Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Location
St. Moritz
Switzerland, Europe
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Key Highlights
- ✓Breakfast Service Speed:** One reviewer noted that while the breakfast buffet was excellent, the service for clearing dishes was occasionally slow.
Expert Review: Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains
The Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains in St. Moritz, Switzerland, is a distinguished five-star property renowned for its blend of historic charm, modern luxury, and exceptional service, earning it a Michelin One-Key distinction.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with the hotel frequently described as an "unforgettable" and "luxurious" experience, highly recommended for those seeking a high-end stay in St. Moritz. It boasts a high user rating of 9.4 out of 10. The hotel successfully combines an "old-world charm and elegant luxury" with modern amenities, creating a refined yet relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise the hotel's impeccable service, stunning location, and extensive amenities. Key highlights include its "impeccable service", "stunning surroundings", and a "luxurious and comfortable stay". The hotel's 2,800 sq. m spa, with four saunas, a steam bath, an indoor pool, and a separate Ladies Spa, is a significant draw, often cited as a highlight, especially for families. Its proximity to ski lifts and Lake St. Moritz is also highly valued. Furthermore, the hotel uniquely offers access to the medicinal, mineral-rich Mauritius Spring water directly from its source.
3. Room Quality
The hotel offers 184 rooms and suites, ranging from Classic Single rooms to large suites, and also includes 40 residences. Rooms are generally described as elegant, traditional, and comfortable, featuring ample light and often decorated with old black and white ski photos. Many rooms provide "sweeping rapturous vistas of St. Moritz's Alpine setting", with some offering balconies and mountain views. Recently renovated rooms showcase a contemporary Swiss alpine charm, incorporating warm wood tones, cool marble bathrooms, and a Scandinavian design aesthetic. Thoughtful touches like ample closet space and exterior hooks for outerwear are appreciated. However, some unrenovated rooms have been noted to have an interior design that feels somewhat dated, reminiscent of the 1990s. Attic rooms may have lower ceilings and smaller windows, though they still offer good views and more floor space.
4. Dining Experience
The Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains offers a diverse and high-quality dining experience across its several restaurants and bars.
- Cà d'Oro: This fine dining establishment holds a Michelin star and 17 Gault Millau points, specializing in gourmet Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on European culinary art and quality produce. It operates during the winter season.
- Grand Restaurant Les Saisons: The main restaurant serves an "exquisite breakfast buffet" and à la carte options for lunch and dinner. The breakfast is particularly lauded as "magnificent" and possibly the "best breakfast spread in St. Moritz," featuring a wide variety of hot dishes, fresh pastries, fruits, cheeses, cold cuts, a live egg chef, and fresh-pressed orange juice. The grill restaurant within Les Saisons, offering international steaks, is included in half-board options.
- Ristorante Da Adriano: A popular Italian restaurant offering delicious pasta and seafood in a cozy, Victorian-style setting, often highlighted as a memorable dining experience.
- Kempinski Bar & Lobby: This sophisticated spot is perfect for cocktails, afternoon tea, and light meals, including sushi and Indian dishes. It features a lively atmosphere, often with live music or a DJ in the evenings.
- Enoteca Bar: Offers "Alps Tapas" and innovative Swiss dishes in a historic medallion hall. The hotel is also praised for its detailed attention to dietary restrictions.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains consistently receive glowing reviews. Guests describe the team as "amazing," "excellent," "outstanding," "friendly," "courteous," and "extremely helpful". Many commend the staff for going "above and beyond to ensure their guests are happy at all times" and for their "fabulous service". The check-in process is smooth, and the concierge service is frequently highlighted as exceptional, assisting with everything from luggage to ski tours and transfers.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel is ideally situated in St. Moritz Bad, a prime location that offers both tranquility and convenience. It's a short "four minute walk from the St Moritz Bad tram station that accesses the Corviglia ski area", and also just a few minutes' walk from ski lifts and Lake St. Moritz. While a 20-minute stroll from the resort town's gourmet and shopping center, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to the train station and various slopes, including Corvatsch, enhancing accessibility for guests. St. Moritz itself is easily reachable by train or a 2.5-3 hour drive from Zurich and Milan airports.
7. Value & Pricing
As a luxury five-star hotel in a premier destination like St. Moritz, the Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains commands premium pricing. Average nightly rates for a 5-star hotel in St. Moritz are around $1,362. Prices at the Kempinski can fluctuate significantly, ranging from approximately $664 in the low season (e.g., September) to over $3,462 for a weekend night during the high season (e.g., December). Despite the high cost, some reviews suggest that the hotel offers "exceptional value for money" for its level of opulence and world-class amenities, especially compared to the average hotel room price in St. Moritz.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:
- Room Design: A few guests have mentioned that certain unrenovated rooms had an interior design that felt somewhat outdated. Additionally, attic rooms are described as having lower ceilings and smaller windows, which might be less desirable for taller guests.
- Breakfast Service Speed: One reviewer noted that while the breakfast buffet was excellent, the service for clearing dishes was occasionally slow.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
