Laagers Hotel Garni — Restaurant in Samedan

When I heard I was to be staying in a small no-star hotel above a bakery, my expectations were lowered consideably, and I prepared myself for the worst scenarios. I could not have been more wrong. ||||To begin with, the reception could not be more delightful: It is simply the bakery counter. More than a hundred different breads, cakes, and delectable chocolate confections greet you as you are handed the keys to your apartment by the ever friendly and helpful Mrs Laager. ||||I found the apartment to be both spacious, modern, and comfortable. The kitchen and bathroom have obviously recently been re-done, and refitted with some brand new appliances. It actually has a capacity of six persons, although we occupied it with half as many. ||||I had not expected room service at all, but the apartment was always suspiciously neat and tidy after we had returned from hiking, and I discovered that there were indeed maids cleaning all the rooms (and who does an excellent job of it). I have found the owner/manager of the hotel, Mrs Laager, and the other members of staff at the bakery to be the most friendly, trusting, and personal hosts I have yet experienced on my travels. They even offered to do the washing for us for free (we insisted on paying them), and it was done the same day, to the highest standard of course, and neatly folded. I should also mention the rooms come with free WiFi, which also works downstairs while you are having breakfast.||||I feel I can't write this review and not mention the breakfasts at the bakery downstairs. It just makes you want to get up in the morning. The selection might not be the largest I have ever had, but it certainly scores highest on quality. Swiss bakeries and their bread are in my opinion the best in the world, and the hotel's morning buffet is a delightful tribute to this.||||The location of the hotel could not be better you have spectacular views of two valleys and their beautiful white-capped mountains. The hotel is at the northeast end of Samedan, and it takes two minutes to get to the centre of the town. Pontresina and St. Moritz are within a radius of five kilometers, and you are situated in the middle of the most magnificent hiking and glorious mountain biking landscape imaginable. ||||What's more, if you stay more than two nights, you get a free chip-travelcard (for a deposit of 50 francs), allowing you to use all the lifts, buses and even the charmingly toy-like Rhätische Bahn train in the Engadin region for absolutely nothing!||||If you are looking for a base for your outdoor adventures in an unbeatable mountain region, and you want a small, friendly and charming lodging, with or without family, then this is the place for you. It may be small, but in my mind it is an undiscovered gem, and a beacon of Swiss hospitality and excellence. I would recommend it to anyone...

When I heard I was to be staying in a small no-star hotel above a bakery, my expectations were lowered consideably, and I prepared myself for the worst scenarios. I could not have been more wrong. ||||To begin with, the reception could not be more delightful: It is simply the bakery counter. More than a hundred different breads, cakes, and delectable chocolate confections greet you as you are handed the keys to your apartment by the ever friendly and helpful Mrs Laager. ||||I found the apartment to be both spacious, modern, and comfortable. The kitchen and bathroom have obviously recently been re-done, and refitted with some brand new appliances. It actually has a capacity of six persons, although we occupied it with half as many. ||||I had not expected room service at all, but the apartment was always suspiciously neat and tidy after we had returned from hiking, and I discovered that there were indeed maids cleaning all the rooms (and who does an excellent job of it). I have found the owner/manager of the hotel, Mrs Laager, and the other members of staff at the bakery to be the most friendly, trusting, and personal hosts I have yet experienced on my travels. They even offered to do the washing for us for free (we insisted on paying them), and it was done the same day, to the highest standard of course, and neatly folded. I should also mention the rooms come with free WiFi, which also works downstairs while you are having breakfast.||||I feel I can't write this review and not mention the breakfasts at the bakery downstairs. It just makes you want to get up in the morning. The selection might not be the largest I have ever had, but it certainly scores highest on quality. Swiss bakeries and their bread are in my opinion the best in the world, and the hotel's morning buffet is a delightful tribute to this.||||The location of the hotel could not be better you have spectacular views of two valleys and their beautiful white-capped mountains. The hotel is at the northeast end of Samedan, and it takes two minutes to get to the centre of the town. Pontresina and St. Moritz are within a radius of five kilometers, and you are situated in the middle of the most magnificent hiking and glorious mountain biking landscape imaginable. ||||What's more, if you stay more than two nights, you get a free chip-travelcard (for a deposit of 50 francs), allowing you to use all the lifts, buses and even the charmingly toy-like Rhätische Bahn train in the Engadin region for absolutely nothing!||||If you are looking for a base for your outdoor adventures in an unbeatable mountain region, and you want a small, friendly and charming lodging, with or without family, then this is the place for you. It may be small, but in my mind it is an undiscovered gem, and a beacon of Swiss hospitality and excellence. I would recommend it to anyone...

The little hotel boast a very popular Swiss bakery downstairs its premises. Its the first thing you see and smell when you walk into the hotel. Secondly, the rooms are one of the coziest I've stayed during my trip. Its a loft room completely made of wood, overlooking the mountains and main Samedan train station. The hotel is also one of the smallest I've stayed - only 4-5 rooms upstairs the bakery but its pretty popular with visitors who prefer to stay in the smaller, less crowded towns outside of St Moritz. The sales lady at the bakery who is also the hotel front office reception who is also the hotel concierge did a really great job serving regular customers coming to buy bread and cakes, while also serving hotel guests with all their queries. I was promptly advised and guided to take bus 16 which I can easily hop on just outside the hotel to neighbouring towns like St Moritz, Pontresina, Celerina and Silvaplana. It was a quick 10 mins bus ride from the hotel to Celerina where we went to a ski school and another 15 mins ride from Celerina to St Moritz itself. The whole bus ride through the Engadin area was very nice and a great way to see all the little towns within the area. We enjoyed our breakfast every morning the time we were there because the pastries and breads were all freshly made. They had a good spread of cheeses and cold cuts and served a signature mountain tea which I liked. We also tried some of their signature desserts which were really good. Having the bakery just downstairs is definitely a highlight of my experience staying here. The hotel is quite conveniently located to the main Samedan train station as well as the local supermarket and some restaurants. Engadin is largely Italian speaking and influenced, so do expect quite a bit of Italian restaurants here. The only comment is that there is no lift to the rooms from downstairs as you can only access through a winding staircase outside of the hotel building which can be a little challenging if you have large suitcases. I was fine walking up with my bagpack and came back down again for my small pull luggage. Service was great and nothing much to complain about as the hotel did prepare my room and extra requirements (ie electric kettle and extra pillows) well. As this was the only room which allows me to enjoy the mountain sunrise view right in bed, its one of the best experience my son and I both enjoyed. We will come back here again if we visit...