Why Stay at Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
Kulm Hotel St. Moritz occupies a unique position in the history of the resort.
Its story began in 1856, when Johannes Badrutt and his wife Maria took over what was then Pension Faller and developed it into the Engadiner Kulm.
What followed helped shape St. Moritz as an international destination.
The hotel’s connection with the origins of winter tourism, its elevated position above Lake St. Moritz and its extensive collection of accommodation, dining, wellness and sporting facilities give it a character that goes far beyond that of a conventional luxury hotel.
For travellers interested in understanding why St. Moritz became one of the world’s most recognisable Alpine resorts, Kulm offers the opportunity to stay directly within that history.
Where Winter Tourism Began
The defining chapter of the Kulm story dates to 1864.
Johannes Badrutt invited several English summer guests to return to St. Moritz during winter, promising to cover their travel costs if they did not enjoy the season.
They returned, stayed until Easter, and the episode became closely associated with the birth of winter tourism in St. Moritz.
The hotel continued to play an unusually important role in the development of the resort.
Electric lighting was introduced in its Grand Restaurant in 1879, while curling, the Cresta Run and other winter sports developed around the hotel and Kulm Park.
The grounds would later become connected with both the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympic Games.
Today, this heritage remains visible without turning Kulm into a museum.
Historic rooms and architecture coexist with contemporary accommodation, restaurants, wellness facilities and a highly developed sporting programme.
The Hotel Experience
Rooms and Suites
Kulm Hotel currently offers 150 rooms and suites.
Accommodation is divided between lake-facing and village-facing rooms, with styles ranging from more traditional Alpine interiors to contemporary designs.
Lake-facing accommodations look across Lake St. Moritz and towards the Engadin mountains, while village-facing rooms provide a closer relationship with St. Moritz Dorf and the surrounding peaks.
Several of the hotel’s suites have been redesigned by Pierre-Yves Rochon.
The Corvatsch Suite is the largest, with extensive living space, a balcony and views across the lake towards the Corvatsch mountain.
Other significant accommodations include the Rosatsch, Engadin and Piz Nair Suites, each creating a different relationship with the landscape.
Rather than choosing purely according to category, travellers should consider whether the priority is lake views, a more traditional Alpine atmosphere, contemporary interiors or additional residential space.
Dining
Dining at Kulm extends across several very different settings.
The Grand Restaurant remains one of the most historically significant spaces in the hotel and continues to serve breakfast and evening dining within its grand interior.
Kulm Country Club offers a more contemporary interpretation of Alpine dining under Mauro Colagreco, with a culinary approach built around mountain terroir and regional ingredients.
Amaru brings Peruvian influences into the hotel’s dining collection, while the Pizzeria focuses on Italian classics.
Chesa al Parc provides a more relaxed setting for Swiss and international dishes close to Kulm Park.
The Lobby Lounge and Altitude Bar add further social spaces for afternoon tea, drinks and evenings overlooking the lake.
The breadth of the dining programme means that guests spending several nights at Kulm can experience significantly different atmospheres without relying on a single signature restaurant.
Kulm Spa
Wellness is one of the strongest elements of the hotel.
Kulm Spa extends across approximately 2,000 square metres and combines treatment areas with pools, thermal facilities and fitness.
The spa includes indoor and outdoor swimming, sauna and steam facilities, treatment spaces and a modern fitness area.
Views towards Lake St. Moritz and the surrounding mountains reinforce the connection between the wellness programme and the Alpine landscape outside.
For winter guests, the spa provides a natural complement to skiing and time outdoors.
In summer, it works equally well alongside hiking, golf, cycling and longer days across the Engadin.
Winter at the Kulm
Winter is inseparable from Kulm’s identity.
The hotel’s historic relationship with winter tourism continues through a practical sporting infrastructure designed around contemporary guests.
An Alpine Sports Lounge & Boutique provides ski equipment, storage and concierge assistance within the hotel.
Private instructors and guides can be arranged, while a complimentary shuttle connects the hotel with the Corviglia funicular.
The hotel also currently includes a Ski & Mountain Pass for guests during the winter season, allowing the mountain experience to be integrated directly into the stay.
Kulm should not be described as a ski-in/ski-out property.
Its advantage is different: a central St. Moritz Dorf position combined with organised access to the slopes and substantial facilities to return to after skiing.
Beyond the pistes, Kulm’s relationship with winter sport extends through the Cresta Run, ice skating and the historic sporting landscape of Kulm Park.
Summer at the Kulm
Kulm also operates a dedicated summer season.
Once the snow disappears, the surrounding landscape becomes centred on lakes, hiking, cycling, golf and outdoor sport.
The hotel operates its own nine-hole golf course within the grounds, together with tennis and padel facilities.
Lake St. Moritz and the wider Engadin provide additional opportunities for walking, cycling and longer scenic days throughout the valley.
The seasonal transformation is significant.
Winter emphasises snow, sport and St. Moritz’s historic social calendar, while summer allows the hotel’s elevated lake views, terraces and outdoor facilities to become much more prominent.
Travellers planning stays outside the principal summer and winter seasons should confirm the hotel’s current opening calendar before finalising their journey.
