Glacier Express Reimagines Luxury Rail with ‘Excellence Class’

Think it doesn’t get any better than First Class? Think again.

The Glacier Express in mountainous Switzerland has introduced a new premium class aptly called ‘Excellence Class’, available to just 20 people per train.

The Excellence Class experience evokes memories of the golden age of train travel, beginning at the platform, where a red carpet is rolled out and a concierge checks in passengers, taking their baggage and offering them champagne. Once onboard, passengers are waited on by the experienced crew, who serve an exquisite five-course meal of authentic freshly cooked Swiss fare, along with matching wines and afternoon tea shortly after.

Every passenger in Excellence Class is given a plush leather seat and a window, where they can enjoy all of the natural, unadulterated views that Switzerland has to offer. Dubbed the world’s slowest express train, the Glacier Express takes roughly eight hours to reach its final destination, allowing passengers to fully immerse themselves in the journey’s exquisite sights.

The route takes passengers from the Engadine in eastern Switzerland to the famous Matterhorn in the centre of the country, passing through remote valleys, sheer rock faces and idyllic mountain villages. The route also passes through the Rhine Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland, and scales the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of its journey, with ease.

At either end of this train journey stand the dazzling St. Moritz and the equally sophisticated Zermatt, where three of the world’s best hotels have come together to offer guests a special package. This package conveniently allows travellers to spend a night at each hotel.

The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz has changed considerably since its opening in 1856. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz has 164 rooms, five restaurants, a spa complete with saunas, a jacuzzi and a steam room, an indoor pool, a fully-equipped gym and six conference rooms. There are also many sports and entertainment facilities, including a golf course, three tennis courts, and a Kids’ Club.

Grand Hotel Kronenhof, located six miles from St. Moritz, offers the best of both worlds, with the chance to enjoy the glitz of St. Moritz while staying in a peaceful mountain village. Grand Hotel Kronenhof contains a stunning spa complex, complete with a wide range of saunas and steam rooms, an infinity pool, and private massage suites for couples. The hotel also contains three restaurants, an original 19th-century bowling alley, and extensive children’s activities.

Mont Cervin Palace, a hotel in Zermatt within touching distance of the Matterhorn, offers multiple different room styles and six exquisite restaurants. There are also a variety of events for guests to enjoy, including a folklore festival, a gondola breakfast, and the Zermatt music festival.

A night at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and a night at Mont Cervin Palace starts at CHF 1020 for two people sharing a double room on a half-board basis, with complimentary transfers to and from the rail station. This price is valid from 21 June to 1 September 2019.

A night at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof and a night at Mont Cervin Palace starts at CHF 975 for two people sharing a double room on a half-board basis, with complimentary transfers to and from the rail station. This price is valid from 14 June to 25 September 2019. Train tickets are not included for either of these offers.

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