—when one can enjoy hiking in the lush hills and mountains—as it is in winter from December to March when the ski season transforms the country into a snow-covered winter wonderland. Visit www.swissinfo.ch for more information.
A great all-year-round destination, Switzerland is equally wonderful in the spring and summer months from May to September—when one can enjoy hiking in the lush hills and mountains—as it is in winter from December to March when the ski season transforms the country into a snow-covered winter wonderland. Visit www.swissinfo.ch for more information.
Accommodation
All three of the spas on this list are part of some of the best luxury hotels in the country that boast of stunning vistas, unrivalled beauty, attentive service and overall decadence:
* The Badrutt’s
Palace Hotel and Spa, St. Moritz (www.badruttspalace.com)All three of the spas on this list are part of some of the best luxury hotels in the country that boast of stunning vistas, unrivalled beauty, attentive service and overall decadence:
* Hotel Eden Roc, Ascona (www.edenroc.ch)
* Kurhaus Cademario Hotel & Spa, Cademario (www.kurhauscademario.com)
(An edited version of this article appeared in the 5th October 2018 issue of the Afternoon Despatch & Courier newspaper, India on pages 14 & 15. http://www.afternoondc.in/48-hrs/spa-time-in-switzerland/article_232811)
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Jet-Set…Go!
Oozing unbridled glamour and hedonistic
sophistication, St. Moritz with its stunning hotels, placid lake and gentle
hiking trails is Switzerland’s ultimate holiday destination of the jet-set. On
a recent trip there, Raul Dias got a
taste of this legendary high-life
By Raul Dias
Do pardon the header to
this piece that I’ve shamelessly ‘pinched’ from the lines of one of my
favourite songs of all time—Peter Sarstedt’s 1969 hit single Where Do You Go to My Lovely. But you
see, a place like St. Moritz, Switzerland does makes us do things we’d normally
never do! Yes, even as I write this piece today, Sarstedt’s lyrics “and when the snow falls you’re found in St.
Moritz, with the others of the jet set. And you sip your Napoleon brandy, but
you never get your lips wet, no you don’t” ring in my ears…
Glam with a Capital ‘G’!
Cut to a few weeks ago, when I found myself fresh off a train from Zurich, deposited at the tiny, but functional St. Moritz train station. Waiting for me outside was a souped-up jet black 1960s Rolls-Royce Phantom, that my chauffeur told me was once owned by none other than Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of England. And just like that my initiation into the charms and glamour of St. Moritz had begun and I hadn’t even left the train station.
My destination? The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel that has been synonymous with glamour, the quintessence of refined luxury and understated, yet very present, glitz for the last 122 years since opening in 1896. Over the years, the hotel has always been ‘the place to be’ for those seeking the ultimate mountain holiday experience. But more on this stunning hotel later, first a little bit on its host town.
As the birthplace of modern winter tourism that began in 1864, St. Moritz nestled cozily in Switzerland’s Engadin valley in the Canton of Graubünden, has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Nevertheless, St. Moritz first became famous thanks to its mineral springs, which were discovered 3,000 years ago and established the lake-side town as a summer spa resort early on.
Interestingly, St. Moritz’s history is peppered with a whole list of ‘firsts’ showing us how ahead of its times it really was. For example, the first electric light went on at Christmastime in 1878, the first golf tournament in the Alps took place here, in 1889 and one of the first ski lifts in Switzerland began running in 1935. The town even has its own leaning tower, a jaunty remnant of the Mauritius Church from around 1500.
Today, glamour-seekers from all over the world descend upon St. Mortiz with a vengeance, hungry for the modern Alpine lifestyle, characterised by top-class restaurants that can satisfy gourmet demands and hotels that set standards in every category.
Glam with a Capital ‘G’!
Cut to a few weeks ago, when I found myself fresh off a train from Zurich, deposited at the tiny, but functional St. Moritz train station. Waiting for me outside was a souped-up jet black 1960s Rolls-Royce Phantom, that my chauffeur told me was once owned by none other than Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of England. And just like that my initiation into the charms and glamour of St. Moritz had begun and I hadn’t even left the train station.
