As Richard Leuenberger looks around one of the beautiful suites in the new Serlas Wing, his
enthusiasm is palpable. The bright, spacious living area is a masterpiece of 21st-century design, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that frame breathtaking mountain views. He gestures towards the Loro Piana fabrics adorning the sofas and walls, each element thoughtfully selected to create a serene ambiance enriched by the soft, calming lighting.
It’s no surprise that the man at the helm of one of the world’s most renowned hotels is looking so pleased. The unveiling of the hotel’s new extension this winter 2024/25 season, the result of seven years of meticulous planning, marks a milestone in the hotel’s storied history.
Designed by acclaimed architect-designer Antonio Citterio of Milan-based ACPV (Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel), the new Serlas Wing has 25 luxurious rooms and suites and a stunning penthouse. Located directly across the street, a private tunnel seamlessly connects the new annex to the main building, allowing guests to move with ease to and from the main building.
The annex is a tribute to Badrutt’s commitment to embracing the future while honouring its rich heritage. “The new accommodation elevates the guest experience by offering them something different: private, residential-style accommodation that resonates with current luxury trends,” he explains, seated on the suite’s curvy B&B Italia sofa. “With only 25 rooms, the Serlas Wing feels exclusive, secure and comfortable, like an extension of home, offering a sumptuous space that feels like a personal sanctuary of wellbeing. The easy-going ambiance is perfect for relaxation and reflection.”
If guests crave more excitement, they do not have to go far. “The Palace has always been a sparkling social hub, a place for fun and connection with others,” he says, looking over to the main building. “If you are staying in the Serlas Wing and you have a sudden desire to be sociable, you can just pop over and enjoy the bars, restaurants and live music in the main building. We’ve crafted a luxury experience at Badrutt’s that beautifully balances personal space with the renowned vibrancy of the hotel.”
Tribute to the locale
The Serlas Wing draws its inspiration from its surroundings, celebrating local architecture traditions that emphase solidity and stone. The façade features exquisite Dorato Valmalenco stone, with locally sourced wood forming the building’s elegant, cantilevered roof. A portico
gracefully aligns with neighbouring structures, fostering a sense of unity.
“I’ve known Antonio Citterio for quite some time; we first crossed paths in Asia when he was the architect for two Bvlgari Hotel properties,” Leuenberger recalls. “During the pandemic, he spent more time in St. Moritz, where he has a home, and when I shared our expansion plans, he expressed a strong desire to be involved.”
He acknowledges the fortune in securing such a distinguished architect. “Our vision was to ensure the new space harmonises with the hotel’s historic legacy while embodying present-day luxury and sustainability. Antonio is a master of timeless, elegant and sustainable designs, so it was the perfect collaboration.”
Sustainability is a cornerstone for the hotel, and the new building is no exception. “We prioritised energy-efficient materials and systems to minimise our carbon footprint without compromising comfort and luxury for our guests. Like the main building, the new annex utilises our innovative pump system that harnesses lake water for heating, significantly reducing our emissions and impact on the environment.”
A key consideration in the design was also to meet the multi-generational holiday demand. The suites have large living areas for parents, children and grandparents to socialise and feature conveniences you would find in your home, such as kitchenettes equipped with coffee machines and boiling water taps, and walk-in dressers. “There are also various room connection options to provide the convenience and privacy that multi-generational families seek, especially those travelling together for extended stays,” he adds.
For the ultimate in space and luxury, families may be drawn to the top floor of the Serlas Wing. Nestled beneath the striking cantilevered wooden roof, the penthouse spans the entire sixth floor, offering panoramic lake and mountain views through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. An exceptionally crafted kitchen, complete with a pantry and the latest gadgets, including a Japanese ice machine, and a dedicated nanny room, adds to its allure.
A deeper connection
As the hotel embraces the new era with passion, Badrutt’s rich heritage and sense of place continues to hold symbolic and emotional value. “We possess something that other hotels do not: 125-plus years of captivating history, with stories that bring our heritage to life and forge emotional connections with our guests,” he explains, back in the lobby
of the main building.
This kind of authenticity extends to the exceptional, personalised experiences offered to guests. “Travellers today seek value beyond material luxury – they want life-changing, immersive experiences that reflect their destination,” he notes. “We encourage our guests to engage with the local culture and connect with nature. Our concierge team is knowledgeable and eager to suggest and organise unique, unforgettable activities that individuals will cherish forever.”
