St. Moritz
“Located in the Engadin Valley to the southeast of Zurich on the borders of Italy and Austria, this is one of Europe’s most chic summer and winter resorts. Other nearby resorts include Davos and Klosters; Celerina, only fifteen minutes away, is known as Milano Due because of the many Italians who come up from the city for the weekend. St. Moritz is blessed with some of the best weather among all of the ski resorts, with an average of 322 days of sunshine each year. The town lies along the shore of a large lake, and is nestled at the base of Piz Nair, where the main ski slopes are located. Its sunny location has spared St. Moritz from many of the avalanche problems that confronted surrounding regions in recent years.
The Palace Hotel is in the center of the town both physically and socially. Luggage checked in New York on Swiss or American Airlines will miraculously be spirited from the train to your hotel room by the Palace’s accommodating staff (see below). The hotel has a commanding view of the lake and a spa with a pool that is cleaned by an ozone system (rather than chlorine) and is the favored gathering spot apres-ski. It is located near world-class shops and wonderful restaurants. The ladies may delight in the idea that Hermes, Prada, Versace and Valentino all have a significant retail presence there. Hanselmann’s (833-3864), a confectionery shop in the heart of town, serves the best hot chocolate and freshly squeezed blood orange juice imaginable.”
From a long-time regular visitor from N.Y.