My destination? The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel that has been synonymous with glamour, the quintessence of refined luxury and understated, yet very present, glitz for the last 122 years since opening in 1896. Over the years, the hotel has always been ‘the place to be’ for those seeking the ultimate mountain holiday experience. But more on this stunning hotel later, first a little bit on its host town.
As the birthplace of modern winter tourism that began in 1864, St. Moritz nestled cozily in Switzerland’s Engadin valley in the Canton of Graubünden, has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Nevertheless, St. Moritz first became famous thanks to its mineral springs, which were discovered 3,000 years ago and established the lake-side town as a summer spa resort early on.
Interestingly, St. Moritz’s history is peppered with a whole list of ‘firsts’ showing us how ahead of its times it really was. For example, the first electric light went on at Christmastime in 1878, the first golf tournament in the Alps took place here, in 1889 and one of the first ski lifts in Switzerland began running in 1935. The town even has its own leaning tower, a jaunty remnant of the Mauritius Church from around 1500.
Today, glamour-seekers from all over the world descend upon St. Mortiz with a vengeance, hungry for the modern Alpine lifestyle, characterised by top-class restaurants that can satisfy gourmet demands and hotels that set standards in every category.
Inspiration Galore
And speaking of hotels, The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel which was my home for the next two nights overlooks the mirror-like surfaced Lake St. Moritz that functions as the town square in winter when it forms a layer of ice so thick that even horse racing can take place over it! The hotel itself is an oasis of luxury and understated elegance with its 157 rooms and suites all done up in an old-world style, all affording breathtaking views of the St. Moritz Alps.
Over the two days, I discovered my favourite place in the hotel—Le Grand Hall: The legendary lobby of the hotel with its stunning views, extravagant décor and fantastic architecture is known affectionately as the “living room of St. Moritz”. In fact, it was sitting here that the famous British film director Alfred Hitchcock first thought of creating a film script about birds, when he saw a large flock of mountain birds soaring high over the hotel into the blue Engadin sky. The result, the 1963 horror classic The Birds. Once can even stay at the hotel’s Hitchcock Suite made in honour of the man that is full of charm and simply oozes history.
And speaking of hotels, The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel which was my home for the next two nights overlooks the mirror-like surfaced Lake St. Moritz that functions as the town square in winter when it forms a layer of ice so thick that even horse racing can take place over it! The hotel itself is an oasis of luxury and understated elegance with its 157 rooms and suites all done up in an old-world style, all affording breathtaking views of the St. Moritz Alps.
Over the two days, I discovered my favourite place in the hotel—Le Grand Hall: The legendary lobby of the hotel with its stunning views, extravagant décor and fantastic architecture is known affectionately as the “living room of St. Moritz”. In fact, it was sitting here that the famous British film director Alfred Hitchcock first thought of creating a film script about birds, when he saw a large flock of mountain birds soaring high over the hotel into the blue Engadin sky. The result, the 1963 horror classic The Birds. Once can even stay at the hotel’s Hitchcock Suite made in honour of the man that is full of charm and simply oozes history.
Nature’s Bounty
Eager to explore more of this region, on my last day in St. Moritz, I hit the mountains with a vengeance, ready to take on the two-hour long Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard hike. A short, 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel and I was deposited at the Punt Muragl funicular station. The bright red funicular took no more than seven minutes to take me up to Muottas Muragl which was where my hike’s path began. Here is where one can find the first plus-energy hotel in the Alps, the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl and a special little path called Senda d’Inspiraziun.
My path was different, however. Not particularly challenging, but a tad winded by the sudden change in altitude, my hike started off with me trying my best to acclimatize, amidst a bit of huffing and puffing. Soon the black ice (it was spring, after all) covered path seemed an easy stroll and off I went, taking in the fresh Alpine air my city-weary lungs so desperately sought out.
