Experience Europe’s Highest Suspension Bridge from This Alpine Hotel with a Spectacular Rooftop Infinity Pool

The Kempinski Palace Engelberg is the sole five-star hotel in Engelberg and has a history spanning more than a century.

Kempinski Palace Engelberg

• The tiled flooring in the hotel’s entrance from 1904 was discovered in nearly pristine shape during the building's refurbishment.
• The Kempinski Palace Engelberg is situated in the heart of town; both the Engelberg gondola and the town’s Benedictine Monastery are within a five to fifteen-minute walking distance from the hotel.
• The 49-foot rooftop infinity pool extends parallel to the spa’s full-height windows, providing unobstructed vistas of theTitlis Mountain.

Even though I am the travel writer and hotel critic, once we opened the door to our premium suite at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg , my companion James, who is passionate about climbing and skiing, said, "Yes indeed, this might just be the one."

Nestled within the Engelberg Valley, each room boasts unobstructed vistas of the majestic Swiss Alps. Our accommodation provided an outlook towards the Titlis peak to the south and framed the Hahnen and Wissberg peaks to the east. Below, traditional Swiss chalets adorned with steeply sloping rooftops and wooden verandas lay blanketed under a recent layer of snow. Throughout the day, a crimson cable car traversed across our expansive view multiple times.

Andreas Magnus, the hotel's general manager, stated, "We are the narrators of the destination.” He added, “Our focus extends beyond the hotel itself to encompass Engelberg entirely.”

Boasting about 5,000 inhabitants that swell up to around 25,000 during peak times, each store in this charming town reflects a strong community spirit. Whether you're at the neighborhood cheesemonger located within the historic Benedictine Monastery or visiting the bustling main street coffee roaster run by brother-sister duo Oscar and Sophia—where the same premises house both a bookstore and stationery shop—it becomes evident how much locals cherish and back one another.

Our four-day, three-night stay at Kempinski Palace Engelberg, this majestic 129-room hotel known as the grand lady of the town, gave us ample time for exploration, relaxation, and enjoyment. Originally opened in 1905 under the name Grandhotel Winterhaus and subsequently renamed to Hotel Europäischer Hof, it continues to be both the premier and sole five-star retreat in Engelberg.

Famed politician and hotelier Eduard Cattani, along with his architect sibling Arnold Cattani, envisioned the grandiose Grandhotel Winterhaus to impress. Built in the Belle Époque era—combining elements from Victorian, Gothic, and Art Nouveau styles—the initial design included state-of-the-art amenities like centralized heating, which was quite impressive for the 19th century. Additionally, it featured domed rooftop towers and housed one enormous pane of Belgian glass, now part of The Palace Bar’s ambiance.

Currently managed by the Kempinski Group, which marked its 125th year in 2022, this establishment went through a five-year refurbishment project. This extensive work featured an additional hotel wing. It was reintroduced to the public in June 2021. The visual style for this transformation was crafted by a renowned London-based architectural and interior design company. Jestico + Whiles Executed by Eberli AG, this project merges traditional elements with contemporary design.

Take a detailed look at the exceptional attributes and facilities offered by the hotel.

The Rooms

I can’t remember another place I’ve stayed at where even the basic rooms were exceptional. the boutique category It is situated at a corner with windows overlooking two sides. The rooms gradually increase in size, featuring bespoke brushed oak desks and parquet flooring.

In our deluxe suite, the bed faced expansive windows offering fairy-tale-like vistas. If not for the significant quantity of newly fallen snow, our balcony could have served as a cozy spot for two people to sit.

The color palette, inspired by Switzerland's seasons, includes muted greens and blues, invoking year-round mountain freshness. Think bluebird sky-colored rugs and sage green throw pillows with light brown leather accents. Each room features custom box-spring beds from Swiss manufacturer Elite.

The bathrooms, featuring a combination of slate grey and white accents, aim to create a "wellness sanctuary" atmosphere complete with individual bathtub and shower areas along with dual sinks, offering an extra touch of personal space during your travels with someone else.

The top-tier suites, known as Titlis and Belle Époque, mimic the building’s towers with round designs and come equipped with balconies featuring fully-furnished sitting areas and sweeping vistas of the mountains.

Food and Drink

The primary dining area at The Cattani Restaurant bears the name of Eduard Cattani. As you step inside, your gaze inevitably rises towards a distinctive custom chandelier, which undoubtedly serves as the focal point of the room. This stunning fixture comprises handcrafted crystal “icicles” designed to mirror the contours of the adjacent Mount Titlis.

