In St. Moritz, Switzerland, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has debuted its largest expansion in 129 years.
Designed by ACPV Architects (Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel), the new Serlas Wings is a six-story addition with 25 contemporary guestrooms and suites, and an underground pedestrian tunnel featuring Switzerland’s longest hotel escalator.
The tunnel connects guests directly to St. Moritz’s village square and Chesa Veglia, a 17th-century farmhouse that houses four of the hotel’s dining venues and a bar.
A reflection of local architecture
The extension “was inspired by the hotel’s location, the surrounding natural landscape, and the spirit of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel,” says architect Antonio Citterio, chairman and cofounder of ACPV Architects.
The façade—constructed from regional Dorato Valmalenco stone with deep, sculpted-in windows and bronze detailing—nods to traditional Swiss architecture with a contemporary touch.
A cantilevered wooden roof crafted from locally sourced materials reflects the region’s architecture, while the roof over the penthouse suites was finished using the traditional Japanese yakisugi (also known as shou sugi ban) technique, a controlled charring process that enhances the wood’s durability.
Inside the Serlas Wing
Guests enter the Serlas Wing through a dramatic triple-height lobby, illuminated by a large arched window and anchored by a sculptural bridge. Meanwhile, the guestrooms and suites are defined by wool-fabric wall paneling, upholstery from Loro Piana Interiors, and lighting that highlights the rich materiality.
“The architecture and the interiors of the new Serlas Wing were designed by imagining how people would experience and perceive the space inside,” Citterio explains. “In the guestrooms and the suites, window openings are placed in positions that create intimate connections between guests and the surrounding landscape. The placement of the windows adds a special quality to the façade, which references the traditional architectural volume of the Chesa Planta house in Samedan.”
Plus, the wing’s ground floor is also home to a selection of boutiques, including Sabadini, Miu Miu, and Yves Saint Laurent.
More from HD:
The 76 Most-Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2025
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Elizabeth Blau, Blau + Associates
Dive Into Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens in Greece
