Suvretta House opened in 1912 having been built with the backing of an English investor. “In order to meet the deadline for completion, two building foremen worked on the project in tandem, competing with each other to see which could finish their part of the build first,” says Hotel Director Peter Egli. “As a result, the hotel was built within just 18 months and was able to take full advantage of Switzerland’s burgeoning tourist industry.”
The founding family still owns the Suvretta House, a five star hotel with 330 beds and 181 rooms and suites. Its design harks back to an age of grandeur, in particular its magnificent dining room with elegantly carved wood ceilings.
From the outside, the hotel looks like a fairytale castle and its location is just as magical. Surrounded by a natural park in the heart of the majestic skiing and hiking region of Suvretta-Corviglia, and just 2 km west of St. Moritz, Suvretta House offers a home from home far away from bustle and stress.
A private ski lift transports winter sports enthusiasts and hikers straight to the Suvretta chair lift and the ski slopes and hiking trails above. At the end of a day on the pistes, skiers can ski right to the hotel’s front door. Once inside, they are treated to all of the five star luxuries that may be expected in a hotel of this standard.
Swiss hospitality is famous the world over, and Suvretta House plays its part in ensuring that Switzerland’s reputation for friendliness and attention to detail is maintained. A staff of 175 in the summer season and 265 in the winter season attend to the hotel guests’ every need.
“We are a traditional, family hotel with more than a century of experience and history behind us,” says Mr. Egli. “Many of our guests have been with us as long as we have, with some following in the footsteps of their great-grandparents when they come here on holiday.”
What brings them back is a unique combination of ambience and service. Suvretta House caters to a discerning clientele and is at pains to ensure that its guests feel at home. The influence of its English roots can still be seen in the traditional afternoon tea that is served daily in the hotel lobby.
A full English breakfast can be enjoyed on the hotel terrace alongside the continental-style breakfast and Bircher muesli for which Switzerland is famous. “Hotel guests can choose to stay half board or eat à la carte in our restaurant,” adds Mr. Egli. “The English influence can also be felt in our hotel bar where we serve 39 different types of gin, two signature gins, as well as classic cocktails and aperitifs.”
Mr. Egli shares the running of the hotel with his wife Esther. Both had previously gained valuable experience in the hospitality sector in England before returning to Switzerland to take over the hotel.
“The majority of our guests are from Switzerland but we also have a significant number of visitors from Germany and England, as well as the USA, Israel and, increasingly, Asia,” says Mr. Egli. As many as 70% of our guests book directly with us rather than via online booking sites. This is a good situation, allowing us to cater flexibly to each guest’s individual needs.”
Individual service has always been the leitmotif of the hospitality sector. Suvretta House has constantly adapted its offer to the needs of its clients. As well as tourists, it also has extensive conference and banqueting facilities where events regularly take place, weddings, including exhibitions and cultural performances.
The hotel also welcomes its younger guests with a kid’s club and special menu. The house ski piste is also where the youngest visitors can take skiing lessons while their parents ski in the resort. There is also a spa with swimming pool and sauna which uses ilā spa products in its massage and beauty treatments.
“We want every guest to feel at home which is why we always welcome our guests personally to the hotel,” says Mr. Egli. “When they leave us, we are also there to wish them bon voyage and auf Wiedersehen.”