Guardalej has been completely refurbished and re-opened its doors as the luxurious GIARDINO MOUNTAIN on 9 December 2011. This new stylish retreat in Champfèr St. Moritz welcomes visitors with relaxed luxury and casual alpine chic. There are 78 spacious rooms and suites, top-notch restaurants and full-service wellness and beauty treatments at the DIPIÙ SPA BY GIARDINO.

As a tribute to the over 100-year history of the venerable former hotel resort Chesa Guardalej, Francesca Alder’s team of architects from bofor design in Thun, Gaby Bachhuber Geissinger from the architect firm’s Munich offices and Roland Hinzer from Hinzer Architektur in Champfèr under the lead of Philippe and Daniela Frutiger, CEO GIARDINO HOTEL GROUP, preserved the link to the original Engadine architecture with a keen feeling for and appreciation of today’s modern, alpine interior design. The grandeur of the listed facade on the main building, first documented in 1718, has been largely preserved after slight repair work was completed.

INTERIOR WITH THE LOCAL FLAVOUR OF THE ENGADINE

The interior of the hotel complex has been carefully restored and partially rebuilt. The reception, lobby bar lounge, restaurants, spa, coiffeur, wellness and fitness area as well as the popular sports shop were all given a new, contemporary look. And of course the rooms and suites were redesigned with a loving eye for detail.

More space was created for the children’s area and a new area for teenagers was added. The beautiful antique wood ceilings throughout the hotel and the famous Sgrafittos created by the celebrated local artist Steivan Könz L. (1940 – 1998) in the space where the new RISTORANTE ECCO ON SNOW opened, remained fully intact. For the redesign of the interior the architectural team used characteristic stone from the region, fine parquets from Mafi, elegant fabrics from Designers Guild, high-quality decorative elements from DK Home and Rivièra Maison, exclusive lighting by van Egmond, VG Newtrend and Moodi as well as sophisticated design wallpaper by Ulf Moritz and All and Deco Italia.

In keeping with the tradition of all the properties the group operates the stylish outdoor furniture is made by DEDON. Daniela and Philippe Frutiger, CEOs of GIARDINO HOTEL GROUP said: „The most important values our group espouses – quality of life, sustainability and service leadership – are on display at GIARDINO MOUNTAIN. In our newest gem of a hotel this is rounded off by our fresh interpretation of the Alpine soul in the existing resort and a quaint, cosy at-home feeling that allows our guests to fully relax.“

SUITES WITH FEEL-GOOD ATMOSPHERE

The 78 luxuriously comfortable rooms and suites are spacious oases of well being where guests can find solitude. Most of the rooms have a balcony or private patio and an individual layout afforded by the charming historic building. Wood elements in the rooms abound and the high-quality building materials from the region, exclusive designer furniture and decorative elements in warm earth tones reflect the modern lifestyle of the guests radiate contemporary luxury and provide the right setting for much sought after relaxation.

WIDE VARIETY OF THE FINEST CUISINE

Discerning palates are blissfully spoilt in the three restaurants at GIARDINO MOUNTAIN. In the main restaurant RISTORANTE GUARDALEJ head chef Markus Rose pampers his guests in the evenings with artfully crafted creations of modern Mediterranean cuisine. Mark Rose also runs the STÜVA, a traditional Engadine restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Typical hearty local specialties prepared with local produce populate the menu. Guests can enjoy exquisitely prepared small meals and snacks at the log fire in the cosy bar lounge located in the lobby area or outside on the terrace wrapped in warm blankets when the weather is irresistible. The exclusive, intimate evening restaurant RISTORANTE ECCO ON SNOW is the hotel’s undisputed culinary highlight. The head chef Rolf Fliegauf cooked his way into two Michelin stars at the RISTORANTE ECCO inAscona. In the winter months he and his entire team put in an extraordinary guest appearance that is sure toinspire well-travelled gourmets.

RELAXATION FOR THE BODY AND SOUL IN DIPIÙ SPA BY GIARDINO

Daniela Frutiger took the lead on the development and the concept of the spacious SPA area with its fresh and unusual architecture. Daniela Frutiger, who is responsible for interior design, positioning and SPA facilities within the group, has also developed the natural cosmetic line DIPIÙ COSMETICS as well as classic and new treatment methods exclusively for the GIARDINO HOTEL GROUP, including the special Merlot therapy in the „Tenimento dell’Ör“ line that can be enjoyed at GIARDINO MOUNTAIN. All of this is complemented by choice products and treatment concepts from AVEDA that are based on Ayurvedic healing tradition. There are seven treatment rooms, including a „couple’s suite,“ with a whirlpool, steam sauna, relaxation room and treatment beds. The SPA has several saunas and relaxation areas, an indoor pool and a hot whirlpool bath with massage jets, an Aveda hair salon and an exclusive SPA lounge where you can savour a cup of tea and take advantage of the tailored services provided by perfectly trained staff. Sports enthusiasts can also use a gym equipped the latest Technogym equipment including a power plate. A personal coach can also be booked. The innovative BODYSTYLE concept will give guests looking after their figures and their health even more vitality and a sense of well-being while optimising fitness levels. The concept is based on five building blocks: complete body analysis and consulting, ultrasound treatment, nutritional counselling, vibration exercise and fitness and relaxation.

SPORTS SHOP FOR GUESTS, SKI SHUTTLE AND PARTNERSHIP WITH SKI SCHOOL The hotel’s very own IVO’S SPORTS SHOP carries brand-name outfits, accessories and sports equipment. Guests can also find all the rental equipment they’ll need for a wide variety of sports. During the winter months the shop also offers a full range of services for skiers. A shuttle bus with a regular schedule takes guests to the skiing areas and the hotel works closely with the Suvretta ski school. Close to heaven: another spectacular highlight is the GIARDINO MOUNTAIN LOUNGE. The lounge is situated upon the exclusive club terraces of the mondane El Paradiso cottage 2128 meters above sea level. Guests enjoy a modern cuisine – which combines Engadine traditions with Italian, French and global cooking styles – in a spectacular architectural setting with a unique panoramic view.

KIDS AND TEENS HAVE AN AREA OF THEIR OWN Children are invited to visit the KIDS CLUB where they have plenty of room to have a great time and even grab a bite in the restaurant made just for them. Teens can relax in the FREESTYLE ACADEMY which was designed especially for them. It features computer games, pinball machines and a non-alcoholic bar where they can hang out with their friends.

CONTACT DETAILS:

ADDRESS: Via Maistra 3 | CH-7512 Champfèr-St.Moritz | www.giardino-mountain.ch INFORMATION: T. +41 (0)81 836 63 00 | welcome@giardino-mountain.ch RESERVATIONS: T. +41 (0)800 333 315 | reservation@giardino-mountain.ch

Further reports about the region in german

White Turf St. Moritz: Das grosse Pferdespektakel beginnt

Das Engadin hat nichts an Zauber, aber viele Gäste eingebüsst

St. Moritz: Winterurlaub der besonderen „Art“

Engadiner Bergbahnen und Busse im Preis des Hotels inkludiert

Winter-Hideaway mitten im quirligen Oberengadin

Kultur- und Gourmet-Eldorado im Engadin: Hotel Edelweiss

„Monopolstellung“ für einen legendären Winter in St. Moritz

Im Skatingschritt über die Oberengadiner Seen