IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau

The hotel’s timber façade faces the pond and the Engadin’s larches.

A week here, month by month

I would come to Cadonau for a holiday built around the table, with mountains outside the room. To spend evenings walking between shops and bars, I would choose a larger village.

Book direct The hotel website

Is it for you?

For 2, I would choose the SPA Suite with its private sauna, steam shower and whirlpool bath.

I’d ask for
A pillow from the included selection to suit how we sleep.
Worth knowing
Pets are not allowed in this category.
The SPA Suite with bath, fireplace and bed behind curtains

Like a regular

The natural swimming pond with rocks and mountains beyond

9 min readHow we write the guide

  1. Beef in Swiss pine

    At Stüvetta, I would try the Engadin beef fillet medallion wrapped in Brail Swiss pine, with seasonal accompaniments. For a dinner led by the kitchen, there is also a 3–5-course menu.

  2. Eggs on the old stove

    At breakfast, Stüvetta brings a personal tiered stand to the table alongside the buffet of regional and homemade food. Egg dishes are prepared in the breakfast kitchen on the old wood-burning stove.

  3. The champagne cellar

    Since December 2022, a cellar has been dedicated to Veuve Clicquot, holding rarities from different Cave Privée vintages. For a bottle to remember, I would start with this collection.

What Cadonau is

IN LAIN is a 5-star superior hotel in Brail, between the Upper and Lower Engadin. Its 14 rooms and suites occupy a house dating from 1590 and a contemporary wing. The Cadonau family opened it in 2010. Its Romansh name means “in wood”.123

In the Lumina Guide

Lumina Guide 2027

We choose the hotels of this guide ourselves, one at a time: no one pays to be in it.

Distinctions

How we choose the hotels

The 5 things that matter, as guests tell them

What do IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau’s guests say? They write it in their reviews, even those who only came for a drink or dinner: we read every one and tell the 5 things that matter, from the location to the bill.

  1. Location

    One guest hears the Inn from the terrace. Another finds the surroundings peaceful but a little far from the centre.

  2. Room

    One guest remembers the scent of Swiss pine and an adjustable bed. Another describes good-sized, spotless rooms.

  3. Staff and service

    9 in 10 guests who mention it are happy with it. One guest finds the team kind and the spa enjoyable. A lunch visitor describes difficulties with language and the menu provided.

  4. Breakfast

    One guest describes a varied, delicious breakfast. Another remembers the cake brought for her birthday.

  5. Price

    A lunch visitor finds the portions small for the bill.

How we count
IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau in numbers
WhatGuests’ scoreGuests who mention itHappy
Location8.61292%
Room7.5888%
Staff and service8.12685%
Breakfast8.03100%
Price–20%

30 guests said so on Google, from 9 November 2024 to 28 August 2026. Includes meals and visits without an overnight stay. The other hotels are assessed on the same 5 themes. The score is the average of what they say, from 0 if they speak of it very badly to 10 if they speak of it very well. Where only a few mention something, the score stays close to the guide’s average: a handful of voices does not make a reputation.

The hotels we weigh it against among Engadin hotels:

Price: for 2, the night of 6 December 2026, from 498 CHF on Google Hotels on 3 November 2026.

What a night costs, period by period

The holidays between 2026 and 2027 cost more than the first weeks of December.

PeriodCHF a night
6 November to 23 December 2026498–902
24 December 2026 to 3 January 2027921–1,342
4 January to 14 January 2027498–713
15 January to 23 January 20271,172 every night
24 January to 25 September 2027498–1,172

One night for 2 adults, at the lowest seller on Google Hotels; room category, meals and taxes unspecified. Prices from Google Hotels, 3 November 2026.

Cadonau in winter, in 2014

The hotel and Brail under snow in the aerial film published by IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau on 22 May 2014.

