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Hitchcock & The Palace

Jun. 26th, 2019

120 years have passed since the birth of Alfred Hitchcock. He visited Badrutt’s Palace Hotel 34 times in his lifetime – and we have even more reasons to celebrate him this year.

When Alfred Hitchcock came to St. Moritz, it was like visiting his friends – Anikó and Hansjürg Badrutt. «Hitchy» fell in love with the breathtaking mountain landscape and even more so with Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, which had opened only three years before his birth. All in all, the history of the grande dame and the cinema master were interwined for almost five full decades.

To mark the occasion of his 120th birthday, his favourite St. Moritz hotel will honour him once more by showing his great cinema classics on the big screen in the Embassy Ballroom, including those inspired by St. Moritz and the Palace. Hitchcock didn’t just enjoy the hustle and bustle of elegant travellers in Le Grand Hall with his wife Alma and Hollywood stars like Gregory Peck. Hitch first visited Badrutt's Palace Hotel with a film crew in 1924. A young assistant director at the time, he was looking for glamorous film locations for Graham Cutts' film "The Prude's Fall". Although no part of the film was short here, he fell in love with St. Moritz. Two years later, from 4th to 10th December, he honeymooned with Alma in the beautiful suite 501, wich became his regular suite - for Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries. Evelyne Lüthi-Graf, art historian and archivist responsible for the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel archives, combed through old guest books and found out that the master of black humour loved pranking other guests. He also didn‘t take himself too seriously. For example, she discovered notes by Hansjürg Badrutt, quoting Hitchcock as follows: «I’m a thin man accidentally born in a fat body.»

Of course he indulged in the exquisite Haute Cuisine and enjoyed exploring the labyrinthine wine cellar at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. Hitch and Alma enjoyed many meals, lunches and dinners in the company of Anikò and Hansjürg Badrutt. The two couples shared an amusing «birthday coincidence» – Anikò and Hansjürg Badrutt were born on 13th and 14th October 1930, while Alfred and Alma Hitchcock were also born on two consecutive days, 13th and 14th August 1899. Another coincidence - Hitchcock's daughter Patricia and Hansjürg Badrutt were almost the same age. They had a strong bond.

Hitchcock didn’t come to ski, he particularly enjoyed extended walks through nature on his many visits. And he liked to celebrate - for example with Marlene Dietrich, whose 60th birthday party was held at Badrutt's Pakace Hotel on 27th December 1961. The famous director had already filmed the classic thriller "Stage FRight", starring Dietrich as diva, in 1950. Badrutt's Palace Hotel magically attracted the master of suspense. It didn’t just inspire him personally, but also professionally, for example for his film "The Birds". See for yourself and compare! Those who want to truly follow in the footsteps of Hitchcock can try to book his suite 501, sit with a Hitchcockian cigar at the Renaissance Bar and jpin the screening in the Embassy Ballroom. Happy Birthday, Mr. Hitchcock!

HITCHCOCK SPECIAL

  • 3 nights stay in the Hitchcock Suite
  • Buffet breakfast
  • Live screenings of Hitchcock's most celebrated films on Fridays and Sundays
  • One hour cocktail making class in the Renaissance Bar
  • Free use of mountain cable cars and local public transportation in Summer 2019
  • WiFi internet access
  • Rolls Royce transfers from train station St. Moritz (available on request)
  • Butler Service in all one bedroom suites
  • Liquor bar with Whisky, Gin, Vodka, Rum
  • Refreshment bar
  • Child care at ›Kids' Club Palazzino‹ (3-12 years, exkl. lunch & dinner)
  • Newspaper
  • Movie channels
  • Entry to ›Palace Wellness‹
For more information please the Hitchcock Special click here.

Hitchcock & The Palace