Grace La Margna: Laidback Alpine Glamour with Art Nouveau Flair
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Discover Grace La Margna in St. Moritz, a luxury boutique hotel blending Art Nouveau heritage, contemporary design, Michelin-inspired dining, and a year-round alpine retreat near Lake St. Moritz. If you think St. Moritz is only for piste perfectionists, snow polo elites, or those who insist on a chihuahua in a Dior coat, think again. The latest addition to this iconic Swiss resort, Grace La Margna, makes it effortlessly clear that skiing is optional, glamour is mandatory, and lounging with a view is an art form.
About
Perched above Lake St. Moritz, Grace La Margna occupies a prime position in the town’s architectural and social landscape. Its restoration retains the elegance and curves of the original Art Nouveau structure, while the adjoining Grace Wing introduces clean, contemporary lines that cater to a cosmopolitan crowd.
London-based Divercity Architects led the redevelopment, blending respect for Engadin traditions with modern functionality. The result is a hotel that feels timeless yet distinctly relevant, appealing to both international travellers and the local scene.
Unlike traditional ski hotels, Grace La Margna is a year-round destination, where art fairs, cultural festivals, and après-ski socialising take centre stage alongside the slopes.
Style
From afternoon swims and spa indulgence to sunset cocktails at N°5, Grace La Margna makes the luxurious feel effortless. Staff in crisp white trainers, informal dress codes, and a youthful energy all contribute to a hotel that is timeless yet young at heart.
It’s where alpine opulence meets laidback social style — a destination for both relaxation and observation, where heritage meets contemporary glamour with a wink.
This is not just a hotel; it’s the revival of a landmark Art Nouveau building from 1906, painstakingly restored and joined by a contemporary wing. New hotel openings in St. Moritz are rarer than fresh snow in July, which makes Grace La Margna a particularly significant debut — the town’s first new luxury boutique hotel in over half a century.
Rooms & Suites
Grace La Margna houses 74 rooms and suites across two distinct wings, each offering a different interpretation of alpine luxury. The historic La Margna Wing preserves the building’s original Art Nouveau spirit, its carefully restored interiors echoing the elegance of early twentieth-century St. Moritz. Many of the 47 rooms here look out across Lake St. Moritz and the surrounding Engadin mountains, views that seem to change character with the light throughout the day. Interiors feel calm and residential rather than overtly opulent, with soft textures, natural materials and subtle references to the building’s heritage woven into the design. It’s the kind of space where you wake slowly, drawn to the window by the mountains rather than the alarm clock.
Across the hotel, the newer Grace Wing introduces a more contemporary perspective. Its 27 rooms and suites are defined by clean architectural lines and a palette of muted tones that allow the landscape outside to remain the visual focus. The design feels modern yet understated, prioritising comfort and flexibility, with several rooms able to interconnect for families or longer stays. At the top of the building sits the Grace Penthouse, arguably the hotel’s most indulgent offering, complete with a private rooftop terrace and Jacuzzi. From here the lake and mountains stretch out in every direction, creating the kind of view that persuades you to linger just a little longer each morning.
Across both wings, the philosophy is refreshingly restrained. Rather than overwhelming guests with excessive embellishment, the rooms allow space, light and scenery to do most of the work. The result feels quietly luxurious and deeply connected to the surrounding alpine landscape.
Food & Drink
Dining at Grace La Margna feels less like a traditional hotel experience and more like being welcomed into the town’s social orbit. Under the direction of General Manager David Frei, the hotel has positioned itself not as a closed resort but as a lively meeting place where locals and international visitors naturally gather throughout the day.
The culinary heart of the hotel is The View, where Mediterranean influences meet seasonal alpine ingredients in a menu designed for unhurried dining. Breakfast here unfolds slowly as sunlight spreads across Lake St. Moritz, while evenings bring a softer, more atmospheric energy as guests settle in for dinner with the mountains fading into silhouette outside the windows. The cooking is refined but relaxed, allowing flavours and ingredients to take centre stage rather than theatrical presentation.
Elsewhere, the hotel offers a variety of spaces that encourage guests to drift between moods rather than follow a rigid dining schedule. The Stack Brasserie brings a classic European brasserie feel, ideal for long lunches or a comforting dinner after a day on the slopes, while The Living Room delivers something altogether cosier. Centred around a fireplace and designed with the warmth of a private alpine residence, it’s the sort of space where conversations stretch into the evening over casual plates and good wine.
At the centre of the hotel’s social life sits N°5 – The Bar, a venue that has quickly established itself as one of St. Moritz’s most recognisable meeting spots. Set within the building’s original Art Nouveau structure yet layered with contemporary design, the space attracts a mix of international travellers, locals and the occasional snow polo regular. Live music and rotating DJs bring energy to the room at weekends, while the cocktail menu ensures there is always something worth lingering for. Sitting here with a drink, watching the ebb and flow of St. Moritz society, becomes part of the entertainment.
Spa & Wellness
Grace La Margna’s spa is a cocooning sanctuary amid icy surroundings. Water is central: the vitality pool, ultra-relaxing Wellness Shower, and hydrotherapy features offer the ultimate alpine reset.
Treatments are designed to soothe, refresh, and energise — perfect preparation for skiing or simply for lounging with lake views.
Culture Fix
Art is part of the hotel’s DNA. Even before opening, Grace La Margna hosted the NOMAD travelling art fair, integrating creativity into the guest experience. Inaugural Artist in Residence Adam Attew brings Alpine landscapes and contemporary pieces to the hotel walls, ensuring culture is as central as cocktails.
This cultural engagement mirrors St. Moritz’s evolution from seasonal ski resort to year-round lifestyle destination, attracting young, creative, and internationally minded visitors alongside the traditional jet set.
Getting There
Arriving from Zurich, the journey itself is unforgettable. A train to Chur connects with the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO-listed route winding through valleys, glaciers, 196 bridges, and 55 tunnels across 80 miles of Swiss grandeur. By the time St. Moritz comes into view, the scenery alone has done half the holiday’s work.
Skiing & Alpine Adventures
Grace La Margna sits within striking distance of 88 alpine trails, yet only about 40% of visitors actually hit the slopes. Winter festivals, snow polo, and social events draw as many spectators as skiers.
I opted for a private ski lesson from St. Moritz Ski School, perfect for novices. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned skier, the mountains offer thrills, while the town provides culture, dining, and people-watching aplenty.
Rooms at Grace La Margna start from approximately CHF 600 per night depending on the season.
Check availability and book your stay at Grace La Margna – Reservations
Written by Esohe Ebohon