Tradition & History
Badrutt’s Palace: Only mountain resort in World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023
Words by Clare Thorp
Badrutt’s Palace is proud to have been named one of the world’s best places to stay.
Anyone who stays at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel knows how special it is. From its unique history and remarkable location in the Swiss mountains to its legendary service and world-class facilities, there is a reason why 65 per cent of its guests are return visitors. And now its reputation as one of the finest places to stay has been made official, with the celebrated establishment recently named as one of the best hotels in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels list recognises excellence in luxury travel across the globe. Launched in 2023, it is a sister event to the long-running The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars awards. “We’ve long felt the need and responsibility to celebrate the wider hospitality ecosystem, and as international travel has resumed once again, we could think of no better time than to bring The World’s 50 Best Hotels to life, shining a spotlight on another very important aspect of hospitality – hotels – and the many levels on which they operate, including the people and personalities behind them,” says Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director at The World’s 50 Best Hotels.
Image by reto Stähli
“Overall, the 50 Best lists are about celebrating and recognising talent, passion and teamwork, as well as providing a credible guide for discerning travellers.”
The list is voted for by a panel of 580 industry experts from around the world – comprising hoteliers, journalists and experienced luxury travellers – each chosen for their knowledge of the international hotel scene. There is a strict ‘no-pay-to-play’ policy; hotels cannot pay, apply or self-nominate in order to be considered. Every hotel in the world is eligible — there is no special criteria — and it is up to the anonymous voters to name their best hotel experiences.
“This list celebrates hotels from 35 destinations across six continents worldwide, from wellbeing sanctuaries and city icons to grand dames and buzzy new hotspots,” says Brooke-Webb “It is another step in The 50 Best’s journey towards becoming the ultimate global reference point for the very best hospitality experiences across the world, encompassing restaurants, bars and now hotels.”
Richard Leuenberger, Managing Director at Badrutt’s Palace, joined other leading hoteliers from across the world at a glamorous awards ceremony at the impressive Guildhall in London in September. “The award is new, but because of the unique judging criteria, the entire industry quickly realised what this award is really about: the very highest honour a hotel can currently receive,” says Leuenberger. “Anyone who was present at London’s Guildhall and was allowed to walk the red carpet at the awards ceremony felt: this is the Oscars of the hotel industry.”
MAKING AN IMPRESSION
Hotels from as far afield as Bangkok to Brisbane and the Maldives to Marrakesh made the list, but the Palace is unique for being the only mountain resort featured. Since opening in 1896, the hotel has offered its guests something special. First, there is its location in the centre of St. Moritz, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lake. Then there is the hotel’s legendary service, which ensures those staying feel more like friends than guests.
The hotel’s 155 guest rooms and suites include the three-storey Tower Penthouse Apartment in the hotel’s famous tower. Next year, an extension to the hotel is due to open, offering a further 25 luxurious rooms and suites, and will give guests the option of staying in the historic main house or a modern building across the street. The hotel has its own ice rink, while the Palace Wellness spa is known as one of Switzerland’s most luxurious. Guests can choose from 11 world-class restaurants, and there is an in-house wine cellar with more than 30,000 bottles. “It makes us proud to be one of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023,” says Leuenberger. “Every award you receive as a hotel is a special distinction. But to be included in the list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels is a very special honour. It shows us that our service, our philosophy, the extra miles we go to for our guests are bearing fruit.”
How the voting works…
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The World’s 50 Best Hotels is created from the votes of The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, which comprises 580 international well-travelled experts within the hotel and travel industry, with a 50/50 gender balance.
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The Academy is split into nine regions across the world, with each region headed up by an Academy Chair.
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All voters, aside from the Academy Chairs, remain anonymous to eliminate the possibility of lobbying.
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Voters are simply required to list the seven best hotels they have stayed in over the past 24 months in order of preference.
Published in February 2024
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