24 Hours at the Hotel Walther, Pontresina
It was a turning point in my life and right in time for my birthday I needed a vacation. Germany and Austria have been in their third and fourth lockdown with shops, restaurants and hotels being shut down, it didn’t take long until I knew where my next getaway was going. Switzerland seemed to be the last haven for luxury holidays and St Moritz would be ideal for this two-night trip being only four hours from Munich. This would also be a great opportunity to see a longtime friend again and combine it with a bit of relaxation. Having stayed at almost every grand hotel in St Moritz, I was in for a more cosy and laid-back luxury hotel. Apparently, I remembered my first stay at Hotel Walther which was an honest 10/10 and was sure, this would be the right place for a stay during a pandemic.
Not only is it one of the last family-owned high-end hotels in Switzerland, but it is also a member of Relais & Chateaux, my all-time favourite hotel & restaurant association. The Walther family had a very interesting approach to how they got to own the hotel. Originally in 1945, Hans and Mary Walther were tenants of the Palace (today Hotel Walther) and the neighbouring hotel Steinbock. With the economic success and Pontresina becoming a ski resort in 1956, the Walther family had the chance to buy the hotel Walther-Palace. Another generation later, the name was changed to Hotel Walther only, not needing to compete with the nearby grand hotels of dazzling St. Moritz. With its unique positioning, it became part of Relais & Chateaux in 1993. Most of the Hotel Walther we love today was introduced by the third generation, Thomas and Anne-Rose Walther. These two are pioneers and have turned a classic Swiss luxury hotel into a world-class property with a competitive Corporate Identity including a fresh makeover of the public areas and rooms.
It rarely happens that hotels in the alps have a perfectly matching interior design. I am sure you know what I mean by looking at selected hotels. Hotel Walther truly meets all the criteria of a perfect interior design checklist. Together with interior designer Virginia Maissen, Thomas and Anne-Rose Walther did an incredible job renovating the property during a 3.3 million francs makeover incorporating Swiss themes (like the milk pots in the bar) and traditional Belle Epoque elements (like at the Grand Restaurant). At the lobby, you are welcomed by one huge white marble square serving as the front desk and when you have a coffee in the lobby lounge you feel like in a chic café in Milan or London. Imagine these impressions upon arrival. That’s how I felt when I was having an alcohol-free Gin Tonic while checking in. I haven’t even had a sip of my drink when the paperwork was done. I love efficient check-ins – I mean you aren’t staying at a hotel to spend most of the time at the front desk, even if it looks as sexy as the one at Hotel Walther.
My room was located on one of the higher floors and while last time I stayed in their largest suite, this time was as exciting being able to check out one of the recently renovated rooms. The blue tones match the dark red perfectly and add a very sophisticated touch to the alpine vibes. There was an array of welcome amenities, including homemade chocolate, a typical Engadine nut cake, and a handwritten note – a welcome worth 10/10 again. Despite the small looking bathroom, overall the room felt very spacious and I wouldn’t mind spending a week in this room considering that nature and surroundings have so much to offer here in Pontresina. Of course, I didn’t wait long to change into the bathrobe and head to the spa, which has been one of the main reasons for my stay this time.
To be honest, it felt wrong to be swimming and enjoying the sauna while all countries around Switzerland were in a hard lockdown, where people are not even allowed to leave their homes after a certain hour. On the other hand, it is still our job to inspect hotels and help you find the right places to stay during and after this pandemic. Even though also guests of the nearby hotel Steinbock have access to the spa, it never felt too crowded and after breakfast, I was also the only guest in the indoor pool. Overall I loved both parts, the indoor pool with the warm jacuzzi as well as the sauna area with two different saunas, a steam bath and a salt cave. It has been the perfect place to recharge batteries from the last five months of not having had a single spa or relaxation moment. I was so happy swimming legs in the vast indoor pool with 7 x 14 meters and felt that the temperature of the water was just perfect.
After such a great day, I was awaited in the Grand Restaurant. During my last stay with my colleague Thomas, we inspected “La Trattoria” – their Italian dining outlet. A glass of bubbling Franciacorta accompanied the first course which was a yellow bell pepper soup. The next course was a wonderful trout fillet with liquid and solid carrot, peas and garlic crostini. Before the main course, they served something more refreshing: a tomato-egg salad with onion dressing. My personal highlight was the sliced tagliata of Swiss beef with a black barbeque gravy, a Belgian waffle and caramelized oven vegetables. The entire dish was perfectly seasoned and flawlessly balanced. Highlighting the great five-course menu, I was surprised with a Crème brûlée with strawberry sorbet on a crispy base and mint. Even though the menu was sumptuous, I felt like it would be a mistake to stay in Switzerland and not having tried one of their excellent cheese from the cheese trolley. For all those, staying more than two nights or who are already familiar with the Grand Restaurant and La Trattoria, I highly recommend their Gondolezza restaurant serving the finest Fondue and Raclette! Guests are seated in an old cable car that enjoyed a very special transport from the old Diavolezza cable car station.
Last but not least, let me say that I felt very safe during my stay at Hotel Walther. They are doing a great job to keep the safety standards high. There are hand sanitisers at every corner of the hotel, elevators have to be used by only guests of one room and in the restaurants there is enough space (plus glass walls) between the tables. Guests can either ask the staff for the buffet products to be brought to the table or select them by themselves with hand gloves and a face mask. Once again, it’s been a perfect stay with a very dedicating staff and a warm welcome by the Walther family. I always love the personal touch by Thomas and Anne-Rose Walther, they greet every guest personally at check-in and try to have a conversation with each guest during dinner. It is such a rare sight during times of huge hotel chains and less personal interaction. I can also highly recommend the neighbouring Hotel Steinbock, which is Walther family’s more laid-back property for people travelling on a tighter budget but not wanting to miss stylish accommodation in a perfect location.
I was a guest of the Hotel Walther and the Walther family, however all above represents my own opinion and hasn’t been influenced.
