view on mountains view on mountains
Cresta Palace Celerina

Your hotel in the middle of the Alps

Just around the corner

Tradition and modernity

A hotel with history goes new ways. A path between tradition and modernity, between the familiar and the surprising. We would have a lot to tell you at this point. But it is the anticipation that belongs to it, the palpitations before the unknown. Are you excited?

Discover the Cresta Palace Celerina, experience new perspectives in a place full of fresh energy and enjoy the individual luxury.

lobby of cresta palace hotel

Creative minimalist

Your host

Bardhyl Coli is an experienced Swiss hotelier who has held senior positions in global hotel chains as well as in various renowned, privately run properties. Most recently, Bardhyl Coli was General Manager of the five-star Hotel Arosa Kulm. He now brings his passion for hospitality and quality to the Cresta Palace Celerina.

 

«It is the love for hotels and the pleasure in dealing with people who make my work so valuable. Interesting encounters, captivating conversations and happy guests – that’s what motivates me!

 

I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you soon at the Cresta Palace Celerina.»

 

Bardhyl Coli with the entire Cresta Palace Team

 

Travel comfortably

Arrival by car

The Engadine can be reached by car via the various Alpine passes. From Zurich, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Chur and over the Julier Pass to St. Moritz. From Milan, drive via Lecco along Lake Como to Chiavenna and over the Maloja Pass into the Engadine.

Arrival by train

The Cresta Palace Celerina can be reached safely and comfortably by public transport. The Rhaetian Railway station is 200 metres away on foot. From Zurich you can travel to Celerina in 3 hours. For a luggage-free journey, we offer you an attractive luggage service together with the SBB: Your suitcases and bags will be collected from your home and will be waiting for you in your hotel room when you arrive. We are also happy to take care of the return transport. 

Arrival by plane

Engadin Airport is 10 minutes away and can be reached by private aircraft or charter. The other airports are in Zurich or Milan, from where you can reach Celerina by public transport, rental car or taxi.

Allow us to introduce...

4 questions for Bardhyl Coli

Mr Coli, who are you?

‘I am a creative minimalist and, above all, I am a passionate hotelier and host. As a young man, I decided to pursue a career in the hospitality industry instead of professional football, and that decision was absolutely the right one.’

 

What do you bring to the table?

‘Above all, I bring joy and friendliness, two qualities that I consider essential as the host of a hotel where guests come to spend their holidays and want to have a relaxing and unforgettable time.’

 

What is special about the Cresta Palace Celerina?

‘The Cresta Palace definitely impresses with its exceptional location in the heart of the Engadin. But what really makes it special is the team, whose long-standing employees and young talents impress with their authentic and warm hospitality and make your stay unique.’


What are you feeling excited about?

‘I’m looking forward to interesting encounters, exciting conversations and, above all, happy guests!’

Meet our team

portrait of member of cresta palace hotel

Evin Dilmen

HUMAN RESOURCE & ACCOUNTING MANAGER

portrait of a man who works at cresta palace

Luka Druzovec

GUEST EXPERIENCE MANAGER

portrait of worker smiling into the camera

Saša Dzever

Housekeeping Manager

Liane Kohl

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER

two workers smiling at each other

Silvana Schmidt & Uwe Schachameier

Spa Management

portrait of a worker at cresta palace

Rolf Schmitz

Executive Chef

portrait of a woman who works at cresta palace hotel

Liv Stigler

Reservation & Event Manager

Annelie Ward

Food & Beverage Manager

Zsanett Zana

Front Office Manager

History

old picture of cresta palace in a small village

Since 1820, "modern" roads have also been built in Graubünden. In 1882, the Gotthard railway took away significant traffic over the mountains from our canton and people turned more to tourism, which became an important branch of the economy after the Franco-German war.

