Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, a Pioneer of Winter Tourism, Invests in the Future of the Ski Industry

Online, September 20, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz (www.kulmhotel-stmoritz.ch), a pioneer of winter tourism, has underlined its commitment to the future of skiing by unveiling a ski pass offer unique to the Engadin-St.Moritz region and free skiing lessons for children to encourage the younger generations to take up winter sports.

Guests staying at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz for a minimum of two nights will receive a ski pass for the St. Moritz/Engadin region including free travel on all public transport; this pass costs just CHF25 (approx US$26) per person per day for the entire duration of their stay. The offer is valid throughout the 2012/2013 winter season at both the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and its sister property Grand Hotel Kronenhof in nearby Pontresina.

In cooperation with the St. Moritz Ski School, the Kulm Hotel is also offering its younger guests, aged between four and 12, the chance to attend complimentary group ski lessons. The pick-up of the kids from the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz by a ski school instructor, the transfer from Chantarella station to Salastrains ski ground and the group lessons are all included.

With the launch of these two special offers, the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz is once again highlighting its pioneering role in Swiss winter holidays, as well as its position as the leading 5-star superior hotel for families in St. Moritz. It is hoped that these two gestures will encourage more guests to take to the slopes over the coming season and nurture skiers of the future.

It was the owner of the Kulm Hotel, Johannes Badrutt, who initiated winter holidays to St. Moritz in 1864, when he laid a bet with his last departing summer guests that the local weather would be so good even in December that they could sun themselves on the hotel's terrace; if not, he would cover the cost of their vacation himself. He won the bet and within two years, the hotel, which previously had been a summer spa destination, was fully booked with guests staying through the winter.

Looking for ways in which to amuse themselves during the colder months, the winter guests started tobogganing down the steep streets of St Moritz and gliding down the mountain slopes on "two planks", inventing the Cresta Run and perfecting the art of downhill skiing in the process.

Room rates at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz start from CHF575 (approx US$620) for two people sharing a double room on a half-board basis, including wireless internet as well as free access to the spa and the hotel's ice rink. Reservation can be made by phone +41 81 836 8000 or by e-mail via reservations@kulmhotel-stmoritz.ch; more details can be found on the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz website: www.kulmhotel-stmoritz.ch.

***

NOTES TO EDITORS

Kulm Hotel St. Moritz was the first hotel to be built in St. Moritz. The Kulm Hotel opened its doors in 1856 and immediately became popular for summer spa and painting holidays, particularly among the British who comprised around 75% of the hotel guests. The owner of the Kulm Hotel, Johannes Badrutt, initiated winter holidays to St. Moritz from 1864, when he laid a bet with his last departing summer guests that the local weather was so good they could sun themselves on the hotel's terrace even in deep December; if not, he would cover the cost of their vacation himself. He won the bet and within two years, the hotel was fully booked with guests staying for the entire winter season. The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz can, therefore, take credit for starting the trend for winter sports holidays.

Since the 19th century, the Kulm Hotel has changed considerably through expansion and renovation, but the fabulous location at the heart of St. Moritz with views over the Lake remains the same. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Kulm Hotel has 173 rooms, five restaurants (offering formal dining, French fine dining awarded 15 points by GaultMillau, Italian, local Engadine specialities and the Japanese restaurant awarded 13 points by GaultMillau), the extensive spa (with 20m indoor pool, heated outdoor pool with water features, various saunas and steam room, a Jacuzzi, a fully-equipped gym and treatment rooms, all with stunning views over Lake St. Moritz) and six conference rooms, with capacities ranging from 50 to 500 people.

Entertainment and sports facilities include the 9-hole Kulm Golf Course St. Moritz, three tennis courts, a natural ice rink, a curling field and the "Marmotta Club" for children. The Kulm Hotel is inextricably linked to the Cresta Run through the Sunny Bar, where tobogganing pilots have congregated for decades; the walls are lined with trophies and images of famous people who have hurled themselves down the infamous ice track.

Recent awards for the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz include 15 GaultMillau points for the hotel's gourmet restaurant the K in 2012. In the latest ranking list of Switzerland's best winter hotels, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz is ranked at number 4 in the category of five star hotels as 'one of the best managed and most excellent hotel in the Alps with immaculate consistency'.

Both the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and its sister property Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Pontresina (www.kronenhof.com) are owned by the Niarchos family.

For more information, please contact:
Sue Heady
Heady Communications
T: 01608 651 692 or 078 5595 0705
E: sue@headycommunications.com