Hotel Bernina — Hotel in Pontresina

After travelling from Zermatt on the Glacier Express we chose to stay in the village of Pontresina instead of St. Moritz and we were so pleased we did.||The owner of the Hotel Bernina met us at the train station in Pontresina.||This is an old small hotel, furnished in a traditional style. The quirky old elevator transported us up to our fourth floor corner room which offered spectacular mountain views from the wrap around balcony. The room itself was spacious, spotlessly clean and very elegantly furnished with a comfortable bed and two large comfy armchairs. The en-suite bathroom which had green tiling was also very large with a shower over the bath. We were disappointed however that the only toiletries supplied were two tiny bars of soap but a trip to the local CoOp some 80 m away soon rectified this where shower gel was purchased.||The wi-fi signal in our room was very weak but there was a huge guest lounge on the first floor which in contrast to the rest of the hotel was furnished in a very contemporary style and had an enormous flat screen TV and a superb sound system if you wanted some music but we just took advantage of the full internet coverage there. There was also a tea and coffee station in the adjacent room.||Breakfast was served in a light and airy breakfast room with a perfectly acceptable cold buffet breakfast available.||We were on half board and dinner was served in the elegant Locanda restaurant.||However the main course menu was limited to one choice of meat or vegetarian but our hostess was happy to offer us an alternative one evening. The food was delicious and the service exceptional.||We stayed four nights at the Bernina and this entitled us to a free Engadin travel pass which was invaluable for travelling on the local buses with the bus stops close by and to visit the Diavolezza cable car to view the stunning Morteratsch Glacier.||We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Bernina and if you prefer small family run hotels this place is...

A Culinary Masterclass: Five Days of Gastronomic Bliss||Over the past five days, Jaqueline and David have delivered nothing short of a culinary tour de force, a veritable feast for both the palate and the soul. From the very first bite to the last lingering flavor, their food has been a masterclass in precision, creativity, and passion. ||Every dish has been a triumph, showcasing an impeccable understanding of flavors, textures, and presentation. The balance between innovation and comfort was evident in every course, as they seamlessly combined bold, inventive ideas with the kind of warmth that makes a meal unforgettable. ||The ingredients—each carefully sourced and flawlessly prepared—stood as a testament to their commitment to quality. Whether it was a hearty main dish, a delicate starter, or a decadent dessert, the attention to detail was nothing short of extraordinary. The flavors were layered and complex, yet harmonious, leaving me in awe of their artistry. ||Their ability to craft meals that cater to a variety of tastes while maintaining such high standards of excellence is no small feat. It is clear that Jaqueline,David and the team cook not just with their hands but with their hearts, infusing each dish with love and soul. ||In a world where culinary mediocrity is all too common, Jaqueline and David remind us what food can and should be—an experience, a memory, and, ultimately, a joy. I can say with the utmost confidence that their creations over the last five days have set a new benchmark for excellence. ||Bravo,...

Second stay, see my Aug 2016 review. All I said then still stands, except Sandra's no longer there, shame, but if anything the food is better, either that or my appreciation is affected by a less than satisfactory experience elsewhere last year.|Different room, same floor, basin no longer in bedroom, which is odd as the rooms on the fire escape map appear the same size. Two chairs this time, so perhaps the room was bigger. |Tripadvisor's headline photo of a somewhat luxurious chandeliered dining room is of the Hotel Bernina in Samedan, which I pointed out some years ago.|Rooms are being renovated, and from what I glimpsed through an open door, very nicely, to a high standard. Which is only what I'd expect from the standards set by the hotel. |I hope those staying in renovated rooms were paying more than us, but hope prices don't increase when the renovation is complete, which will make the hotel expensive, and is a contradiction, so I'll probably be disappointed.|I thought the dated effect was an affectation, but the carpet in our room was very badly faded to judge from the colour away from the window, but spotless and not at all worn, just the colour...