Kulm Hotel

In 1856, Johannes Badrutt and his wife Maria Berry rented the Pension Faller – today’s Kulm Hotel St. Moritz – with 12 rooms for CHF 2,000 per year. From then on, he called the house "Engadiner Kulm." Just two years later, in 1858, Johannes Badrutt purchased the Engadiner Kulm. The purchase price of 28,500 francs was a significant financial risk. It was the first hotel in St. Moritz and later became the birthplace of winter tourism. One year later, the hotel was expanded by two floors, and the addition of turrets and towers gave the building a palace-like appearance. Over the following years, the hotel was continuously expanded. The first electric light illuminated the Dining Room of Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. In 1878, Badrutt and his son visited the world exhibition in Paris, where the first arc lamps were presented. Immediately after his return, he built a hydroelectric power plant to light the house on 18th July 1879. Construction of the legendary Cresta Run on the premises of Kulm Hotel St. Moritz – a natural ice channel for skeleton. The oldest sports bar in the Alps, the Sunny Bar, opened its doors and is still home to the Cresta riders today. The west wing was built in collaboration with architect Nicolaus Hartmann, and the concept of a hotel lobby was introduced, which cannot be omitted in any hotel. Toilets, hydraulic elevators, as well as heating and electric ventilation, were also installed. The St. Moritz Tobogganing Club, which was associated with the Cresta Run, was founded. Johannes Badrutt's last pioneering act: The first public telephone network with 24 local connections in Switzerland was installed in Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. After the death of the hotel pioneer, his son Peter Robert Badrutt founded Badrutt and Cie, which was renamed to AG Grand Hotels Engadiner Kulm in 1905. In the year 1896, the hotel’s 9-hole Kulm Executive Golf Course was built - the highest golf course in the Alps. In the winter of 1903/04 the construction of the Olympic Bob Run begins, opening its doors in January 1904. The Olympic Bob Run is a natural ice channel and venue of World Cups and Olympic Games until today. The first Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz. The opening ceremonies, as well as figure skating and ice hockey competitions, took place in the Kulm Park. Anton Robert Badrutt took over the management of Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and re-opened the Neukulm during the Second World War. The second Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz. The opening ceremonies and various sports events took place in the Kulm Park. Albert Ernst-von-Pfyffer purchased Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, and Fred Herrling took over the management of the hotel until 1972. In 1968, another change of ownership took place: Stavros Niarchos bought Kulm Hotel St. Moritz when Club Mediterannée signalled purchase interest. Renovation of the hotel entrance and lobby. Decoration in "Trompe l'oeil" style by Renzo Mongiardino. At the same time a new ski room and sport boutique are built. With saunas, steam bath, brine grotto, whirlpool, fitness room, and treatment rooms, including renovation of the swimming pool. In 2003, the construction of Residence II, with 21 luxury apartments begins and the Sunny Bar is redesigned and renovated. Furthermore, 26 rooms were remodelled in local Engadin style by 2005, and in 2009 the Kulm’s main kitchen was completely renovated. Furthermore, new windows and elevators were installed throughout the hotel. In 2012, the Kulm Spa was redesigned, renovated, and extended to 2'000 m Heinz E. Hunkeler, son of Heinz Hunkeler and his wife Jenny Hunkeler took over the management of Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. Soon thereafter they establish a new food concept, turning the restaurant „Rotisserie des Chevaliers” into the gourmet restaurant the K. In summer 2015, the hotel takes on the full refurbishment of the Neukulm building with 26 rooms and suites in cooperation with star architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, finished in December. The end-result is newly create