When Hollywood stars and European royalty roll into the Swiss Alps for a winter break, they head straight for St. Moritz. With a reputation for world-class skiing, shopping and indulgence, this glitzy resort town is abundant with places to stay, wine and dine.
A favourite of winter sport enthusiasts and luxury travellers alike is the five-star hotel Suvretta House, which peeks through the pine trees like an enchanted fairytale castle. Read on as we explore this gorgeous hotel, its activities and the trio of delectable Suvretta House restaurants.
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A little about St. Moritz, “Top of the World”
In the heart of the Swiss Alps, in the sunny Engadine valley, sits the resort town of St. Moritz – one of the world’s most prestigious ski resorts. This upscale town is regarded as the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, and has been since 1864, when local hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a bet with guests who visited the Swiss Alps in the summer. He promised them that if they returned to St. Moritz in winter and did not enjoy their stay, he would cover their travel expenses. The rest is history.
Today, St. Moritz could be classed as the Monaco of winter resorts; extravagant and glamorous but approachable for all. In fact, more than half a million visitors descend on St. Moritz each year. Awaiting them are a plethora of cosy chalets and stunning hotels, including our favourite, Suvretta House.
Set among dense alpine forest, this imposing six-floor Belle Époque building boasts 181 deluxe rooms and is the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in St. Moritz. This means that during the winter (December to April), the hotel offers a private ski lift for guests. As the snow subsides, the summer months are filled with tennis and golf, plus hiking, biking and canyoning in the surrounding wilderness.
Whatever the season, all that activity builds up quite the appetite – which is handy because there are three delicious Suvretta House restaurants in which to indulge: Chasellas, Suvretta Stube, and The Grand Restaurant.
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Chasellas: sunkissed terrace lunches & gourmet dinners
With sublime views of the snow-capped alps, Chasellas is a fun little chalet-style restaurant that boasts relaxed gourmet dining to the tune of 15 Gault Millau points.
It’s a must-visit for lunch. St. Moritz is blessed with 322 days of sunshine a year, and the Chasellas terrace allows you to enjoy the rays, the views and the dishes in style. It’s an equally wonderful place for an evening soirée, especially when the restaurant is exclusively yours – a special touch we love to provide on our tours. This privacy gives us space to unwind and enjoy each other’s company.
We always begin with a lovely sunset aperitif on the outdoor terrace, before moving inside for a taste of the Mediterranean. Developed by head chef Marco Kind, the lunchtime menu can be described as elegantly rustic, while the fine-dining evening menu is simple and sophisticated.
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Suvretta Stube: timeless cuisine & modern classics
With wood panelling, low lighting and 14 Gault Millau points, the Suvretta Stube restaurant is an upscale but unstuffy space that perfectly blends authentic Swiss dining with the cosiness you crave from a restaurant in such a beautiful alpine location. It sits in the oldest part of the hotel and feels akin to dining in a fancy early 20th century train carriage.
This alpine hideaway is also the perfect introduction to the region’s unique gastronomy. Enjoy rich Swiss-German style cuisine in the form of wintery cheese dishes, such as raclette and fondue, alongside extensive cheese, caviar and wine menus.
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The Grand Restaurant: old-world European elegance
The final Suvretta restaurant is the Grand, which certainly lives up to its name. It’s a simply gorgeous space; long, opulent and exuding old-world charm. The restaurant is adorned with carved oak pillars, classic coffered ceiling and elegant table dressings, setting the scene for an evening of sophisticated dining.
All three of Suvretta’s restaurants are highly awarded, with the Grand bagging the highest accolades with 16 Gault Millau points. You can sit down to a modern French menu, rich with luxury ingredients – whether that’s the lobster, champagne and samphire risotto, or the sea bass with green almonds, jalapeño and Golden Oscietra caviar.
Naturally, to match such upmarket decor and dishes, a formal dress code is required at the Grand Restaurant Suvretta House.
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Discover European dining as part of a bucket-list luxury tour
Weave supercars through stunning alpine passes by day and unwind with exquisite meals each night.
If you would like to learn more about our exceptional European driving adventures, speak with our friendly travel concierge team today.
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