Hotel Waldhaus am See
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel Waldhaus am See is the lightest-priced way to land a pretty lakeside view near the station in St. Moritz — a 3-star superior that leans on the view, the value, the included travel card, and the record-setting Devil's Place whisky bar rather than plush rooms.
Hotel Waldhaus am See is the lightest-priced way to land a pretty lakeside view near the station in St. Moritz — a 3-star superior that leans on the view, the value, the included travel card, and the record-setting Devil's Place whisky bar rather than plush rooms.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Picture a compact hotel clinging to a rise above a mountain lake, where you pull the curtains in the morning and find broad water ringed by Alpine peaks — that is the first charm of Hotel Waldhaus am See in St. Moritz. This is a 3-star superior with around 50 rooms, on the St. Moritz Bad side by the lake. It does not shout luxury like the city's legendary palaces; instead it is the warm, simple feel of a family-run place. Inside, the look is easy Alpine — wood and soft tones, with small lobby and lounge corners for a warm drink and a lake view. What sets it apart is the view: many rooms and the terrace face the lake head-on, and reviewers agree that waking up to it is the thing they remember most. If you like an unfussy, friendly mood and value a natural view over plush finishes, this place lands from the first step.
Food and amenities
Another heart of a stay here is breakfast with a lake view. Picture a warm coffee on the terrace or by the window with the water and the Alps behind it — reviewers rate this as one of the highlights of the stay. Breakfast is set out tidily and fills you enough for a day of walking or skiing, and in the evening the hotel restaurant serves up the same view in an easygoing setting. The one not-to-miss is Devil's Place: a dram in the bar with the largest whisky collection in the world, asking staff to point you toward a standout bottle is a fun, memorable experience. The mood overall is quiet and restful, set by the lake and away from the bustle of the town centre. Service is another thing reviewers praise — a warm, helpful team that makes you feel at home from check-in. All told, it feels like better value than the price suggests, the kind of place many guests want to come back to.
Location and getting there
The thing people always mention is the lakeside location. The hotel sits on a rise above Lake St. Moritz, looking out over water that changes with the season — a deep blue summer lake to stroll around, a white sheet of ice in winter with a postcard mountain backdrop. The other big plus for travelers is that it is a very short walk to St. Moritz station, no long haul with your bags — ideal if you arrive on a scenic line like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express and would rather skip a fuss into town. The room rate also includes the St. Moritz / Engadin travel card for free local buses and cable cars throughout your stay, so you can hop into the downtown Dorf area to shop or head up to the slopes without paying extra. And the highlight that made it famous worldwide is Devil's Place, the in-house whisky bar logged in the Guinness World Records for the largest whisky collection on Earth — several thousand bottles, and a hard-to-match spot for an evening dram.
Things to know before booking
Straight talk to help you decide. First, the location: pretty as the lakeside view is, and close as the station is, the hotel is on the St. Moritz Bad side, which is not the heart of the downtown Dorf area. Walking the Via Serlas shops or the main restaurant district means a bus, a taxi, or a decent uphill walk, so if you like to step out and be right there it may feel less convenient than a village-centre hotel — though the included travel card helps with the fares. Second, the level: as a 3-star superior the rooms and facilities are simple, with no big spa or indoor pool like the grand hotels. If a spa-and-swim day is your highlight, adjust your expectations or look at a luxury hotel instead. Last, the rooms: the building is on a slope and shows its age, so some room types are compact and layouts vary, and the lake view depends on the room you book — ask for a lake-view room, and note that over high season like Christmas, New Year, and the ski festivals rates climb and rooms fill fast, so book well ahead.
Our take
After reading through a stack of real reviews, Hotel Waldhaus am See is a tidy fit for anyone who wants St. Moritz on a reachable budget — a 3-star superior by the lake that leans on pretty water-and-mountain views from many rooms, a near-the-station location made for train arrivals, the included St. Moritz travel card that saves on local fares, and a one-of-a-kind highlight in Devil's Place, the world's largest whisky bar. If your mental picture of the trip is waking up to a lake-view breakfast, strolling the water or riding a free bus into town, then coming back for a dram in a warm, easygoing setting, it delivers at a fraction of the luxury hotels — provided you accept that you are not in the heart of the shopping district, there is no big spa or pool, and some rooms are compact. Overall we give it 8.8/10, best for couples, families, and travelers who value a lake view, a near-the-station location, and value over the grandeur of plush rooms and facilities.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A lakeside location on the St. Moritz Bad side, set on a rise that looks out over the water and the ring of Alps all around. Many rooms and the breakfast terrace face the lake head-on, so you get a luxury-grade view at a far gentler price.
- A very short, easy walk to St. Moritz station — about as good as it gets if you arrive on the scenic Glacier Express or Bernina lines and would rather not haul your bags far.
- The room rate includes the St. Moritz / Engadin travel card, so local buses and cable cars are free during your stay. That saves a fair bit on getting into town and up to the ski slopes.
- Devil's Place, the in-house whisky bar logged in the Guinness World Records as the largest whisky collection on Earth with several thousand bottles, is a one-of-a-kind highlight and a distinctive spot for an evening dram.
- A compact, family-run feel that reviewers warm to — staff described as friendly and helpful, with a clean, tidy room and breakfast. It reads as better value than you would expect from a 3-star.
- It sits on the St. Moritz Bad side by the lake, not in the heart of the downtown Dorf area. Walking the Via Serlas shops or reaching the main restaurant district means a bus, a taxi, or a decent uphill walk, so it is less convenient than a hotel right in the village if you like to step out and be there.
- As a 3-star superior, the rooms and facilities are simple and not as grand as the city's flagship hotels. There is no big spa or indoor pool, so if you are expecting full-on luxury you should adjust your expectations.
- The building is on a slope and shows its age. Some room types are compact and layouts vary, and the lake view depends on which room you book — ask for a lake-view room when you reserve. In high season rates climb and rooms fill fast.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near St. Moritz
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a lake-facing room when you book, because the view is the main draw here — opening the curtains to the water and the Alps is well worth it over a room that faces inward.
- Make the most of the St. Moritz / Engadin travel card that comes with the room: free buses into the downtown Dorf area, or the cable car up to the slopes, with no extra local transport to pay.
- Drop into Devil's Place one evening for a dram in the bar with the world's largest collection, and ask staff to point you toward a standout bottle — it is a hotel experience you will not find elsewhere.