Albana Hotel & Suites

The Albana Hotel & Suites is a four-star hotel in the centre of Silvaplana, in the Upper Engadine, at 1,815 m, run by the Bosshard-Jürisaar family (Albana Hotel & Suites Silvaplana SA). It has rooms and suites, a wellness area with Finnish sauna, steam bath and whirlpool, two restaurants – the Stüva Engiadina, serving Graubünden cuisine, and the Thailando, serving Thai food – and a bar; the Ches'Arsa annex hosts families and groups. Lake Silvaplana and its Kitebeach are about five minutes' walk away.

The kite service relies on a partnership with Swiss Kitesurf, the school based at the Mulets sports centre, which in turn presents the Albana as its partner hotel. The summer kitesurf package combines three nights with a three-day course, or five nights with a four-day course, taught by the school (described by the hotel as an "official VDWS school") with all equipment and an end-of-course certificate; it also includes half board, a welcome drink, Upper Engadine lifts and public transport, spa access and free pick-up from St. Moritz station. Kite lessons are open from age 12, as private lessons for 12 to 14-year-olds. A wingfoil package (two or three nights with as many days of lessons at Swiss Kitesurf) and, in winter, a three- or six-day snowkite package on the frozen lake (lessons and equipment rental with Swiss Kitesurf) work the same way.

The hotel advertises no gear service of its own: no storage room, no rinsing, no shuttle to the spot; teaching, equipment and Kitebeach access are handled by the school, and the underground car park is charged. Packages are booked directly with the hotel. The Albana also sells a windsurf package, and Windsurfing Silvaplana lists it among its partner accommodations.