Badrutt's Palace Hotel - St Moritz, Switzerland

The hotel was opened in 1896 by Caspar Badrutt, with a chateau theme reflecting the romantic era of the “Grand European Tour”. Caspar was the second son of Johannes Badrutt, who himself founded winter tourism in St. Moritz as the result of a bet. Like his father, Caspar had a strong sense of family and invited his son Hans back to St. Moritz and the hotel in 1898; at the time, Hans was traveling abroad to gain hotel experience. Hans took over management of the hotel in 1904. Inheriting the Badrutt pioneering spirit, Hans was courageous. On his travels, he took the Palace name with him far beyond the borders of Europe, establishing the foundations for its fashionable reputation all over the world. When Hans died in 1953, his wife Helen and eldest son Andrea took over the reins. Helen introduced the “Palace Balls” while Andrea welcomed the American jet set with open arms. The hotel’s international reputation soared.