Who Kulm Hotel Suits
Kulm is particularly suited to travellers who are interested in both the history and contemporary life of St. Moritz.
Its heritage gives the property a strong sense of place, while the scale of its restaurants, spa and sporting facilities creates the experience of a complete Alpine resort.
It works particularly well for guests who want easy access to St. Moritz Dorf while still enjoying elevated lake views and substantial facilities within the hotel.
Winter travellers can benefit from organised ski services and proximity to Corviglia, while summer guests have access to golf, racquet sports and the wider Engadin landscape.
Families can also make use of dedicated children’s facilities and seasonal activities.
Travellers seeking a much smaller or highly secluded Alpine property may prefer another style of hotel.
For a broader comparison, explore our Luxury Hotels in St. Moritz guide.
Experiencing St. Moritz from the Kulm
Kulm’s position in St. Moritz Dorf places the village and the surrounding landscape within easy reach.
In winter, Corviglia provides the most immediate connection with skiing and mountain experiences.
During summer, Lake St. Moritz, hiking trails and the hotel’s own outdoor facilities create a very different rhythm.
The Engadin can also be explored through privately guided days, scenic drives and mountain dining experiences extending beyond St. Moritz itself.
Kulm Country Club and Kulm Park add another dimension directly around the hotel, connecting contemporary dining and sport with the property’s history.
For broader destination planning, explore our St. Moritz travel guide.
Private Travel and Chauffeur Service
St. Moritz is accessible by road, rail and private aviation.
From Zurich, the road journey takes approximately three hours depending on traffic, weather and the chosen Alpine route.
Travellers arriving by private jet or helicopter can use Engadin Airport near Samedan before completing the final journey to St. Moritz by road.
The hotel also provides transfers between Kulm and St. Moritz railway station.
A private chauffeur becomes particularly valuable for airport arrivals, ski equipment, luggage, regional excursions and longer journeys through the Engadin.
Luxury Switzerland can arrange private chauffeur travel around the itinerary rather than requiring a vehicle to remain with guests throughout every day.
Continue Your Journey
St. Moritz forms a natural part of several longer Swiss itineraries.
Zurich provides the principal major-city and international gateway connection.
Travelling towards Lucerne creates a transition from the Engadin towards the lakes and mountains of Central Switzerland.
To the south, Lugano offers an entirely different Swiss atmosphere shaped by Ticino and Italian-speaking culture.
Private point-to-point travel allows these journeys to be coordinated around weather, luggage and hotel arrivals rather than treated simply as transportation between destinations.
Planning Your Stay
Where is Kulm Hotel St. Moritz located?
Kulm Hotel St. Moritz is located at Via Veglia 18 in St. Moritz Dorf.
The hotel sits above Lake St. Moritz, close to the village centre and within walking distance of the railway station.
When did Kulm Hotel St. Moritz open?
The origins of the hotel date to 1856, when Johannes Badrutt and Maria Berry took over the Pension Faller and renamed it Engadiner Kulm.
It became the first hotel in St. Moritz and later became closely associated with the birth of winter tourism.
How many rooms and suites does Kulm Hotel have?
Kulm currently offers 150 rooms and suites.
Accommodation includes both lake-facing and village-facing rooms together with a collection of larger suites.
Is Kulm Hotel ski-in/ski-out?
No.
Kulm should not be described as a ski-in/ski-out hotel.
The hotel instead provides ski services within its Alpine Sports Lounge and operates a complimentary shuttle to the Corviglia funicular.
Does Kulm Hotel provide ski passes?
During the winter season, the hotel currently provides a complimentary Ski & Mountain Pass valid according to the length of the stay.
Current inclusions should always be confirmed directly with the hotel when booking.
Does Kulm Hotel have a spa?
Yes.
Kulm Spa extends across approximately 2,000 square metres and includes treatment areas, swimming pools, sauna and steam facilities and fitness.
Does Kulm Hotel have a swimming pool?
Yes.
The spa includes both indoor and outdoor pool facilities.
What restaurants are at Kulm Hotel?
Kulm operates several restaurants and bars whose availability varies by season.
Current venues include the Grand Restaurant, Kulm Country Club, Amaru, the Pizzeria and Chesa al Parc, together with several lounges and bars.
Is Kulm Hotel open in summer?
Yes.
Kulm operates dedicated summer and winter seasons.
The exact opening dates vary each year, so travellers planning spring or autumn stays should verify the current seasonal calendar directly with the hotel.
Is Kulm Hotel suitable for families?
Yes.
The hotel provides a Kids Club and family-oriented activities, while larger rooms and suites can accommodate different family configurations.
How far is Kulm Hotel from Zurich Airport?
The journey from Zurich Airport to St. Moritz is approximately three hours by road under normal conditions.
Mountain weather and traffic can increase journey time, particularly during winter.
Can Luxury Switzerland arrange a private transfer to Kulm Hotel?
Yes.
Private chauffeur transfers can be arranged from Zurich Airport, other Swiss cities and regional arrival points, with vehicles selected according to passenger numbers, luggage and ski equipment.