The free breakfast offered here was simple yet refined. It featured salmon gravlax seasoned with dill, an assortment of local cheeses, freshly squeezed thick orange juice, and a pair of daily health elixirs that turned this French bistro with Swiss touches into a must-try experience each morning.

Although I usually avoid afternoon tea when out of Great Britain, missing this opportunity would be unfortunate. Families can enjoy an "Alice in Wonderland" themed tea service designed for children. Meanwhile, grown-ups will find themselves presented with tiered serving trays suspended inside elegant bird cages. Among the selections, the combination of Engelbergler Valley Mountain cheese paired with Branston pickle stood out as a memorable sandwich option. Additionally, the freshly prepared scones accompanied by house-made preserves, clotted cream, and zesty lemon curd struck a perfect balance—remaining true to tradition yet avoiding stiffness.

The coziest place at the hotel is undoubtedly The Palace Bar. During daylight hours, it transforms into a warm area adorned with fireplaces where guests can relax with a good book or observe passing gondolas. As evening falls, this venue morphs into a sophisticated cocktail lounge featuring three distinct varieties of Swiss gin and vermouth; these are showcased particularly when ordering a Swiss Negroni—as my companion James did—wherein all options come together beautifully. Adjacent lies Habanos Cigar Lounge which provides an extensive selection of cigars along with being the perfect setting for savoring a glass of whiskey or brandy before bed.

Activities and Amenities

No matter what time of year you visit, the mountains beckon in Engelberg. During the warmer months, popular outdoor pursuits include biking, hiking, and playing golf. When winter arrives, Engelberg transforms into a snowy wonderland offering 50 miles of ski runs for classic downhills, backcountry tours, snowshoe excursions, Nordic skiing, and numerous off-trail experiences. For your convenience, the hotel’s own Palace Sports & Rentals provides a ski storage facility equipped with heated lockers, making it easy to begin and conclude each frosty adventure day.

If mountain pursuits do not appeal to you, then Lake Lucerne—just a 30-minute drive away—is an excellent alternative with its range of low-altitude attractions. One such activity includes watching and trying out glassblowing at Glasi Hergiswil. This renowned Swiss glassmaking facility was established by the Siegwart brothers back in 1817. Besides producing high-quality glass products, they provide tours through their engaging museum as well as sessions where visitors can create their very own blown-glass sphere.

The Spa

Situated on the highest level of the hotel, Kempinski The Spa provides guests with a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center, an infinity swimming pool, and various wellness amenities. These include a lounge area featuring an open Himalayan salt-stone fireplace along with four distinct types of saunas designed for different therapeutic benefits: the Finnish sauna aids in muscular recovery; the bio sauna uses fragrant essences to purify and invigorate the respiratory tract; the vivarium utilizes herbal vapor to support bronchial and pulmonary well-being; and finally, the conventional steam room helps alleviate muscle stiffness.

Visitors who wish to indulge themselves can select from an extensive list of therapies and massages, ranging from comprehensive packages such as the Alpine recovery, featuring both an herbal stamp massage and a quick facial, to personalized body treatments like the detoxifying option, which employs zeolites to cleanse the skin. I decided on a cellular-perfect detoxifying facial that resulted in my complexion appearing vibrant and revitalized—a notable improvement thanks to the cold winter climate.

Family-friendly Offerings

Along with child-appropriate afternoon tea, the Kempinski Kids Club (for children aged three to 12) provides a tech-less area for activities such as crafting, baking, and singing karaoke.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The deluxe rooms and all hotel facilities (with the exception of the swimming pool area) meet ADA standards.

The hotel’s eco-friendly efforts encompass converting all kitchen scraps into biofuel for heating or energy purposes, providing meals made from local produce and materials, utilizing underground water resources for air conditioning units, and completely depending on hydropower electricity.

Location

Engelberg can be reached via heliport, car (approximately 40 minutes from Lucerne and one hour from Zurich), as well as through the Zentralbahn railway; however, some transfers might be required.

It takes a 10-minute stroll to reach theTitlis Valley Station, from where you can ascend to the mountaintop for glacier viewing during winter months, as well as enjoy a cliff walk. 10,000-foot suspension bridge Year-round, off-piste skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer continue to be favored pastimes. Within the village, exploring the Benedictine Monastery makes for an interesting stroll.

Ways to Maximize Your Experience During Your Visit

Kempinski Hotels is a component of GHA Discovery , or part of the Global Hotel Alliance. The Kempinski Palace Engelberg is also included in the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program.

The starting nightly rates at Kempinski Palace Engelberg typically average around CHF 650, which is approximately $720.

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