With travel looking a looking a little different at present, travellers are in search of destinations that not only exceed their expectations in terms of amenities and services, but that also offer unique experiences that center around privacy and safety, and this is exactly what the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz provides.
As has always been customary, this iconic five-star Engadine retreat has held privacy to the highest degree. Its distinctive, all-suite offering means that space and privacy are always granted, giving guests the peace of mind to truly unwind. The hotel’s penthouse suite, which is the biggest suite in St. Moritz, is the pinnacle of privacy and grandeur. With a 360-degree view of snow-dusted St. Moritz, this sumptuous suite comes complete with its own kitchen that’s perfect for private dining, as well as a private butler and an automatic exclusive-use spa suite. With this level of seclusion, you’ll feel like you’re in your own home, yet in a location as spell-binding as they come.
Service is an integral factor in the Carlton experience, and it’s the kind of service that travelers truly seek – discreet and anticipatory, with the perfect amount of warmth. Private butlers are available to each guest, and unique to Carlton Hotel St. Moritz, there is an outdoor butler available to accompany guests on individual outdoor experiences.
In addition to the sublime suites and superior service, the hotel brings further joy with its epicurean delights. Two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Da Vittorio serves the most delectable Lombardic specialties as conceived by the revered Cerea Brothers, which are especially enjoyable after a day out on the slopes. The hotel’s Fondue Gondolas, which are a special winter pop up, are a must visit, offering a unique, fun and delicious foodie experience overlooking Lake St. Moritz and the Swiss mountains.
Along with the usual excitement of slope-side activities, the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz has specially curated a range of one-of-a-kind experiences for this winter season, designed to help guests take some respite from everyday life and reconnect with nature. Adapting to the times, the hotel invites guests to indulge in two very rare yet very pertinent treasures: time and attention. At this most exclusive of winter retreats, guests can comfortably and safely take a moment to slow down and consciously enjoy precious moments with friends and family.
This year, the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz is moving the spotlight away from the slopes, and shining a light on the rest of the region’s natural beauty through meticulously curated experiences, which include forest bathing, torch walking and jewelry creation. Bringing back the elation of childhood memories spent frolicking in the water, the forest bathing excursion is a truly memorable experience that enables guests to reconnect with nature on a different level. Calming the body and the mind, forest bathing makes us aware once again of nature’s majesty how it works in harmony with us.
Led on guided walk by the hotel’s butler to observe the remarkable celestial bodies at play in the clear Engadine sky, the torchwalk offers guests a different perspective of humans in relation to the rest of the universe. By gazing into the night sky and seeing the powers of nature constantly at work, guests are offered a moment of reflection, a rarity in today’s busy lifestyle.
The jewelry creation excursion is an unusual and stimulating experience that encourages guests to learn more about a craft so dearly loved by many. In collaboration with KOENIG®, guests are invited to take a behind the scenes glimpse at how the brand’s treasured pieces of jewelry are created. After being inspired by these artisans, guests may be tempted to invest in a beautiful new accessory which is sure to become a sentimental item for life, reminding them of a special moment in time spent in the mountains at the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz.
Key to these extraordinary experiences, and the rest of the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz’s offering, is General Manager Mr. Philippe D. Clarinval. It is thanks to his dedication and tireless efforts that the hotel continues on its legendary name and distinguished reputation. Not only does Mr. Clarinval’s professional background and experience – which includes working at some of the world’s most notable establishments – go beyond that of a General Manager, but he is too continuously involved in leadership activities and hospitality academia. Some of his achievements include being a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Liverpool, completing the executive Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford and obtaining a teaching certificate for higher education at Harvard University.
FOUR sits down with Mr. Clarinval to get an insider’s look at Carlton Hotel St. Moritz:
What does luxury mean to you and your team, and how is this incorporated into guests’ experience at the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz?
Because we live and work in a world of luxury, many people are interested in our opinion about it and what luxury means to us. Evidently, our hotels are superbly designed, and the furnishings are out of the ordinary, but luxury is so much more. To us, luxury represents time, indulgence, inspiration or space. Now, more than ever, our mindsets have changed. Luxury can be something that we used to take for granted in the past and don’t have anymore. At the Carlton, luxury falls into many categories. It can comprise experiences that aim to inspire and remain unforgettable, an excellent night sleep or some dishes that surprise positively.
We keep these factors in mind when we curate our guests’ journey so that our guests get the most out of their time spent with us.
What are the main aspects of the hotel that make it stand out against others in St. Moritz?
It is probably the location, slightly out of the town centre, and the views. All our suites face the lake and offer ample space to indulge and feel safe at the same time. The particularity to have only suites comes as a significant advantage because all public areas are majestic.
Tell us more about St. Moritz through your eyes – it is already a popular tourist destination, but what are the truly special (possibly undiscovered) aspects of the area that make it a must-visit destination?
I have always been in love with the Engadine and the beauty and the richness of nature.
There are so many possibilities to enjoy time and space in both the Engadine and St. Moritz. I believe that it is the cosmopolitan image that is the most fascinating during the winter months. What I like most though are the hikes in the surrounding forests for the day and the plethora of gourmet restaurants for the evening. Since I am an epicurean and want to contemplate, it is the interplay between food and the tranquility of the nature that I find most appealing.
There are, however, many more exciting things to do for active guests. My favourites are cross country skiing in the Val Roseg; it is beautiful, and you feel a real connection with nature while recharging your batteries after you’ve emptied them.
Above health and safety measures, what else do you think is the most important to guests when they book accommodation and how do you factor this into the Carlton St. Moritz experience?
I think that reconnecting with oneself and beloved ones is critical.
While social distance is the key priority, we shouldn’t forget to seek closeness differently. For this, the Carlton is an ideal place. It is away from the main street and crowds. Once you’re at the hotel, you really feel like you’re in a safe bubble.
Do you have many returning guests and if so, what do you think it is about the hotel that makes guests come back time after time?
Our number of returning guests is continually increasing, and I think that the guests particularly enjoy that our team is young and passionate about their work and the purpose thereof.
I feel that their own motivation drivers to work at the Carlton are aligned with the reasons why our guests visit us year after year. Our purpose is to “restore time’s true value through experiences that inspire, turning the unexpected into unforgettable moments”. And this resonates in everyone’s hearts.
What emotions and memories do you hope guests will leave the hotel with, and how do you and the team foster this?
Our guests’ emotions result directly from our passion for living our purpose. My biggest wish is to see the spark in their eyes, seeing them rejuvenate and enjoy every single moment to the fullest. I desire that they return home, with the wish to return as soon as possible. All my friends, who visit the Engadine always say that the relaxation factor in St. Moritz is unparalleled. Three days here feel like two weeks on an island.
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To find out more, visit the Carlton Hotel St Moritz’s website.