What it is

An old-world stunner at the base of the Engadin slopes.

What it isn't

Clubby and hip; this one is for cheese, chocolate, cheese, and cheese.

What we think

You might expect a grand dame to be a little tired at 154 years old, but consider the 187-room Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains young at heart—and fully caffeinated. Long a pampering playground for Brits, the hotel is the kind of place that does everything solidly well, from high tea (with cocktails) in the lobby to the form-meets-function guest-rooms, awash in blonde woods and calming neutrals—with eye-popping views of the surrounding Alps. Don’t miss the spa, where you can take reviving walks in the Kniepp stream in between your spells in the sauna.

You're here because

Given the chance to stay in a fairytale castle, you’re going to take it.

The Moment

The only thing better than hiking the surrounding foothills is heading to the hotel’s Swiss Chalet for resuscitation, in the form of Viennese coffee and gugelhupf (bundt cake) that’s so springy it must have been baked by a local oma.

Restaurants & Bars

Les Saisons - International cuisine, steaks,

Enoteca - Lifestyle restaurant, regional & Mediterranean cuisine

Ca d'Oro - Gourmet Mediterranean cuisine

Kempinski Lobby Bar - One the first evening, head to the Kempinski bar. Here, it is always the right time and atmosphere. Throughout the day, the bar is more classic with high tea (with contemporary inspirations), fine Swiss pastries and the eternal club sandwich classic.

In the evening, it is rather stylish. The DJ’s tunes and the rhythmic shaking of cocktails set the tone. The cocktail menu is based on the classics. The selection of rarities is considered to be the best in all of Switzerland and the champagne – or the “Cüpli”, as a glass of champagne is called in Switzerland – is always iced.

Location

Between Zurich, Munich and Milan, in a crux of the Upper Engadine. Many guests arrive the old-fashioned way, on the Rhätische Bahn railway.