Hotel Misani

Hotel description

Think of St. Moritz, and Swiss alpine resorts in general, and the word “affordable” might not leap directly to mind. For the most part it’s still very much an upscale destination, but just down the road in Celerina, one town over from St. Moritz proper, there’s a much more attainable option, in the form of the fun and casual Hotel Misani.

Absent are the white-glove luxury of the five-star hotels and the chilly minimalism of the design boutiques. This place is all ramshackle charm, with rooms outfitted along very basic thematic lines: Australian Outback, 1001 Nights, that sort of thing, as well as a classic Alpine option for devoted traditionalists. What’s unique about the Misani is the degree of customizability in the rooms — you’ll pay a little more for extra furnishings and accessories, from televisions to wall-mounted antlers. It’s a scheme that may rub some guests a bit wrong initially, but eventually charm wins out — pet lovers, for example, can rent a hamster named Flurina, who comes complete with cage, bottle and feed.

The cuisine at the Misani ranges a little more broadly than the usual Swiss fare, encompassing Spanish tapas and Italian options, among others. It’s not a hotel for the private-jet set, perhaps, but for those who appreciate a bit of personality, it’s a smart way to do St. Moritz.