MY STAY
Arrival & the lake
Being collected at St. Moritz station in a black Rolls-Royce made Badrutt's Palace feel theatrical from the start. I enjoyed the car, but looking over the lake from the hotel gave me a better reason to stay longer than one night.
The rooms
Room choice changes the experience. A top-floor suite or balcony room in the historic palace brings the old-world feel and Lake St. Moritz into the day, while the newer Serlas Wing can offer more current fittings. I cared more about the exact window view than the category's grand name. Neither wing wins automatically.
Breakfast, service & pool
Breakfast at Le Restaurant stretched out beneath its big lake-facing windows. When a friend arrived unexpectedly, the team found room at the table instead of treating the extra place as a problem. The concierge could arrange dinner in town as easily as on property. Not every shared space was peaceful, though: loud swimmers cut one indoor-pool visit short on a busy afternoon.
Would I return?
The station car would still make me smile on a return visit, but the lake room and restaurants would keep me there for several slower days. The palace earns its reputation most when the room outlook and everyday help live up to the arrival.