YouTube
0:44
The snow-covered suite wing in the 2014 filmfrom 0:44 · IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau · 22 May 2014Watch on YouTube
YouTube
1:42
Brail and the hotel under snow in the 2014 filmfrom 1:42 · IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau · 22 May 2014Watch on YouTube

Where to linger

The Swiss pine-lined Stüvetta and tables beside the windows

Choose wine in the cellar

At VIVANDA, you can choose wine directly in the cellar before the surprise tasting menu. The Chef’s Table faces the kitchen and red-wine cellar: it seats 2–8 beneath the historic house’s vaults.1

The timber sauna with glazing towards the mountains

The sauna faces the Inn Gorge

The sauna glazing faces the Inn Gorge. Afterwards there is a cool garden shower and a Swiss pine relaxation room. This is the part of the day for which I would keep the afternoon free.1

Good to know before you book

  • For individual bookings, any deposit is returned as a voucher up to 14 days before arrival. From day 14 to day 7 the charge is 50%; from day 6 to arrival it is 100% of the booked stay. Cancellations must be in writing.1

  • Dogs must be registered before arrival and cost CHF 45 a night, excluding food. They can join you at Stüvetta and on the terrace; other shared spaces, including the garden, are excluded.1

  • The whole hotel can be hired for a wedding. The 2026 wedding brochure allows up to 40 at VIVANDA and 50–100 for a garden aperitif; capacity and seating depend on the arrangement.12

  • Nature Spa Days includes 3 nights, breakfast, 3- and 4-course Stüvetta dinners, an 8-course VIVANDA tasting menu and a 50-minute massage. In an Engadine Junior Suite it starts at CHF 1,789 per person for the package, based on 2 sharing; availability depends on the dates.1

  • The minibar, still and sparkling mineral water, homemade chocolates and fruit are included. Swiss Pine Champagne is offered on arrival.1

Choose your room

The Engadine Junior Suite bed among Swiss pine wallsEngadine Junior Suite35 m²In the historic house, with a private 10 m² south-facing terrace and freestanding bath. The bed measures 180 × 200 cm.View the room The Terrace Junior Suite with red armchairs and glazingTerrace Junior Suite45 m²The bed measures 200 × 200 cm. A bathroom window looks through the suite towards the mountains.View the room The Garden Suite bed and glazing towards the lawnGarden Suite65 m²The covered terrace has a small private garden and direct access to the hotel garden. There is also a walk-in dressing room.View the room The SPA Suite bed with the bath to the leftSPA Suite85 m²The bedroom and sitting room can be separated. The private terrace faces the National Park mountains.View the room The Engadine Family Room table and chairsEngadine Family Room45 m²In the Engadin house, close to the restaurants. The bathroom has a freestanding bath and a toilet with shower.View the room The Family Room sitting area with sofa and kitchenFamily Room65 m²In the historic house, with a sitting room, table and small kitchen. The children’s bedroom has a double bed.View the room

Getting here

AddressCrusch Plantaun 217, 7527 Brail

The transfer from Cinuos-chel-Brail station is free by reservation. Transfers to other nearby towns are charged and subject to availability: Zernez is CHF 50 each way, St. Moritz or Pontresina CHF 150. In snowfall, I would use the Vereina car train rather than drive over the passes.1

A day at Cadonau

In the morning

A massage after exercise

The sports massage lasts 50 minutes and costs CHF 160. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead; later, the full treatment is charged.

Heading for the forest

The snowshoe package

The Snowshoe Offer package includes snowshoes to borrow, a trail map, a picnic and hot tea to take outside. For a day in the snow, I would start here.

In the afternoon

Coffee on the terrace

Coffee and homemade cakes are served on the terrace from 8am. Following its spring 2025 redesign, it also has 2 lounge seating areas and a weather-protected outdoor kitchen.

At dinner

Saffron in the fondue

At Käserei, choose saffron, truffle or herb fondue. The cheese made here is also sold in the shop: that is what I would take home at the end of the holiday.

After dinner

The Cigar Lounge

For cigar smokers, the Cigar Lounge looks over the mountains and garden. You can listen to your preferred music while spending the rest of the evening here.

Reviews of IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau

Experiences of stays and restaurant visits; dates are publication dates.

Google

Guest voices

Google

The hot tub under snow

A guest describes cosy rooms and shared spaces and using the hot tub and saunas under snow. The review recommends booking ahead and would have liked clearer garage directions and better cigar-lounge ventilation.

Google · 2026-01-10Read on Google
Google

Sleep shapes the verdict

A guest likes the food and restaurant staff but describes a hot, noisy first room beside the road and uncomfortable beds even after moving. The review finds the SPA Suite attractive and its sauna working.