1820 – 1823

Contribution to tourism

In 1903, the Albula railway to Celerina was put into operation. It brought the expected great upswing to the Engadine, especially in winter. Messrs Meng, Piderman and Gyr formed an initiative committee with the aim of building a larger hotel in Celerina as well. In February 1905 the new project was presented and on 15 April 1905 the company was founded. Just 14 months later, the Cresta Palace Hotel was opened.

1903 - 1906

Opening of the Cresta Palace Hotel
the cresta palace hotel in the early days

As the space soon became insufficient, a new building with another 100 beds was inaugurated in 1912. With the outbreak of the First World War, there was a dramatic change and the hotel was used as military quarters in the meantime. In 1925, the first 8 rooms were equipped with running water.

1912 - 1925

New building

The stock market crash in 1929 and the subsequent economic crisis put a stop to the upswing in Graubünden tourism. The overvaluation of the Swiss franc as well as travel and foreign exchange restrictions did the rest. Hotel frequencies fell drastically and the average bed occupancy rate settled at a low 24 percent between 1931 and 1937. Between 1939 and 1946, the hotel remained closed for 7 years.

1929 - 1953

Turbulent years

In the sixties, the call for hotel-owned indoor swimming pools became louder and louder. Fitness was the trend and so a new hall with a swimming pool was inaugurated in 1966. In the course of time, the venerable Furnel restaurant gave way to today's "vita pura" area.

60s

New hall with swimming pool
village and cresta palace hotel in the winter

The kitchen was renovated in 1990 and equipped with the latest appliances. It is one of the few kitchens that has daylight. Only two years later, the west terrace became the light-flooded winter garden.

1990 - 1992

Modernisation of the kitchen
entrance of cresta palace hotel

In 1998, a gentle renovation of the Art Nouveau hall took place. In 2005/2006, the new wellness facility with 1200 sqm was inaugurated, which was extended by the activity centre «staziun da basa» in December 2016.

1998 - 2016

Renovations & extensions of the hotel
View of a large hotel room with a table, desk and bed, as well as blue walls

In 2022, the Cresta Palace made history once again and set an important milestone in the history of this hotel legend. In only 3 months of construction, 40 rooms and suites were lovingly renovated and redesigned in homage to the aesthetics and elegance of Art Nouveau. When redesigning, special attention was paid to details and a warm atmosphere and characteristic elements of Art Nouveau were translated into the modern era - paired with the advantages of a modern room product that leaves nothing to be desired.

2022 - 2025

Art Nouveau newly interpreted
A bedside lamp is lit, beneath it lies a book, a glass of water and a bottle against a red background.

Just in time for the start of the 2025 summer season, guests can look forward to 20 gently renovated Art Nouveau rooms and junior suites on the first and second floors of the east wing. These add another highlight to the elegant range of rooms on offer. The new interior colour scheme echoes the complete renovation of the west wing, which was completed in 2022, but also adds its own distinctive touches – carpets, curtains and furniture reflect the characteristic design language of the Art Nouveau era and lend the rooms a timeless elegance. The Grand Restaurant has also been carefully redesigned – the elegance of the Belle Époque can be felt in every corner of the impressive restaurant.

2025

Another chapter in the hotel's history

Travel comfortably

Arrival by car

The Engadine can be reached by car via the various Alpine passes. From Zurich, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Chur and over the Julier Pass to St. Moritz. From Milan, drive via Lecco along Lake Como to Chiavenna and over the Maloja Pass into the Engadine.

Arrival by train

The Cresta Palace Celerina can be reached safely and comfortably by public transport. The Rhaetian Railway station is 200 metres away on foot. From Zurich you can travel to Celerina in 3 hours. For a luggage-free journey, we offer you an attractive luggage service together with the SBB: Your suitcases and bags will be collected from your home and will be waiting for you in your hotel room when you arrive. We are also happy to take care of the return transport. 

Arrival by plane

Engadin Airport is 10 minutes away and can be reached by private aircraft or charter. The other airports are in Zurich or Milan, from where you can reach Celerina by public transport, rental car or taxi.