Badrutt’s Palace Hotel Managing Director: Richard Leuenberger – Legacy, Trust, & The Art of Timeless Hospitality

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Richard Leuenberger, Managing Director of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, to explore what it takes to steward one of the world’s most storied hotels in a constantly evolving world. Often described as a living museum, Badrutt’s Palace embodies history, nostalgia, and a distinct “time machine” feeling, yet remains deeply relevant to modern, multi-generational travellers. Richard reflects on legacy, Swiss values, and why familiarity, reliability, and consistency are the foundations of true luxury.

The conversation moves through the spirit of St. Moritz, the thrill of the Cresta Run, and the subtle details that define exceptional hospitality, from breakfast rituals and guest arrivals to staff-to-guest ratios, leadership styles, and creating a family feeling within a grand institution. Richard shares how trust is built through care, precision, and respect; why making guests’ ideas and dreams come true matters more than scale; and how to elevate and modernise without erasing soul. A masterclass in hospitality, this episode explores what makes a great general manager, a great lobby, and ultimately, a great guest, revealing why respect transcends manners and legacy is earned daily.

Filmed at The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:13) “Time Machine Feeling” ⏳✨

(03:38) The Cresta Run 🛷❄️

(04:01) St. Moritz 🏔️✨

(06:26) Multi-generational Travel 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✈️

(07:18) Hotel Values 🏨💎

(11:43) Care & Precision 🧤🎯

(13:24) Trust & Access 🔑🤝🏻

(17:51) Breakfast Says It All 🥐☕

(19:19) Joining Badrutt’s Palace 🏰🤍

(24:16) Staff-To-Guest Ratio 👥⚖️

(25:47) Guest Arrival 🚪✨

(26:40) Types Of Leadership 🧭👥

(29:45) Family Feeling 🤍🏡

(34:25) Guest Loyalty 🔁💎

(34:52) Elevating & Modernising ⬆️🆕

(39:11) What Makes A Great General Manager 👔⭐

(42:43) Obsessed With Scale 📐🔥

(45:22) Health & Wellness 🌿🧘‍♂️

(47:12) Being A Great Guest 🎩🙂

(48:02) Respect Transcends Manners 🌍🤍

(52:04) Hidden Gem 💎👀

(53:49) What Makes A Great Lobby 🛋️✨

(1:00:31) Mountain Living 🏔️🏡

(1:03:18) Nostalgia 📼🤍

(1:05:12) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

(1:08:36) Being Swiss 🇨🇭💎

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