Naples Illustrated

FIRST CLASS

Champagne High

A-listers head to St. Moritz for the good life, skiing and a lot of the bubbly.

BY KIMBERLEY LOVATO

St. Moritz is synonymous with luxury and style, and is arguably one of the most renowned resorts in the world. Elegant and exclusive, the village in the Swiss Alps brags of its “top of the world” location (nearly 6,000 feet above sea level) and its “Champagne climate.” Whether or not this moniker stems from the 322 days of sunshine per year that twinkle off the snow and lake, or from the stars that frequent the haute couture shops and trendy restaurants is debatable. Or perhaps it simply is a name reflective of the volume of Veuve Clicquot that flows faster than snowmelt.

Whatever the reason, there is no doubt St. Moritz is the ultimate in ritzy escapes, and is a year-round attraction for lovers of the good life.

The center of St. Moritz’ chic universe is its high-end lodgings like the elegant Kulm Hotel, the Suvretta House with its Prada-clad ski instructors, and the legendary Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, a 100-plus-year-old landmark rising above the lake. With its black and white marble lobby, views to die for and a coterie of chic restaurants, “The Palace” is the destination in town. During the winter, the world-famous Nobu Restaurant opens its doors here and welcomes diners onto its rose petal strewn floors until April, when the staff close up shop and reopen in Mykonos, Greece.

The hotel also is home to the swank Kings Club, where the well heeled flock to hear guest DJs play until the wee hours of the morning. The Rennaissance Bar, locally known as Mario’s Bar after barkeep Mario da Como, who has reigned here for more than 40 years, is rumored to serve the best bellinis in town. The friendly Italian greets visitors in his native tongue, which also seems to be the language of St. Moritz, even if it is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.