The Alps have always been more than just a landscape; they are also a projection screen. In cinema, they appear as a stage for escapism and elegance – from Luis Trenker’s ‘Der Berg ruft’ (The Mountain Calls) to James Bond, who pursues his missions between glaciers and grand hotels. St. Moritz embodies this dual magic: majestic nature and glamorous staging. The Grace La Margna enters this tradition and adds a quiet, modern chapter to it.

This concept is reflected in the architecture of the hotel itself. The building is divided into the historic La Margna Wing and the modern Grace Wing, offering a total of 74 spacious rooms and suites. The original La Margna building was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century in the characteristic Art Nouveau style and is one of the landmarks of St. Moritz. Designed by architect Nicolaus Hartmann, it still contains numerous original architectural and decorative elements. Engraved columns, the colour scheme and other style-defining details have been lavishly restored and integrated into the modern renovation, blending historical charm with contemporary elegance. The hotel also features three restaurants, a bar and spacious relaxation areas such as a spa, cigar lounge and living room.

We are spending our time at the Grace La Margna Hotel in the modern wing, in the Grace Junior Suite. Covering almost 50 m², it offers a space that skilfully captures the charm of the Swiss Alps and, in particular, the Engadin. The room is luxuriously furnished without losing its down-to-earth feel: the floor, with its subtle texture, feels lively underfoot, while hand-picked materials and subtle colours create a harmonious, soothing ambience. After sinking into the soft cushions for the first time, it immediately becomes clear how tempting it is to simply stay.

Large, floor-to-ceiling windows open up a view of Lake St. Moritz, the summit of Piz Rosatsch and the historic railway station – a view that changes constantly throughout the day, revealing new details all the time: a Glacier Express train passing by, vintage cars on their way to the village, hikers walking around the lake. We find ourselves gazing out of the window in silence for minutes on end, taking in a panorama that will remain in our memories.

As we look out of the window, the clock on the station tower already shows 10:00 a.m. Time to start our day at The View restaurant with a delicious breakfast. In addition to a generous buffet with a selection of regional cheese specialities, à la carte egg dishes and other hot dishes can be ordered. In the middle of the room, a table full of sweet temptations beckons, from cakes of the day to small pieces of patisserie that look almost too beautiful to try. The service is attentive without being intrusive. A trolley with fresh croissants, nougat cream, jams and toppings is wheeled over to our table. ‘Which filling would you like today?’

As fog rolls over the trees and envelops the landscape in grey, we spend the afternoon in the 700-square-metre wellness area. We glide through the warm water in the 20-metre indoor pool, alternate between the Finnish sauna, steam bath and soothing organic salt sauna, and then lie down on the massage loungers in the 34-degree whirlpool. Here, too, we are constantly accompanied by the view of the Engadin mountains – how could it be otherwise? Will this view ever lose its appeal? Probably not.

Soft lighting, a crackling fire, and almost complete silence make the adjoining relaxation rooms a quiet space for genuine unwinding. However, those who wish to get active will find opportunities to train around the clock in the small but well-equipped gym with TechnoGym equipment.

Later in the afternoon, a short walk takes us to Café Belmont, initially just to escape the rain, but our stay quickly turns into a scene from a film: hot tea, a book and the steady patter of rain on the windows. A few steps further on is the Tony Kelly World gallery. With bright colours and bold staging, the photographer’s exhibition ‘The Summer of Risk and Romance’ tells stories of adventure, romance and cinematic seduction.

Conversations by the flickering light of the fireplace

In the evening, we are drawn to the Living Room, which is directly adjacent to Bar No. 5. Warm, subdued light falls on the elegant armchairs, and the crackling of the fireplace mingles with the quiet sounds of other conversations. We play a game of chess and order two glasses of Negroni. No martinis – the reference to James Bond would be too obvious.

On the other side of the Living Room, there is a tea station and a counter with homemade cakes. It is a space where encounters happen: conversations with other guests arise casually, sometimes long and lively, quietly enriching our stay with new impressions and acquaintances.

To explore the surrounding area, the Grace Hotel offers its guests the Genesis GV60 for a test drive. We decide to give it a go, pick up the keys from the concierge and set off. The electric vehicle glides almost silently along the roads, making the landscape seem more intense: rain, fog and changing light stand out more clearly, as if the silence of the drive sharpens our perception. On the Bernina Pass, the car’s power is impressive – 490 hp and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just four seconds – qualities that are difficult to exploit in Switzerland, but still give noticeable pleasure. Especially for hotel guests who do not arrive by car, the Genesis is a pleasant way to experience the mountain world from a unique perspective.

At the Grace Hotel in St. Moritz, the special atmosphere is evident in every detail, from the architecture and service to the design and connection to the landscape. This creates an atmosphere that is understatedly elegant and at the same time highlights what makes it so special. Shortly after checking out, we reflect on our impressions of the last two days and find ourselves daydreaming. A snow-covered St. Moritz, sun on the white peaks, a walk across the frozen Lake St. Moritz. If we could choose, we would spend the coming cold season right here.

Click here for the Grace La Margna St. Moritz hotel

Coverphoto: Brechenmayer & Baumann Photography

Photos by Max Mueller for SC