IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau
Family-run Alpine luxury with an intensely personal culinary identity. Small, warm, quiet. Scented with Swiss stone pine throughout.
Book VIVANDA well in advance — it's a destination restaurant that fills up independently of hotel stays. Cancellations within 48 hours incur a CHF 150 per person charge.
Why It Matters
Switzerland's smallest 5-star superior hotel, and a Relais & Châteaux member since 2013. Chef Dario Cadonau's VIVANDA restaurant holds 1 Michelin star and 17 GaultMillau points — one of the best restaurant kitchens in the Swiss Alps. The wood craftsmanship is exceptional: Dario's brother Marco runs a woodworking studio that shaped the entire interior. Minergie-certified for energy efficiency.
Fourteen rooms in a 400-year-old Engadine farmhouse and a modern wooden extension, run entirely by the Cadonau family since opening in 2010. Sitting at 1,624 meters above sea level in Lower Engadine — 27 km from St. Moritz — this Minergie-certified low-energy property is Switzerland's smallest 5-star superior hotel. Chef Dario Cadonau earned a Michelin star here, and the food alone is worth the detour. Wood — ancient stone pine, larch, fir — dominates every surface, giving the place a warmth and scent you won't find in bigger, flashier properties.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Engadine Family Room
Also in the original Engadine house. Set up for two adults and two children at 45 m². Part of the historic building, so it comes with all that atmospheric old-wood character.
45 sqm
Engadine Junior Suite
Located in the 430-year-old original Engadine house — the most historic room category. If you want to sleep inside a genuine 17th-century Engadine structure wrapped in centuries-old wood paneling, this is your room.
Family Room
The larger family option at 65 m². Two separate bedrooms, a living room and a small kitchen — effectively a self-contained apartment. Best for families who want privacy between parents and children, or slightly longer stays.
65 sqmGarden Suite
Four of these in the new building. Stone pine-scented interiors with discreet fabrics and premium materials. Direct access to the hotel garden and outdoor hot tub. Great views of the National Park mountains. This is the most popular room type for couples.
65 sqmSpa Suite
The flagship category. Flooded in natural light and kitted out with an integrated private spa area — sauna, whirlpool and steam bath are all included. Premium bedding with a pillow menu, minibar, espresso maker, flat-screen TV, bathrobe and slippers. Views over the mountain garden.
85 sqmTerrace Junior Suite
Spacious entrance area opening to a 45 m² living and sleeping space. The wood contrast against lighter fabrics is well-judged. Private terrace for morning coffee in the Alps. Lighter on price than the larger suites.
45 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
6 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Periodic hands-on cooking courses led by Dario Cadonau and his team — topics include fish dishes & sauces, and vegetarian vegetable & herb menus. Check the events calendar for scheduled dates.
A C8 Corvette with a naturally-aspirated V8 (495 hp / 637 Nm) available for daily or half-day hire. Brail sits at the junction of some of the Alps' best mountain passes. CHF 840/day (250 km included) or CHF 450/half-day (125 km).
The Upper Engadine cross-country network is the largest in Switzerland, including trails over frozen lakes and through snow-covered forests.
Access to Switzerland's largest winter sports region. Four large ski areas within the Engadine, reachable by car from the hotel.
Marked snowshoe and winter hiking trails in the valley, including routes across frozen lakes, through snow-covered forests, and along the Inn river.
Two hotel e-bikes available for guests to explore the Engadine valley. Suitable for all terrains. Book in advance at reception or when making your room reservation.
400 km of signposted mountain bike routes across the Engadine. Organized guided tours also available through local operators.
The Engadine Golf Club (founded 1893, Switzerland's oldest) runs two 18-hole courses at Samedan and Zuoz. The Golf Included package covers unlimited green fees during the summer season.
The Swiss National Park is effectively at the hotel's door (5 miles from the National Park Visitor Center). In summer, chamois, ibex and marmots are regularly sighted. The Hiking Package includes a private guided tour in the park.
A diverse trail network through the National Park. Public transport and mountain railways allow you to plan one-way routes without doubling back.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Unique in Switzerland — rare collector Veuve Clicquot bottles. Opened December 2022.
All pastries, ice creams and chocolates are made on-site.
Fine wine selection stored in uncovered original stone masonry. Guests can select bottles directly from the cellar.
In-suite breakfast available with no fixed time limit for suite guests.
Dual AC charging points for electric cars and scooters. Startable via the AVIA app. Available to hotel guests and restaurant visitors.
Experienced babysitters available for in-suite childcare while parents dine. CHF 20/hour for 1 child, +CHF 5/hour per additional child.
Dedicated cigar lounge in the new building with access to the garden and open views.
Covered garage space available at CHF 25/day, reservation required.
Well-behaved dogs welcome in select room categories. CHF 45/night. Dog beds, bowls, treats and towels provided. Dogs permitted in La Stüvetta and the terrace.
Official IN LAIN app for stay information, exclusive offers and hotel tips.
Hotel will collect guests from Cinuos-chel-Brail RhB train station if arrival time is shared in advance.
BUILD YOUR IN LAIN HOTEL CADONAU PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning