This Luxurious Swiss Alps Hotel Offers A Lavish Ski Getaway With Immaculate Mountain Views

It wasn't all that long ago that Austin Powers would have been right at home in St. Moritz. The outrageous parody of a James Bond-esque secret agent navigating the swinging '60s that actor/comedian Mike Meyers brought to the big screen in 1997's "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," tickled our collective funny bone as he bumbled his way through adventures set in the hedonistic decade. Fictional? Of course. But there were real places all over the world where jetsetters embraced elements of the decadent lifestyle depicted in the movie. St. Moritz is one such place. In the 1960s and 1970s, the luxe alpine ski destination was all-night party central for the likes of Andy Warhol, Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dali, and even members of European royalty.

It was groovy, baby. But it didn't start out that way. The historic village in the Swiss Alps, already a world-class ski destination by the mid-19th century, first caught the eye of luxury travelers in 1896 when Swiss businessman Caspar Badrutt opened the palatial Badrutt's Palace, one of the best hotels in Europe. The posh hotel drew an elegant crowd and paved the way for the development of additional luxe lodging, including Grand Hotel des Bains. Originally a small, but highly regarded, spa hotel established at the site of natural mineral springs, Grand Hotel des Bains was a favored destination among European elite intent on taking the waters. It was more a haven of tranquil relaxation than 'round-the-clock party destination. An 1887 renovation added a regal Mediterranean edifice later enhanced by the addition of corner towers in 1906. Affiliated with Kempinski Hotels — a leader in the luxury hotel industry — since 2002, today's Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz combines the excitement of an Alpine ski getaway and dream-come-true mountain vistas with the luxury of a world-class resort.

While Grand Hotel des Bains has expanded far beyond its original footprint, the natural mineral spring that first attracted visitors to its location remains a focal point, as it has been since at least the late Bronze Age. Highly regarded for its healing properties, the St. Mauritius mineral spring is the centerpiece of Grand Hotel des Bain Kempinski's Alpine Spa. What better way to end a day on the slopes than sinking into the waters of an age-old healing mineral spring, but that's just the beginning of your lavish wellness journey at the 30,000-square-foot spa. The luxe facility that embraces a theme of "sanus per aquam" — Latin for healthy through water — features an indoor swimming pool with floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding landscape, in addition to a heated outdoor pool. The spa's menu of services includes an impressive array of massage and body treatments, in addition to cryotherapy. The practice, involving brief exposure temperatures well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, is widely hailed for its therapeutic effect following a long day on the slopes.

Speaking of slopes, Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz offers easy ski-in-ski-out access to some of the best skiing in the region, Corviglia — a European ski destination for a picture-perfect ski vacation — and Corvatsch — one of the 34 best places in the world to ski. Guests who prefer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can explore the region by picking up a trail right from the hotel property. The surrounding area offers a varied landscape of forests, lakes, and valleys. With miles of winding trails, an average annual snowfall of 369 inches, 88 downhill runs, St. Moritz is the epitome of a winter wonderland. But not everyone who loves the snow is a winter sports enthusiast. Some of us prefer a more relaxed and cozy, maybe even indoor, experience.

Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski is less than a mile and a half from the historic center of St. Moritz and its bevy of designer shops and chic boutiques. Let the high rollers drop big bucks to compete for best-dressed on the slopes. Instead, tuck into shops like Hanselmann and Läderach Chocolatier Suisse for an authentic taste of Switzerland. Pick up some goodies then head back to the hotel to curl up in a cozy nook — or in front of a roaring fire if you booked a fireplace suite — with your sweet treats and, maybe, a well-deserved hot toddy. In addition to its fireplace suites, accommodations include a full range of lavishly appointed guest rooms. On-site dining venues at the Michelin one-key hotel resort include restaurants offering everything from casual al fresco service to fine dining in a formal setting.

New in 2024, Billionaire is a dinner-and-a-show venue that offers fine dining and revue-style entertainment. It's a subtle throwback to the swinging mid-century ambience of yesteryear. We mentioned Austin Powers, but the secret-agent connection goes deeper. At least one real James Bond (well, as real as an actor's portrayal of 007 can be) enjoyed the St. Moritz nightlife back in the day. Roger Moore, who portrayed Bond in seven movies, stayed in St. Moritz while filming 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me." We have a feeling Bond, and Moore, would have been right at home at Billionaire. After hours, the venue transitions to an exclusive club experience.

Located in the Engandine region of Switzerland, St. Moritz is about four hours by train from Zurich Airport (ZRH). Drive time is about 2.5 hours. Alternatively, it takes about six hours by train from Italy's Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and drive time is just shy of three hours.