Grand Hotel Kronenhof

The honest review

The Kronenhof occupies an unusual position in the Swiss Alps hotel market: it is objectively one of the most beautiful grand hotels in the Engadin valley (the 1898 building is immaculate) but sits in Pontresina, not St. Moritz, which means it commands 20–40% lower rates than equivalent St. Moritz properties while offering identical access to the same ski area, the same Diavolezza glacier, and the same Engadin landscape.

For families, the KroniKids club runs structured daily programming in a renovated historic building adjacent to the main hotel — not a hotel room repurposed as a playroom, but a dedicated facility with outdoor space. The indoor pool is heated and appropriate year-round. In summer, the glacier hiking from nearby Diavolezza (cable car to 2,978m, guided walks on the Pers glacier for children 8+) is an experience that has permanent effect on children's relationship with mountains.

The winter program is exceptional: the Engadin ski area connects to Corviglia above St. Moritz, with 350km of prepared runs. Cross-country skiing on the Engadin valley floor is suitable from age 5. The horse-drawn sleigh rides are the Instagrammable Swiss winter moment — genuinely charming, not touristy.

The pricing limitation is real: at CHF 550–1,200/night, this is not accessible to most families without travel savings. But for the Engadin experience, the Kronenhof is the right family hotel.