The Samedan EscapeN°001
St. Moritz, Switzerland
From $6,358 per night
St. Moritz is the Engadin's glamorous alpine resort, famed for sunshine, frozen-lake events and world-class skiing. Renting a luxury chalet here pairs ski-in convenience and private wellness with the discretion of your own residence, supported by Smiling House concierge service and direct booking close to the pistes.
- Twin valleys of skiing across Corviglia, Corvatsch and Diavolezza
- Glamorous village life around Via Serlas and the frozen lake
- Signature winter spectacles including White Turf racing and snow polo
- Quieter lakeside hamlets such as Maloja for nature and seclusion
- Private chalets with wellness suites, log fires and mountain views
Known forLuxury alpine skiing, the frozen St. Moritz lake, polo and horse racing on snow, and high-altitude Engadin sunshine
Best time to visitDecember to March for skiing and lake events; June to September for hiking and warm-weather alpine pursuits
Nearest airportZurich Airport (ZRH), roughly a three-hour transfer; Samedan airfield serves private aviation nearby
Ideal forCouples, families and groups seeking ski holidays, wellness and refined alpine glamour
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St. Moritz in pictures
Events not to miss in St. Moritz
- Late January
Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz
The world's most prestigious snow polo tournament is played on the frozen lake beneath the village. Champagne tents and alpine glamour at their most concentrated.
- Late January to early February
St. Moritz Gourmet Festival
International star chefs take over the Engadin's grand kitchens for a week of dinners and tastings. Reserve signature events months ahead.
- February, three Sundays
White Turf
Thoroughbred racing on the frozen lake, including the extraordinary skijöring races where riders are towed on skis. A St. Moritz tradition since 1907.
- Second Sunday of March
Engadin Skimarathon
Over ten thousand cross-country skiers glide the frozen lakes and valleys from Maloja to S-chanf. Spectating from the trailside with a thermos is a spectacle in itself.
- July to early August
Festival da Jazz
World-class jazz in intimate venues, most famously the historic Dracula Club. Summer evenings in the Engadin rarely sound better.
St. Moritz through the seasons
- Winter (December – April)
Champagne skiing and frozen-lake glamour
Corviglia and Corvatsch deliver sun-drenched pistes while the frozen lake hosts polo, racing and gourmet weeks. A chalet with staff turns the season into effortless theatre.
- Spring (May – June)
Quiet valleys between seasons
Snowmelt waterfalls, first wildflowers and near-empty trails reward those who visit between the ski and summer crowds. Ideal for writers, walkers and spa days.
- Summer (July – September)
Alpine hiking and lake sailing
Three hundred days of Engadin sunshine at their best: sailing on Lake St. Moritz, high-altitude hikes and e-biking to Lake Cavloc. Cool mountain nights guarantee good sleep.
- Autumn (October – November)
Golden larches over turquoise lakes
The Engadin's larch forests turn a famous gold against early-snow peaks, a photographer's dream. Crisp days and quiet villages before the ski world returns.
The Area
St. Moritz sits at around 1,800 metres in the Upper Engadin, a high alpine valley in the Swiss canton of Graubunden. It is split between St. Moritz Dorf, the elegant village above the lake, and St. Moritz Bad, the original spa quarter beside the water. The resort is renowned for its dry, sunny climate and the chain of glittering Engadin lakes that freeze solid each winter, hosting everything from horse racing to gourmet festivals. Beyond the village, the valley unfolds towards Celerina, Pontresina, Sils and the tranquil lakeside hamlet of Maloja, where pine forests and Italianate light give way to the Maloja Pass. It is a landscape that has drawn aristocrats, artists and Olympians for well over a century.
Where to Stay
Choosing a luxury chalet in St. Moritz is largely about pace and proximity. St. Moritz Dorf places you among the boutiques of Via Serlas, the Palace Hotel and the Corviglia funicular, ideal for those who want glamour on the doorstep. St. Moritz Bad sits lower by the lake, closer to cross-country trails and the Signal cable car. For quiet, families and groups often look to neighbouring Celerina, Pontresina or the Italianate calm of Maloja at the valley's far end. A Smiling House chalet typically offers spacious living areas, private wellness, log fires and mountain views, with concierge support arranging transfers, ski guides and in-house chefs.
Things to Do
Skiing defines winter here, with three principal areas: Corviglia above the village, Corvatsch reaching glacier heights, and Diavolezza for long descents and off-piste. The frozen lake stages White Turf horse racing, snow polo and cricket on ice, while the Cresta Run and the Olympia Bob Run carry genuine sporting heritage. Summer transforms the Engadin into a hiking, cycling and sailing playground, with the Segantini Museum and the literary trails around Sils and Nietzsche's house adding cultural depth. Wellness, spa days and lakeside walks suit gentler itineraries. Whatever the season, the altitude light and panoramic peaks remain the constant draw.
Dining & Nightlife
St. Moritz dines exceptionally well, from Michelin-starred kitchens and historic grand-hotel restaurants to rustic mountain huts reached on skis. Long alpine lunches on sun terraces are a ritual, often followed by lively apres-ski. Evenings range from refined wine cellars to the storied bars and nightclubs that give the resort its after-dark reputation. Regional Graubunden specialities such as capuns, pizzoccheri and air-dried Bundnerfleisch sit alongside international fine dining and Italian influences carried over the nearby border. A private chef arranged through concierge lets groups enjoy this gastronomy in the comfort of their chalet, pairing local produce with cellar selections beside the fire.
When to Visit & Getting There
The winter season runs roughly December to early April, peaking over the festive weeks and the lake events of January and February. Summer, from June to September, brings warm days, alpine flowers and clear hiking conditions, with quieter villages and softer rates. The most scenic arrival is by rail: the Glacier Express and Bernina Express thread spectacular passes into the Engadin. Most international guests fly into Zurich, around three hours by road or train, while private aviation uses Samedan airfield minutes from the village. Smiling House concierge can coordinate door-to-door transfers, helicopter connections and chauffeured arrivals so your alpine stay begins seamlessly.