GRACE LA MARGNA ST MORITZ To Open
The iconic St. Moritz hotel La Margna, dating from 1906, will re-open its doors in winter 2022/23 under its new name, GRACE LA MARGNA ST MORITZ. As a symbol of local tourism and of the surrounding townscape, the hotel sits majestically above the local railway station, with a panoramic view over Lake St. Moritz. Thanks to an investment of over 70 million Swiss Francs, the hotel will now see the addition of a new, modern extension with new rooms and an extensive spa area, next to the original historic Art Nouveau building. The extension to the hotel comes from the hands of London-based Divercity Architects and architects Blarer & Reber from Samedan, Switzerland.
The luxury boutique hotel will be divided into two parts: the historic LA MARGNA WING and the modern GRACE WING. It will have a total of 74 spacious rooms and suites to choose from. For those looking for a culinary experience out of the ordinary, GRACE LA MARGNA ST MORITZ houses several restaurants with different food concepts, from fine dining to a restaurant with a show kitchen and a pizza oven. The bar in the lobby lounge is the beating heart of the hotel, and is set to become a new St. Moritz hotspot, offering a vibrant space for guests and international travelers to mingle with the local crowds. The luxurious spa, complete with a 20-metre pool, several saunas and various wellness areas in light-flooded rooms, as well as a well-equipped, 100-square-metre Kids Club, are among the hotel’s many other highlights. The re-opening will also pave the way for exclusive brand collaborations and local partnerships, driven by the hotel’s connection to the local community in St. Moritz and to Switzerland in general, as well as its uncompromising dedication to high-quality standards.
General Manager David Frei is understandably looking forward to the re-opening next year:
“The GRACE LA MARGNA ST MORITZ will not be a classic luxury hotel. We are striving to become the first luxury and lifestyle boutique hotel in St. Moritz. The hotel should invite you to immerse yourself in the Engadin valley; every sense will be stimulated, in particular thanks to our personal and attentive service offering. But most importantly, we consciously aim at doing many things differently and to surprise.”
The hotel is open all year round and welcomes singles, couples, and families alike. The price in a double room including breakfast starts from 450,00 Swiss Francs. For more information, please visit http://www.gracestmoritz.ch/, call +41 81 832 22 10 or email welcome@gracestmoritz.ch.
A CONTEMPORARY HOTSPOT IN ST. MORITZ
GRACE LA MARGNA ST MORITZ is the first property of the newly created Grace Hotels brand. The estate was privately acquired in 2020 by owners who have since remodeled it extensively. The name "Grace" hints at exclusive style and service for discerning guests, and is intended to emphasise elegance, grace, refinement, lightness, and the innovative approach of the hotel. La Margna is the original name of the hotel, and signals its historic importance, and the very origin of tourism in St. Moritz.
Striking a balance between the conservative and the innovative, creating these contrasts of young and old, and combining the dynamic and the calm, was a particular challenge. The original building was drawn by the renowned St. Moritz architect Nicolaus Hartmann, who was also responsible for the RHB company headquarters in Chur, the St. Moritz railway station, and other hotels in Graubünden, at the turn of the century. His signature columns with engravings and striking colour concepts are still preserved to this day, preserved for added splendour in the new hotel.
The new architecture adapts wonderfully to the surrounding landscape; the hillside site with a view of Lake St. Moritz has influenced the building’s design, combining old and new. A series of terraces follow the natural slope and allows the discreet extension of the building to blend harmoniously into the landscape. Deliberately unobtrusive, this new wing allows the original architecture to shine, while making the very best of the breathtaking Alpine backdrop. Panoramic windows and bright open interiors create a sense of light and space, providing a deliberate contrast to the surrounding dark, wood-clad chalets and opulent grand palaces.
Nicolas Travasaros of Divercity Architects describes the project as follows: "The biggest challenge for us was to create a dialogue between the historic heritage and the contemporary requirements of a 21st century hotel – and make it look harmonious." The lavishly restored historic part of the building, LA MARGNA WING, still contains a large number of original decorative elements from the Art Nouveau period. It bears witness to the spirit of the birth of winter tourism and the flair of the world-famous resort of St. Moritz.
The 47 rooms and suites in this wing offer a view of the lake and the Engadin mountains. The GRACE WING, which is connected to the historic building, creates an exciting architectural contrast of its own with its distinctly purist appearance. The 27 spacious rooms and suites can be individually connected in different ways. The loggias offer additional comfort with views over the lake and the mountain landscape. On the top floor, the Grace Penthouse Suite boasts of more than 260 square metres, with three bedrooms and a private roof terrace, as well as its own jacuzzi.
For the hungry, the GRACE LA MARGNA ST MORITZ offers a wealth of options for all tastes; vegetarians, vegans and meat lovers alike can explore various restaurants and cafés, the Culinary Pop-up or the terrace, all available almost around the clock for all guests. The new bar is the heart of the hotel, housing contemporary interiors, neatly set within the Art Nouveau walls. Here, cocktail culture meets live music and modern spirits meet theatrical performances. The spa, with views of the surrounding mountain panorama, extends over 700 square metres and features its own avant-garde design. Two saunas, a hammam, a private spa suite, as well as a spa lounge and several treatment rooms here welcome you and invite you for relaxation at your own pace. Finally, the fitness area, complete with the latest equipment, and a ski room with maintenance service means that no guest’s need is left unattended, just as the hotel also offers numerous outdoor activities in both summer and winter.