In summer, that might include wild swimming or paddleboarding in a lake, mountain biking or taking a funicular up to the mountain for a lunch-with-a-view at Paradiso Mountain Club & Restaurant. The hotel can also arrange one-off adventures, whether sailing or river rafting, husky hiking or a tour of a distillery. In winter, guests can partake in paragliding, horse riding, or attending iconic and cool events, from The ICE classic car event to horse racing, both on the frozen lake.
Winter has traditionally been the peak season for Badrutt’s Palace. But St. Moritz’s summer appeal is increasingly drawing in sophisticated travellers. He says: “The trend is moving away from spending summers on Europe’s coast, where it is increasingly hot, to seeking more pleasant temperatures in the mountains, where they can relish the sunshine, fresh air and nature, enjoying a sense of wellbeing away from the crowds.”
He recalls a recent summer outing: “I invited some guests at the hotel to a very special lunch. I gathered sausages and a few other items from the kitchen, and we all walked to beautiful Lej da Staz. We chose our barbecue spot and, as we fired it up, the kids swam in the lake. Our friends, who are incredibly well travelled, declared it the best day ever. It was a simple, back-to-nature moment that money can’t buy.”
Best of both worlds
As luxury travellers increasingly put health and wellbeing at the centre of their holidays, the hotel is continuing to enhance its wellness experience. Take the hotel’s stunning new al fresco swimming pool, now triple its previous size, and the first part of a larger renovation aimed at transforming the Palace Wellness facilities. The pool has built-in body massage stations with a bubble bench, hydro back bench and floating loungers – and magnificent lake and mountain views.
The spa-like pool was a huge success with guests in summer and is sure to be popular this winter, too. “Just imagine sinking into its warm waters after a day on the slopes, Champagne in hand, as the massaging water jets ease your tired muscles, surrounded by falling snow and majestic mountains. Amazing, right?” he laughs. He adds that the pool has been carefully designed to minimise its environmental impact. “At night, all the water is pumped into an underground pool to retain its heat, before being released back into the main pool during the day. It’s also heated using our innovative, eco-friendly lake water system.”
As Badrutt’s Palace evolves, Leuenberger appreciates it’s all about achieving balance: “It’s what I most love about being part of a hotel that blends history with present-day luxury, where each day presents new challenges and opportunities for innovation,” he explains. “Balancing evolution with the preservation of Badrutt’s heritage is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.”
He is sure the future is golden for Badrutt’s Palace and believes the timing of the expansion is perfect. “The Serlas Wing provides guests with a contemporary luxury experience that feels like a natural extension of the historic hotel. It is the best of both worlds.”
Luxury Redefined
Luxury travel journalist Lane Nieset reflects on her exclusive experience staying in the Serlas Wing
When a hotel becomes a second home, the place you visit with your family each winter, there’s comfort in consistency. The red-capped valets whisking your luggage into the Rolls-Royce. The pianist serenading Le Grand Hall during apéritifs, expansive arched windows framing snow-capped peaks glowing in the distance. Rooms exuding Old World glamour, accented with touches of pinewood and plush velvet. It’s hard to fathom staying in a different style suite at Badrutt’s Palace, let alone an entirely new wing.
Contemporary can take on a variety of meanings, but at a hotel such as Badrutt’s Palace that celebrates the Golden Age of Travel, I was curious to see how it would usher in a new era while remaining faithful to its rich past. The key, I learned as I was whisked up in the elevator of the new, six-storey Serlas Wing, is embracing your locale – which is easy to do if you’re sleeping in a room that looks straight out to the neo-gothic castle standing proudly across the street.
Stepping into a suite, you can practically smell the soothing locally sourced oak, a natural element that adds a layer of warmth and invites the outdoors in. Walnut-coloured wooden planks stretch across the ceiling in a style reminiscent of Japanese minimalism,
an aesthetic that pairs beautifully with the natural stone floors and cream wool fabric-lined wall panels from Loro Piana, the luxury Italian house known for sourcing rare, extra-fine merino wool.
Bvlgari Hotels immediately come to mind, a fitting comparison since Italian studio ACPV Architects was behind those properties as well. But the Serlas Wing feels less hotel, more lived-in penthouse. The suites’ expansive living rooms are designed in a way that invite you
to sit and linger a while – which is exactly what I did, wrapped up in a plush robe, sipping a glass of wine while reading a book and watching the snow falling in the distance.