Google · 2026-07-04Read on Google

Before you travel

How much does it cost to stay at IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau?

One night for 2 adults: 16 December 2026, CHF 498; 15 February 2027, CHF 528; 12 July 2027, CHF 549. Room category, meals and taxes unspecified. Prices from Google Hotels, 3 November 2026.1

Can I park at the hotel?

Yes. Outdoor parking is included; the garage costs CHF 25 a day. The AVIA station has 2 AC charging points and is operated through its app; check the charging tariff in the app before starting.123

What activities does IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau offer?

The swimming facility is an outdoor natural pond in the hotel garden, fed by the hotel’s own spring, for swimming in summer. The garden also has a sauna. They are included with the rooms; massages are booked separately. Activities outside the hotel follow the seasons, including hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.1234

Does the hotel have a hot tub?

Yes. The outdoor tub holds Swiss pine water at 38°C and is heated with Swiss pine wood. It is used in summer and winter and is included with the rooms.12

Which restaurants are at the hotel?

La Stüvetta serves lunch 11.30am–2pm and dinner 6pm–10.30pm, with an afternoon menu from 2pm. Käserei opens in winter Thursday–Sunday from 6pm, serving fondue and raclette alongside cheese-making demonstrations.12

What are the check-in and check-out times?

I would arrive from 3pm to have the room ready; check-out is by 11am. Luggage can be stored before and after your stay.1

Still choosing

The hotel tower and flower-filled balconies before the mountain

Relais & Châteaux Chasa Montana

The Chasa Montana tower rises among flower-filled balconies and the mountain.

The Bergoase glass sails lit in the snow

Tschuggen Grand Hotel

The Bergoase’s glass sails glow among the snow in Arosa.

The outdoor pool between the hotel and Lake Lugano

Swiss Diamond Hotel

The outdoor pool stretches between the hotel and Lake Lugano.

The hotel among larches with the lake and mountains at sunset

Waldhaus Sils

Waldhaus among the larches, with the lake and mountains at sunset.

The Splendide Royal façade on the lakefront

Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

The pale façade and blue awnings face Lugano’s lakefront.

The illuminated Kulm Country Club, with the hotel and snowy mountains

Kulm Hotel St. Moritz

The illuminated Kulm Country Club, with the hotel and snowy mountains.

The lake at sunset from the MET Rooftop seating

Hôtel Métropole Genève

From the MET Rooftop seating, look out over the lake at sunset.

Castello del Sole between fields, park and lake

Castello del Sole

A private beach and parkland on Lake Maggiore.

The long white façade of the hotel with the Davos mountains behind

Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Belvédère

The grand hotel’s white façade runs balcony after balcony, with the Davos mountains behind.

The Dolder Grand from the air at sunset: the turreted 1899 building between its two curved modern wings, on the wooded hillside above Zurich

The Dolder Grand

Curhaus towers above Zurich, art in the corridors and warm water facing the city.

The Belle Époque façade on Rue du Grand-Chêne: red awnings, wrought-iron balconies and the carved gable above the columned entrance porch lettered “Lausanne-Palace”, with flags; the brasserie’s green awning on the left

Lausanne Palace

Lausanne climbs behind the palace; from the right rooms, the lake appears beyond the rooftops.

Steam rising in the morning from the outdoor sports pool, with frost on the shrubs and the garden, the chalet wings with their wooden balconies on the right and rocky peaks against a clear sky on the left

ERMITAGE Wellness- & Spa-Hotel

At Ermitage, the afternoon means cake at Bärgblick.

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14 photographs

The timber-clad hotel above its pond among the larches
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The natural swimming pond with rocks and mountains beyond
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The Swiss pine-lined Stüvetta and tables beside the windows
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The timber sauna with glazing towards the mountains
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The Engadine Junior Suite bed among Swiss pine walls
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The Terrace Junior Suite with red armchairs and glazing
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The Garden Suite bed and glazing towards the lawn
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The SPA Suite bed with the bath to the left
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The Engadine Family Room table and chairs
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The Family Room sitting area with sofa and kitchen
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The SPA Suite with bath, fireplace and bed behind curtains
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The 2 children’s beds in the Engadine Family Room
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VIVANDA’s round dining tables and view over the garden
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The lounge with its timber ceiling, stone walls and fireplace
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