---
type: "Article"
title: "A jewel in wood: the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau in the Engadine"
description: "Converted from an over 450-year old house in Brail, the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau is a jewel of a hotel that is also the life’s work for many generations of a family."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/switzerland/in-lain-hotel-cadonau-engadine"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 15
tags: ["Alps", "Boutique Hotel", "Dinner", "Gourmet", "Relais & Châteaux", "Switzerland"]
entities:
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/schweizerischer-nationalpark"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/boutique-hotel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/golf"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/design"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culture"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/wellness-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/swiss-international-air-lines"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-05T18:08:13+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2015-01-03T20:45:32+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: in-lain-hotel-cadonau-engadine.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
timestamp: 2026-07-05T18:08:13+00:00
---

# A jewel in wood: the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau in the Engadine

> The IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau in Brail, Engadine, is a boutique Relais & Châteaux hotel converted from a 450-year-old Engadine house, renowned for its all-wood interiors crafted by the Cadonau family and Michelin-starred fine dining.

## Destination
Brail, Engadine, Switzerland, at the entrance to the Swiss National Park.

## Why visit
A rare combination of heritage architecture, artisan wood craftsmanship, and top-tier gastronomy — including one Michelin star and 15 Gault-Millau points — set within spectacular alpine scenery.

## What to see
- **IN LAIN Wood Works interiors** — Hand-carved reception desk, Swiss pine parquet floors, and wooden details throughout every room and suite, all crafted by Marco Cadonau.
- **Deck Suite views** — Floor-to-ceiling outlook over Engadine alpine scenery, also visible from the suite's bathtub.
- **Vaulted cellar of Restaurant VIVANDA** — Richly wood-appointed gourmet dining room with candlelight and a crackling fireplace in an exclusive cellar setting.

## What to do
- **Pine tub bathing** — Outdoor wooden bathtub filled with pine-scented spring water heated to 38°C by pine logs.
- **Bio swimming pool** — Lap pool fed by the hotel's own natural spring water.
- **Bio-sauna** — Garden sauna alongside the pine tub and sun terrace.
- **SPA Suite wellness** — Private 85 m² suite with sauna, steam shower with light therapy, and whirlpool tub for couples.
- **Engadine outdoor activities** — Hiking, climbing, riding, fishing, and golf — including the Zuoz golf course with a 360-degree panorama.
- **Dining at La Stüvetta** — À la carte Engadine specialties in a cozy traditional room.
- **Fondue in the former Cowshed** — Homemade fondue variations plus local meat and fish dishes; occasionally used as a demonstration cheesery.

## Good to know
The hotel opened in early 2011 and shortly after joined Relais & Châteaux. Chef-owner Dario Cadonau is a Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef and member of Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe. The name 'IN LAIN' means 'wooden' in Romansch.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Eingang-Laternen-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau1.jpg"
    caption: "Main entrance: here begins the In Lain experience"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Grand-Chef-Dario-Cadonau-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Dario Cadonau is a Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef."
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Herz-Deko-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Hospitality and warmth in one"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Reception-Theke-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau1.jpg"
    caption: "Reception desk with artful carvings"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Lounge-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Lounge with bar"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sauna-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Bio-sauna and pine tub in the garden"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Bio-Teich-Garten-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Bio-sauna und pine tub in the garden of the In Lain Hotel Cadonau"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tamara-und-Dario-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Dario und Tamara CadonauFoto © IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Eingang-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "I mean, how could you not feel welcome here…?"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Terrassen-Suite-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "The spacious and light-filled Deck Suite"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Badzimmer-Terrassen-Suite-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Bathroom with a view"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Restaurant-VIvanda-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Harmonious ambiance of the Restaurant Vivanda"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Restaurant-Stuevetta-In-Lain-Hotel-Cadonau.jpg"
    caption: "Cozy room in La Stüvetta"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Alpenlachs-Eismeersaibling-Absintheis-Gourmet-Festival.jpg"
    caption: "Alpine salmon: Warm Arctic char with absinthe ice cream"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Zuoz-Golfplatz-Green-Fahne-5.jpg"
    caption: "5th hole, Zuoz Golf Course"
```