Switzerland, June 2022 – So often people ask : do you prefer to go to the beach or head to the mountains for your summer holidays? There's no need to make a choice if you stay at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz (www.kulm.com), as Switzerland's Engadine valley has a network of freshwater lakes nestled amid majestic mountain peaks. And each lake has its own character – and purpose – so that visitors can experience all the perks of a coastal holiday while also having an array of Alpine activities, such as hiking and e-biking, on their door step.

Lake Silvaplana, for example, is the home of the colourful kite- and wind-surfers, who make the most of the reliable Maloja wind that springs up in the valley with the precision of a Swiss watch just before noon to dart across the water.

Silvaplana is the real deal. It was here that Andrea Kuhn, runner-up world paragliding champion in 1987, became the first kite surfer in the world; he took off from the Corvatsch Glacier high above the Engadine valley and, after a spectacular flight, touched down on the lake before gracefully gliding across it as a kite-surfer. The Swiss Kitesurf school was the first of its kind to open in Switzerland (and one of the first in the world) when it launched in 1990 and, within walking distance, Windsurfing Silvaplana, offers similar services and amenities to wind-surfers, including private and group lessons.  

Lake St. Moritz, which is overlooked by the Kulm Hotel, is where many choose to learn how to sail at the St. Moritz Sailing Club. With steady winds, a first-class infrastructure and facilities, as well as the magnificent setting, this is an ideal place to acquire an inland/sheltered waters sailing certificate in a week. Courses are available for children, as well as adults.

Those who prefer to take life at a slower pace can always hire a stand-up paddleboard on Lake St. Moritz (or Lake Silvaplana in the morning before the Maloja picks up), while those in search of a natural swimming pool will want to head to Lej da Staz or Lej Marsch, two of the smallest Engadine lakes and therefore the warmest. Both lakes are idyllically situated in the midst of the great outdoors, giving visitors a chance to really get away from it all and connect with nature. Lej Marsch even has a sandy beach – at 1812 metres above sea level!

Back at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz after a long day of outdoor activities, the in-house spa provides multiple opportunities to continue with water therapy, whether it's a swim in the indoor lap pool, a session in the heated outdoor pool with its various water jets while being mesmerised by the stunning view of the valley or a hydro-massage or herbal bath in one of the treatment rooms.

In the 19th century, St. Moritz was a very popular summer holiday destination, to which loyal customers retreated year after year “to take the waters” of the valley's healing springs that date back almost 3,500 years.  Today, the stunning natural landscape, with its glaciers, creeks, rivers, lakes and snow-capped peaks, plus the modern spa facilities offered by the hotel, make it the perfect place to enjoy the best of both worlds – the mountains and the water. 

Room rates at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz start from CHF655 (approx £540) for two people sharing a double room on a half-board basis and including unlimited access to the Kulm Spa St. Moritz and all the open mountain railways. To book, call +41 81 836 8000, email info@kulm.com or visit www.kulm.com

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Notes for Editors 

Kulm Hotel St. Moritz (www.kulm.com) was the first hotel to be built in St. Moritz. The Kulm Hotel opened its doors in 1856 and immediately became popular for summer spa and painting holidays, particularly among the British who comprised around 75% of the hotel guests. The then owner of the Kulm Hotel, Johannes Badrutt, initiated winter holidays to St. Moritz from 1864 and, as a result, the hotel, resort and Switzerland itself celebrated 150 years of winter tourism in the 2014/15 season.

Since the 19th century, the Kulm Hotel has changed considerably through expansion and renovation, but the fabulous location at the heart of St. Moritz with views over the Lake remains the same. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz has 164 rooms, six restaurants (including formal dining in the Grand Restaurant, the Italian Pizzeria with 14 Gault Millau points and local Engadine specialities at Chesa al Parc) of which four are open in summer; the extensive  Kulm Spa St. Moritz (with a 20m indoor pool with underwater music, various saunas and steam room, a Jacuzzi, a fully-equipped gym and treatment rooms, all with stunning views over Lake St. Moritz); and six conference rooms, with capacities ranging from 50 to 500 people.

Entertainment and summer sports facilities include the 9-hole Kulm Golf Course St. Moritz (the oldest golf course in the country), three tennis courts and the Marmotta Kids' Club for younger guests.

Recent awards for the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz include:
2022      TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award and Best of the Best Award
               Forbes Travel Guide Award 2022 (as well as 2019, 2020 & 2021)

2021       A Michelin star for “the K by Mauro Colagreco” at Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
               Connoisseur Circle – Best Hotels in Switzerland for active guests
               SonntagZeitung Hotel Rating – 2nd place in the list of 25 best five-star hotels in Switzerland
               Bilanz Concierge of the Year award – Head Concierge Cornelius Haug
               TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Best of the Best Award
               Falstaff Hotel Guide – 99/100 points, top three hotels in Switzerland
2020      Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Award – Best Hotels in Europe

2019       A Michelin star for “the K by Tim Raue” & 17 GaultMillau points
Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards – 4th in the Top 20 Hotels in Central Europe category
Connoisseur Circle – Best Hospitality Grand Hotel
TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award, Hall of Fame and Certificate of Excellence

2018      GaultMillau Hotel of the Year
Bilanz Chef of the Year – Claudia Canessa
TrustYou: Award of Excellence
Top rating in the hotel rankings of SonntagsZeitung, the renowned Swiss newspaper
Trivago National Award
Private Luxury Hotel of the Year at The World Luxury Hotel Awards
Weltwochen Ranking No.

Both the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and its sister property Grand Hotel Kronenhof are owned by the Niarchos family.

For more information, hi res images & to organise a review visit, please contact:
Sue Heady
Director
Heady Communications
T: 01608 651 692
M: 078 5595 0705
E: sue@headycommunications.com