Anniversary
150 years Hotel Reine Victoria
Celebrating a timeless elegance;
From the spa hotel of the European aristocracy to the modern 4-star jewel, the Hotel Reine Victoria has retained its unmistakable charm and tells stories of hospitality, art, culture – and the timeless elegance of constantly reinventing itself.
The man who designed St. Moritz
Anyone strolling through St. Moritz today cannot fail to notice the unmistakable signature of Nicolaus Hartmann senior.
After a deprived childhood – orphanage, poverty, hard work – the exceptional architect from Chur rose to make his mark on St. Moritz with his iconic hotel palaces and churches. Hartmann did not create houses; he built the stage for the new attitude to life of a flourishing tourist destination. We are proud that the Hotel Reine Victoria is also one of his works and connects our hotel with the spirit of the Gründerzeit.
Source: Kristina Hartmann, Master builders in Graubünden. Three generations of Nicolaus Hartmann 1850-1950
The home for unforgettable encounters
Named after the British Queen, the Reine Victoria was already one of the leading hotels in St. Moritz in the 1890s. Society met in the majestic halls to celebrate, dance and make music – including Duchess Vera von Württemberg, granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I. Maestro Herbert von Karajan also gave a concert here in the theater hall.
The art of hospitality
Around 1900, the Hotel Reine Victoria enchanted its guests with amenities that were exceptional for the time: Bathrooms, elevators, heating – and electric light!
Let there be light
Before the advent of electricity, the atrium allowed daylight to flood from the roof into the imposing rooms on the first floor. When electric light was installed for the first time in Switzerland in 1879 – first in the Hotel Kulm in St. Moritz and a little later in the Hotel Reine Victoria – a new era of architecture began, opened up by the possibilities of artificial lighting. A ceiling was installed in the lobby, painted by Antonio De Grada in bright, heavenly ornamentation.
The splendor of those electrifying early days lives on to this day: 47 chandeliers made of fine Murano glass light the way from reception to the breakfast room.
The staircase in the atrium is also largely preserved in its original state and combines cast iron, wood and marble.
Putti, blossoms, bows
Somewhere between Art Nouveau, Symbolism and Historicism, Antonio De Grada’s fine brushstrokes adorn our ceilings.
Born in Milan in 1858, the artist became a sought-after decorator among the Swiss upper classes at an early age. His works hung in the Kunsthaus Zurich, traveled around the country with the Turnus exhibition – and reached London, where he was awarded the gold medal at the Crystal Palace in 1907.
Inspired by Italian sacred buildings, De Grada created our lobby and the theater hall as nostalgic jewels of the Belle Époque.
Other hotels with ceiling paintings by De Grada:
- Maloja Palace
- Hotel Scaletta in S-chanf (temporarily closed)
- Grand Hotel Bagni di Bormio
- De Grada is also believed to have been involved in the Sarnen post office and the Fraumünster post office in Zurich.
From luxury to a matter of course
In the early years of the Hotel Reine Victoria, toilets and bathrooms were shared per floor. Water prices were probably on a par with other hotels in St. Moritz: a full bath cost CHF 1 at the time – adjusted for inflation, this corresponds to a value of around CHF 25 to 35 today! The rooms were small and primarily intended for overnight stays. The communal rooms were all the more important: the lobby functioned as a stylish “conversation room”, complemented by lounges such as the reading room or the bridge room.
A new beginning with Laudinella
In 2015, the Laudinella Group took over the Hotel Reine Victoria – initially as a leasehold property before it was finally added to the portfolio in 2022 thanks to an investor. Even before the purchase, all guest rooms were modernized. The redesign in 2023 added color to the public areas and put the historical ornamentation even more in the spotlight – with a new restaurant, the stylish VIC’S BAR and an inviting lobby. Today, the hotel is much more than just a place to stay. It enriches the Engadin with art, culture, hospitality and an inspiring community.
Lobby old vs. new
Restaurant old vs. new
Hotel Reine Victoria today
“We have succeeded in restoring the hotel to its former glory. We are grateful for this and still have so many plans to ensure that history continues to be written here in the future.”
With great passion, we fill this historic place with life, so that not only history is created, but also personal experiences become unforgettable moments – characterized by hospitality, style and elegance. We look forward to you becoming part of our journey.
