Our busy lives demand that we take time out to restore good health and well-being. And where better to do this than heading for a luxury summer break in Switzerland, renowned for its mountains, lakes and stunning scenery. The Alpine resort of St Moritz is ideally placed in the Upper Engadine Lake Plateau and surrounded by easy walking paths and cycling tracks against a background of picturesque, snow-capped mountain peaks. Overlooking the Rhaetian Railway station and the biggest lake in this area, Lake St Moritz, is the new Grace La Margna Hotel. It is the first new hotel to open here for fifty years and brings a unique and new approach to a holiday in a resort steeped in tradition since it was ‘discovered’ in 1864.
World-famous for its winter activities St Moritz had plenty to offer during the summer season, including the delights of a stay at the Grace La Margna Hotel.
The Grace La Margna Hotel
La Margna Hotel is part of the independent Grace Hotels chain and following renovation and refurbishment of the original hotel on this site and the addition of a new wing it opened in the summer of 2023. The main building, the Margna Wing has retained its historic façade and its modern interior incorporates many of the original features including the magnificent chandeliers that shed light on the modern bar below. This large area features the Living Room and the Number 5 or N/5 Bar. The bar is open to all, not just guests in the hotel.
Stunning views across Lake St Moritz below and an excellent bar menu will no doubt result in this delightful venue becoming a hot spot in the town. No dress code, just good food, good company and friendly service. A more formal dining experience happens in The View which offers an unusual sharing menu for dinner and a super breakfast to start the day.
Central to the theme of well-being here is the new Spa and Wellness Centre. Here guests will find everything they need in the changing rooms when they arrive for a treatment, massage or a session experiencing the water-based activities. A generously sized pool is encircled with loungers and backed by a large heated jacuzzi. Continue in to the next room and choose between a steam room, two saunas, two emotional showers and the Aquamoon.
Also available here is the Spa Lounge, a quiet space offering privacy on comfy sofas surrounded by curtains plus healthy drinks and snacks. A great space to chill out. Those guests looking to expend more energy can head for the small, state of the art gym.
Activities at the Grace La Margna Hotel
Fun activities in the Grace La Margna Hotel include master classes conducted by members of staff. Micron, the sommelier, takes guests through the steps required to make cocktails or mocktails – shaken, not stirred – while relating the history of these popular concoctions.
Mauro, the Pizzaiolo divulges the secrets of the light, fluffy pizzas that feature on the hotel menus. Follow his instructions carefully or my find yourself without any lunch that day – although there is always the fall back of Mauro’s pizza. Parents can relax while participating in these activities as their children enjoy the large, supervised playroom – although the young at heart may be tempted to join them in the games room concealed behind a row of mock houses.
Exploring with the Grace La Margna Hotel
Guided hikes and e-bike tours allow guests to get out and explore the surrounding area in groups supervised by members of staff. The friendly approach and care and attention to detail is a hallmark of the Grace La Margna Hotel.
There are numerous options when it comes to walking and biking thanks to the local landscape which features four large lakes, St Moritz, Silvaplana (best for surfing and sailing), Champfèrer (a paradise for anglers) and Silser. Numerous marked trails facilitate easy exploration of these lakes and also the smaller, pretty lakes found in the abundant forests here. Enjoy a picnic or al fresco fondu organised by the hotel to enhance your outdoor experience. E-bikes are available at the hotel and the easy terrain means this provides a good opportunity for a first experience of ‘assisted’ cycling. An easy tour follows the track around the lakes to Silvaplana, a pretty village close to St Moritz and ideal for a coffee stop.
Visit St Moritz Centre Close to Grace La Margna Hotel
High-end retail therapy is a dominant feature of St Moritz where the streets are lined with all the famous fashion shops. Even if you can’t afford their prices, you can enjoy the beautifully dressed windows. And maybe linger in the renowned Café … for coffee and cake before choosing some sweet gifts from their range of Swiss chocolates.
This historic village was the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, a central feature since 1864, and summer visitors wanting to delve into this aspect of the village will find plenty of information in the Cresta and Bob Museum which relates the story of bobsleigh and the Cresta run in St Moritz. Art lovers should make their way to the Segantini Museum housed in a building created by the Engadine architect Nicolaus Hartmann in 1908. This unusual building houses the world’s most important collection of the works of Giovanni Segantini.
A stay at the Grace La Margna Hotel is a holiday in itself and with sixteen different, modern, room styles there is accommodation to suit everyone. Book your room here.
Getting There
Most of the major airlines offer regular flights to Zurich. Travelling from Zurich by rail? Include a section on the Bernina Express which crosses the Landwasser Viaduct and passes through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges between Chur and Tirana. This spectacular stretch of railway line has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a treat not to be missed.
