An Insider's Guide To Klosters

Klosters is an old-money and understated destination in the heart of Grisons in the Swiss Alps and a firm favorite of the Royal Family. Prince Charles and Diana took their sons on regular Ski trips to the Swiss town and the local cable car is named after the former Prince of Wales. Here are some more reasons to visit Klosters:

At around 1,200 meters (approx. 4000 ft) above sea level.

Cosmopolitan, tucked away, organised, well-mannered, and discreet.

The Chalet Option:

• Chalet Bear as been recently refurbished to a luxuriously modern standard and sleeps up to 8 people in 4 bedrooms. It offers cosy sitting rooms, bedrooms with wonderful linen, and 3 fireplaces (one of which can be found in the master bedroom). It also features beautiful balconies and a terrace overlooking the stunning vista of the resort, the lifts are 5 min away.

The Hotel Option:

• Chesa Grischuna is not only a cultural highlight and experience but also a historic house in the heart of Klosters. During the Second World War, Chesa Grischuna was one of the preferred hotels of the GIs, the American soldiers who returned for a holiday after the war. Writers and personalities from the film industry also traveled to Klosters in the Chesa Grischuna at that time. So the hotel was soon affectionately called "Hollywood on the rocks". In the guestbook, a large number of well-known names and titles have been perpetuated up to the present day. Queens, actors, directors, writers, and many more. The hotel is renowned for its gourmet restaurant, overseen by Austrian chef Ronald Fressner, who layers his classic French cuisine background with dashes of the local region and the Mediterranean. Expect a focus on fish dishes, such as roasted sole with Champagne beurre blanc, Perigord truffle, pointed cabbage, and Albula mountain potato. The legendary Chesa Bar has seen some action in its time, with Gene Kelly tap-dancing his way across it on many late nights in winter, with the grand piano in full flow. Painted by renowned artist Hans Schoellhorn, the bar is a real beauty and one of Klosters’ finest.

• Berghaus Alpenrösli the most beautiful sun terrace in Klosters, go for lunch. Carefully selected wines from the very finest vineyards from around the world.
• Gasthaus Höhwald is a place for locals and tourists alike. The cosy interiors feature lots of fragrant wood and fine fabrics, warm light, cuddly furs, open fire, hunting trophies and dishes like those from Nani's kitchen.

One of the best in Switzerland, connected to famous Davos. Around 300 km of slopes and 57 transport facilities.

While Davod and St Moritz have outposts of luxury labels like Moncler, Louis Vuitton, and others, Klosters only has antique shops, pharmacies, ski-hire stores, a grocer, and a confiserie, but that's part of the charm.

Ski-season runs from early December to mid-April. Summer and especially autumn are beautiful times as well to visit the region.

Fly into Zurich, 1 1/2h drive. You can also take the train from Zurich to Klosters, approx. 2h40.

Photo Credit: JONATHAN DUCREST

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