And just when I was beginning to enjoy every second of the hike, a signboard let me know that my final destination—the alp hut Languard was just behind the bend. A hearty lunch of local specialties like bündner soup, salsiz (meat), home-made pizzoccheri and lunganighetta, ending with the region’s specialty, the Engadin nutcake made me so sluggish that I let go of the idea of the 30-minte hike downhill. I chose instead to take the 5-minute chairlift ride to the tiny town of Pontresina below where I checked into the legendary chocolate shot of Gianottis for a bit of theobromine-induced gratification as a farewell gesture to this glam region.
“I could used to this life!” my mind kept repeating on a loop…that is, until reality took over!
Eager to explore more of this region, on my last day in St. Moritz, I hit the mountains with a vengeance, ready to take on the two-hour long Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard hike. A short, 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel and I was deposited at the Punt Muragl funicular station. The bright red funicular took no more than seven minutes to take me up to Muottas Muragl which was where my hike’s path began. Here is where one can find the first plus-energy hotel in the Alps, the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl and a special little path called Senda d’Inspiraziun.
My path was different, however. Not particularly challenging, but a tad winded by the sudden change in altitude, my hike started off with me trying my best to acclimatize, amidst a bit of huffing and puffing. Soon the black ice (it was spring, after all) covered path seemed an easy stroll and off I went, taking in the fresh Alpine air my city-weary lungs so desperately sought out.
And just when I was beginning to enjoy every second of the hike, a signboard let me know that my final destination—the alp hut Languard was just behind the bend. A hearty lunch of local specialties like bündner soup, salsiz (meat), home-made pizzoccheri and lunganighetta, ending with the region’s specialty, the Engadin nutcake made me so sluggish that I let go of the idea of the 30-minte hike downhill. I chose instead to take the 5-minute chairlift ride to the tiny town of Pontresina below where I checked into the legendary chocolate shot of Gianottis for a bit of theobromine-induced gratification as a farewell gesture to this glam region.
“I could used to this life!” my mind kept repeating on a loop…that is, until reality took over!
FACT
FILE
Getting There
There are daily direct flights from India to Zurich, Switzerland on world-class airlines such as Swiss International Airlines. From Zurich, the picturesque Glacier Express train is the best way to get to St. Moritz in style and luxury in under three hours. Visit www.swiss.com and www.glacierexpress.ch for more information.
Getting There
There are daily direct flights from India to Zurich, Switzerland on world-class airlines such as Swiss International Airlines. From Zurich, the picturesque Glacier Express train is the best way to get to St. Moritz in style and luxury in under three hours. Visit www.swiss.com and www.glacierexpress.ch for more information.
When
to Visit
A great all-year-round destination, St. Moritz is equally wonderful in the spring and summer months from May to September—when one can enjoy hiking in the surrounding hills and mountains—as it is in winter from December to March when the ski season transforms the town into a snow-covered winter wonderland. Visit www.swissinfo.ch for more information.
A great all-year-round destination, St. Moritz is equally wonderful in the spring and summer months from May to September—when one can enjoy hiking in the surrounding hills and mountains—as it is in winter from December to March when the ski season transforms the town into a snow-covered winter wonderland. Visit www.swissinfo.ch for more information.
Accommodation
Very few hotels can boast of the stunning vistas, unrivalled beauty, attentive service and overall decadence that a grand hotel like The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel can offer. Thus, making this legendary hotel your ultimate choice of residence when in St. Moritz. Visit www.badruttspalace.com for more information.
Very few hotels can boast of the stunning vistas, unrivalled beauty, attentive service and overall decadence that a grand hotel like The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel can offer. Thus, making this legendary hotel your ultimate choice of residence when in St. Moritz. Visit www.badruttspalace.com for more information.
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the 26th August 2018 issue of The Free Press Journal newspaper's Weekend section on page 3 http://www.freepressjournal.in/travel/st-moritz-switzerlands-ultimate-holiday-destination-of-the-jet-set/1342822)
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