Kulm St. Moritz
In 1856 the later legendary Johannes Badrutt first took out a lease on the former Pension Faller. He then acquired the establishment in 1858 for the sum of 28,500 francs, promptly rechristened it the Hotel Engadiner Kulm, and thus opened the first hotel in St. Moritz.
The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz now belongs to a finance company under the aegis of the Niarchos family. Its worthy heritage is thus nurtured and guided forwards with a blend of diligence, commitment and farsightedness. Hotel pioneer Johannes Badrutt would indeed be satisfied.
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It was in the year 1856 that Johannes Badrutt first took out a lease on the former Pension Faller. He then acquired the establishment in 1858 for the sum of 28,500 francs, promptly rechristened it the Hotel Engadiner Kulm, and thus opened the first hotel in St. Moritz. That pioneering spirit would never desert the go-getting hotelier. He sensed that the high southern alpine valley had just as much to offer in winter as in summer.
So, as early as 1864, Johannes Badrutt made a pioneer's characteristically daring wager with the last of his departing British summer guests: free accommodation until the spring, if the Engadine winter wouldn't turn out to be just as sunny and enjoyable as the summer. Of course we now accept the verity of Johannes Badrutt's assertion, so it comes as no surprise that his British guests didn't depart until springtime, replete with suntans, and enthusiastically recounted their Alpine winter experience at the Hotel Engadiner Kulm to friends back home. The winter season in the Alps was born.
The hotel drew further attention on account of its technical progressiveness. Inspired by the World Exhibition of 1878, the hotelier established a Swiss first with the installation of electric lighting. The latest waste management techniques, water closets and other engineering achievements likewise contributed to building up the Kulm's peerless reputation. Equally important throughout the years was the sense of social occasion that the Kulm could offer. Aristocrats and figures from business, politics and the arts would flock to this majestic hotel from all around Europe to participate in summer and winter sports, masked balls, and to experience the marvels of the magic lantern. Even the 1928 and 1948 winter Olympic games were officially opened on the Kulm terrace. But there was also a dark side to the gloss and glamour. The World Wars isolated the hotel and drove it into debt, until such time as one of Badrutt's heirs stepped in and put the old polish back into the establishment.
The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz now belongs to a finance company under the aegis of the Niarchos family. Its worthy heritage is thus nurtured and guided forwards with a blend of diligence, commitment and farsightedness. Hotel pioneer Johannes Badrutt would indeed be satisfied.