Hailed as the ‘living room of St. Moritz’, Badrutt’s Palace has been defining Alpine hospitality and the destination itself since opening in 1896. Badrutt’s Palace, wins SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award at The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026. The first of two special accolades announced ahead of the official awards ceremony on Tuesday 15 September, the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award is the result of votes from the 800-plus-strong Academy, who were each asked to name the hotel where they received their single-best hospitality experience within the newly extended three-year voting period.
This award celebrates the indefinable and invaluable magic that goes towards ensuring guests feel taken care of. It is designed to reward a property and its entire staff for the hotel’s outstanding service and attention to detail, from the reception desk to housekeeping, amenities and food and beverage teams. Voters were asked to consider factors including – but not limited to – the ambience created in the hotel, the delivery of unique experiential elements and the overall warmth of the hospitality and environment.
Badrutt’s Palace was founded by Caspar Badrutt in 1896 and has since been referred to as the living room of St. Moritz thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and stunning panoramic views. The hotel has played a defining role in putting St. Moritz on the map, transforming a mountain village to a global institution. A turreted neo-Gothic palace perched at 1,830 metres above Lake St. Moritz, it has welcomed royalty, artists, athletes and global tastemakers for more than a century, including Alfred Hitchcock, a visitor whose Suite 501 remains one of the hotel’s most storied addresses.
This is a rare independent grand hotel that honours its past while remaining deeply rooted in its community, with its most recent chapter marked with the opening of the Serlas Wing, designed by Italian architect Antonio Citterio. Today, the hotel offers 163 rooms, including 47 suites, alongside several restaurants and bars spanning refined dining, international cuisine, iconic local venues and contemporary concepts.
At Badrutt’s Palace, legendary service sets the pace of life. In winter, a team of 700 ensures every detail is seamlessly managed. Whether guests are taking to the slopes, hiking through the Engadin valley or settling into the wood-panelled Le Grand Hall for afternoon tea, they are met with the warmth and attentive service that has defined the Palace for generations. Suite guests enjoy the added attention of a dedicated butler, while the concierge can arrange anything from personal shopping on Via Serlas to the smallest request, always anticipated rather than asked.
Emma Sleight, Director of Content & Creative for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, says:
“This award recognises the very core of what exceptional hospitality looks like when it stands the test of time. For decades, Badrutt’s Palace has upheld a standard of service rooted in legacy, emotional connection and genuine charm, all values that so many in the industry strive to emulate. An incredibly worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, Badrutt’s Palace is a benchmark for outstanding service and attention to detail, and proof that true excellence only deepens with age.”
Come evening, the team brings the Palace to life across eleven restaurants and bars, from the Japanese-Peruvian artistry of Nobuyuki Matsuhisa to Paradiso, the mountain club on Corviglia, where the same warm service carries over to the valley’s peak. This same care extends to every corner of the hotel, whether restoring body and soul at Palace Wellness or celebrating a milestone in the most remarkable setting. It is this rare alchemy of warmth, attentiveness and genuine hospitality, built over more than a century, that makes Badrutt’s Palace not simply a hotel, but the beating heart of St. Moritz.
Richard Leuenberger, Managing Director of Badrutt’s Palace, says:
“To receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award is a profound honour because it recognises what has always been at the heart of Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz: the hospitality of our people and the values lived here every day. For generations, this spirit has been carried by our team and shaped by our guests. I am incredibly proud of this team, whose warmth, pride and genuine care create memories that last.”
Giancarlo Mancino, CEO of SeiBellissimi, comments:
“More than places, we remember moments. At SeiBellissimi, we believe true hospitality is measured by the moments people carry with them long after they’ve left. Those rare occasions when great company, genuine care and perfect timing come together naturally. Few places embody that spirit as completely as Badrutt’s Palace.”
The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards ceremony will take place in Paris, France on Tuesday 15 September at Les Salles du Carrousel, where Badrutt’s Palace will be formally awarded as winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award 2026.
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