Hotels & Accommodation in Graubnden Switzerland

Graubünden (also known as Grisons) is Switzerland's largest and most topographically varied canton, and its accommodation ecosystem reflects that diversity. At the top end, internationally celebrated resort towns like St. Moritz and Davos anchor a luxury hotel scene with century-old grand hotels and modern five-star properties. But the canton is equally rich in mid-range family-run hotels, alpine guesthouses (Gasthöfe), and rural Bernina or Engadine farmhouses that accept guests, giving travelers genuine choice across a very wide price spectrum.

What distinguishes Graubünden is the strong local character embedded even in commercial accommodation. Many properties in smaller villages such as Pontresina, Guarda, Scuol, or Vals are family-operated across multiple generations, and traditional Engadine architecture — thick stone walls, sgraffito façades, vaulted interiors — shapes the atmosphere of countless guesthouses and B&Bs. The canton's three official languages (German, Romansh, Italian) mean that properties in different valleys can feel culturally distinct from one another.

Beyond conventional hotels, the canton offers a genuine range of rare and alternative stays: mountain huts (SAC Berghütten) managed by the Swiss Alpine Club, farm stays on working alpine dairies, glamping on high meadows, and thermal spa-focused accommodation in Vals and Scuol. Seasonal closure is a real feature of the landscape — many mountain properties shut entirely between late April and mid-June, and again in October or November, so planning around operating seasons is essential.

Peak winter (mid-December through March): Graubünden's ski resorts fill rapidly. St. Moritz, Davos, Arosa, and Laax are particularly pressured over Christmas–New Year and the February school holiday weeks across Swiss and German-speaking cantons. Book 3–6 months ahead for preferred properties during these windows.

World Economic Forum (Davos, late January): Hotels across the entire Davos–Klosters area are block-booked by organizations months or even a year in advance. Independent travelers should either book extremely early or choose alternative nearby bases.

Summer (July–August): A strong second peak driven by Swiss and European vacationers doing alpine hiking. Mid-range and family-run guesthouses in Pontresina, Sils Maria, and Scuol fill quickly; 2–3 months ahead is advisable.

Shoulder seasons (April–May, October–November): Many mountain properties close entirely during these transition periods. Those that remain open often offer significantly reduced rates. Confirm opening dates directly with each property before planning.

The Engadin Skimarathon (March): One of the world's largest cross-country ski races draws thousands to the Upper Engadine; accommodation from St. Moritz to Maloja books out early.

• Kurtaxe is almost always extra: The visitor/resort tax is typically not included in quoted room rates; confirm whether it is charged separately at check-in.
• Seasonal closures are widespread and unpredictable: Many Graubünden properties operate only in winter (December–April) or summer (June–September) seasons, or both with a gap. Verify exact open dates directly.
• Half-board and full-board packages: Traditional Swiss hotels in mountain villages frequently price rooms on a half-board (breakfast + dinner) basis, which is sometimes compulsory in peak season. Read the rate structure carefully.
• Minimum stays: Most ski-season properties enforce minimum stays of 3–7 nights over Christmas–New Year and February half-term; some require weekly Saturday–Saturday lets for apartments.
• Apartments and chalets: Holiday rentals in resort towns often require a damage deposit paid on arrival and may carry additional linen/cleaning fees not shown in the headline price.
• Elevator and accessibility: Many older hotel buildings and Engadine village guesthouses have no elevator. Do not assume accessibility without confirming directly.
• Air conditioning is rare: Alpine altitudes mean AC is uncommon even in upscale properties; summer nights are generally cool but rooms facing south can be warm in August.
• Mountain hut bookings (SAC huts): Berghütten require advance reservation especially in July–August; sleeping arrangements are typically dormitory-style even in booked huts.
• Card acceptance: Smaller guesthouses and farm stays may prefer or require cash payment; ask in advance.
• Parking fees: Resort hotels frequently charge separately for underground parking, which can add CHF 20–40 per night.

Book through established platforms (hotel's own website, Switzerland Tourism's portal, reputable OTAs) or confirmed Swiss tourism agencies. Beware listings on general classified sites or social media that request payment via bank transfer or cryptocurrency before arrival — this is not standard practice for legitimate Swiss properties. If an apartment or chalet deal appears significantly below comparable market rates, verify the property exists via independent mapping tools and cross-reference with official cantonal tourism directories. For SAC mountain huts, use only the official Swiss Alpine Club booking system. Always obtain written confirmation of your booking and retain it.

Graubünden has an excellent public transport network anchored by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), whose routes — including the UNESCO-listed Albula and Bernina lines — connect Chur to Davos, St. Moritz, Pontresina, and Scuol via postal bus connections. Staying in or near a railway station in resort towns (Davos Platz, St. Moritz, Pontresina, Klosters) means you can manage without a car for most in-resort needs. However, smaller villages in lateral valleys — Vals, Guarda, some parts of Lumnezia — are effectively only practical with your own vehicle or via infrequent postal bus services. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the RhB and most postal buses, making it an efficient investment for car-free travelers. In-resort ski shuttles and cable car bases are generally within walking distance of central hotels in the main resorts. Chur's rail hub makes it the logical gateway for the entire canton.

Graubünden is broadly well-suited to family travel. Many traditional Swiss hotels offer family rooms or interconnecting rooms, and apartment rentals — widely available in all major resort towns — provide the space and kitchen facilities that families with young children often need. Properties in Arosa, Lenzerheide, and Laax specifically market to families and typically have proximity to ski schools and children's ski areas. Farm stays on working alpine farms (Agrotourismus Graubünden lists verified properties) give children direct exposure to rural alpine life and are usually priced at the budget-to-mid-range level. For groups, chalet rentals in Klosters or the Engadine offer private catering options. Confirm whether high chairs, cots, and child menus are available — smaller guesthouses vary considerably.

Extended stays in Graubünden are most practical in Davos, Chur, and St. Moritz, where some properties offer weekly or monthly rates, particularly outside peak windows. Serviced apartments and aparthotels exist in Davos and are increasingly present in Laax. Chur, as the year-round cantonal capital, has the most stable supply of longer-term furnished apartment rentals through local agencies. In resort villages, holiday apartment owners sometimes negotiate reduced weekly rates for stays of two weeks or more directly outside high season. The Swiss-German term to look for is 'Ferienwohnung' (holiday apartment). Note that Swiss rental law and short-stay apartment regulations vary; longer stays may involve formal rental agreements.