Carlton Hotel St. Moritz

Character and identity

A 1913 grande dame perched minutes above the town centre, the Carlton was reimagined in 2007 by Carlo Rampazzi, whose colour-saturated, theatrical hand turned the bones of the old hotel into something more playful than its peers along the lake. Every suite faces south, framing Lake St. Moritz and the Engadine peaks. The Bel Etage, with two historic open fireplaces and a grand piano, functions as the social heart, where afternoon tea on Russian porcelain or pink Rosenthal sets the tone. Expect butler service, a 24-hour limousine, and a three-floor spa with water features and mountain views.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The defining reason to book here is the south-facing, all-suite layout: there is no compromise room category, and every guest gets the lake and the mountains framed from bed. Splurge on a higher-floor suite if the budget allows, plan around the January and February events well in advance, and arrive via the Bernina Express for the approach itself.