Suvretta House

Removed from St. Moritz Town –at the bottom of the Suvretta slope – this hotel has the reputation for being the destination's most exclusive, especially during the winter season when it's the only ski in/ski-out property, plus gorgeously renovated rooms and suites.

• The ski in/ski out access, as well as the hotel’s own ski school
• The massive ski shop complete with a cozy, small fire pit
• The hotel's excellent mountain-side restaurants like Trutz and Chamanna

The exclusive team of ski instructors of the Suvretta House's private ski school are clad in teal uniforms designed by Prada; there's a ski lift some 100 meters from the entrance; and the massive ski room has 380 heated storage cupboards. In short: Suvretta House is the place to stay for comfort-minded skiers, especially families with children who can learn on the easy slopes directly behind the hotel.

The imposing building, with its two slender, green turrets and stone facade was opened as a hotel in 1912 by the Bon family, a competitor of the famous Badrutt clan (who opened the Kulm and Palace). The exterior's Belle Epoque grandeur continues inside as well, particularly in the common spaces on the ground floor. The massive lobby lounge, with dark-wood-paneled fireplaces, antiques paintings and soaring vaulted ceilings has incredible views towards Silvaplana and the lakes in the distance. Unlike the so-called "living room" in Badrutt's Palace, which gets mobbed due to its proximity in town, the lounge at the Suvretta draws a more subdued clientele.

The atmosphere is decidedly old-world: men are expected to wear jacket and tie in the lobby and Grand Restaurant after 7 p.m.; there are several glass vitrines throughout the public spaces that display wares of St. Moritz's fashion houses; and a sign across from the concierge desk announces what's on the menu in the hotel's different restaurants. More modern and forward-thinking are such spaces as the ambitious Kid's Club, complete with its own dining room where children are offered a special menu in a teddy bear-clad setting every evening at 5:30pm. Also ambitious is the state-of-the-art ski room and shop, outfitted with such winning design details as a glass-enclosed fire pit. There's also a beautiful wellness center, with a large indoor pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi with sweeping views.

The hotel's 181 rooms and suites went through renovations during the late 2010s. Decked out in elegant tones of beige, soft red and pale green, with luxurious textiles, heated floors and plenty of natural light, the refreshed rooms maintain the historic charm of the hotel with all the comforts of the 21st century. Many of the rooms boast spectacular views off the mountains and the Engadin Valley's breathtaking landscape.

The location is also prime: the Suvretta is St. Moritz’s sole ski in/ski out property and makes the most of it. Plus, most of the staff has been with the hotel for a long time and the concierge here can arrange pretty much anything special access for its clients, including reservations on the sunny terraces of a number of on-mountain restaurants, as Suvretta runs a trio of the best. In the end, choosing to stay here instead of at a more recently updated hotel, like the Carlton, or a more casual hotel like the Kulm, comes down to the importance of direct slope access. The Suvretta is the one that wins in that category.

Families and couples who enjoy an old-world ambience and direct access to Corviglia. Old-world doesn't mean hushed or adults-only: the hotel offers a lot for families, including welcome amenities, a great kid's club and separate children's' dining room and menus. The ski school is known for its excellent instructors.