10 Of The Best Spa Hotels In The Alps
Nothing soothes the soul quite like fresh mountain air and immersion in nature — so it’s no surprise that the Alps abound with wellbeing-boosting hotels which have spectacular spas. From Italy’s Dolomites to the Bregenzerwald in Austria, here are 10 of our favorite spa hotels.
Rosapetra Spa Resort Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
The spa resort of Rosapetra is located a few minutes from Cortina, the storied town known as the Queen of the Dolomites. Meaning ‘pink stone’, the hotel takes its name from the nearby Tofane Massif, whose magnificent rocks burn pink at sunrise and sunset. Its superb spa has a heated indoor pool, myriad saunas, a Turkish bath, and treatments including thalassotherapy — all the ideal tonic for days exploring the surrounding mountains. We also love Terraza26, Rosapetra’s terrace, which has its own bar where you can order Alpine toasties and pizzas to soak up the view. If you visit in winter, make sure to ski the renowned Armentarola run nearby.
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Forestis Dolomites South Tyrol, Italy
Set in an impeccable location, Forestis stands at 1,800m and seems to float among the clouds, overlooking the snaggle-tooth peaks of the Dolomites, including the Geisler Gruppe Massif. Embraced by dense woodland and special energy, the original building was built by the Austrian monarchy as a sanatorium in 1912 and continues today to boost its guests’ well-being as a spa hotel. Run by a young South Tyrolean couple, its glass and stone spa features treatment rooms, silence rooms, and endless saunas, as well as an indoor-outdoor pool. There are also guided Wyda walks, which involve practicing Celtic yoga poses and meditation techniques. The zero waste kitchen — where foraged produce is king — and epic views are on hand to further nourish body and soul.
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Saltus Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy
Saltus is located on the edge of a forest, high up in the secluded mountain village of San Genesio, and yet not far from Bolzano in South Tyrol. The Dolomites’ first eco-hotel, its superpower is the Forest Spa, nestled deep in the spruce forest, which is almost entirely chemical-free and an oasis of purity and tranquility. Two Sky Pools, one indoor and one outdoor, are heated all year round and have spectacular 180-degree views of the Dolomites. There are daily yoga, meditation, and forest bathing sessions to relax the body and mind, as well as progressive muscle relaxation techniques and qigong, a traditional Chinese medicine. We love the cozy Tschögglbergerhof restaurant, where you can feast on mountain-to-plate South Tyrolean specialties such as asparagus cream soup, and dandelion with wild garlic cheese dumplings. Fair weather hikers will love the trails of the Monzoccolo area which extend over 800km and are peppered with chestnut, spruce, and larch trees as well as chance encounters with Haflinger horses.
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Naturhotel Leitlhof San Candido, Dolomites, Italy
Naturhotel Leitlhof is nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, and is one of Europe’s only carbon-neutral hotels, generating all of its own power and heat, as well as having its own farm at Mühlhof with a herd of Angus cattle. Its 2000 m2 spa and wellness area has wonderful mountain views, sauna and steam rooms, and treatments powered by Alpine ingredients. There is a Water World with an indoor and outdoor pool, experience showers, and a waterfall. For those that like a workout, Technogym equipment allows for cycling and running training, followed by hot tub time in the sauna area. San Candido itself is only 20km from The Three Peaks, unique rocks that are so special they have become the symbol of the Dolomites.
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My Arbor Brixen/Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy
A luxurious treehouse hotel, My Arbor is a stylish refuge on the Plose mountainside, seemingly secluded in the wilderness of the Dolomites, while being a short drive from the ancient bishop's town of Brixen (Bressanone). Here, time slows down to suit the rhythms of each guest, whether that means breakfast at midday or a swim after sunset. The in-house Spa Arboris is an expansive 2500 m2 Eden of indoor and outdoor infinity pools, sauna infusions, and outdoor relaxation rooms. Treatments are inspired by the local trees and plants, such as the signature Arboris Tree Ritual (featuring larch, Swiss pine, mountain pine, and spruce), while traditional Ayurvedic rituals are offered for more focused healing. When you want to get fresh air, spend days hiking, visiting local wineries, or get your culture fix in Brixen.
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Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt Kitzbühel, Austria
Part luxury spa hotel, part organic farm, the Stanglwirt is a legendary Tyrolean address that has been welcoming guests for more than 400 years. Set at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range in Going, it is a quick ten-minute drive from ritzy ‘Kitz’ and its brilliant ski scene. Its newly designed spa runs the gamut from natural whey baths and healing massages to reflexology and body wraps. There is a vast saltwater pool with views of the Kaiser, a saltwater steam grotto, and a Swiss stone pine sauna, as well as family-friendly areas. Sporty types are kept busy too, with an on-site driving range, tennis courts, and a riding school complete with noble Lipizanner horses.
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Biohotel Rupertus Salzburg Alps, Austria
Set in the Salzburg Alps, the family-run Rupertus is guided by a climate-neutral philosophy and places its soul-soothing wellness offerings at its heart. Its spa boasts an herbal steam bath, an Alpine hay bed, infrared cabins, and an adults-only sauna with views over the mountains. You can swim in any season, too, either in the swimming pond or heated infinity pool; as well as lounge in style in the garden or on the sundeck. The organic restaurant is a highlight, with five-course dinners that cater to vegans as well as carnivores, with the latter able to sample wild game from the nearby Hohe Tauern National Park — all enjoyed with natural wines sourced mainly from Austria. We also love the Green Bar, which serves up clean drinks such as homemade apple punch.
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Hotel Post Bezau Bregenzerwald, Austria
The iconic Post Bezau, run by the beauty mogul Susanne Kaufmann (the founder’s great-great-granddaughter) is known for its holistic approach to hospitality. Powered by the surrounding nature of the Bregenzerwald Valley, the 19th-century hotel offers numerous detoxes and retreats throughout the year, from yoga to traditional Chinese medicine. The Susanne Kaufmann Spa combines cosmetics expertise, therapists, a medical team, and 25 years of know-how to create treatments that push for positive change in life and body. There are also saunas, swimming pools, and nourishing dishes inspired by the region. We also love the hotel’s tranquil Scandi-style rooms, especially the west-facing ones.
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Villa Honegg Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Perched over Lake Lucerne, Villa Honegg has sat prettily on Mount Bürgenstock since 1905. A haven of peace and privacy, its lakeside setting and fairytale proportions are quite incomparable. Built in the Art Nouveau style, with its recognizable cream facade and pale blue shutters, Villa Honegg re-opened in 2011 with breathtaking spa facilities that include a beautiful outdoor infinity pool with panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, Finnish saunas and steam baths and a further indoor pool, serenaded by underwater music. We love to visit in the warmer months, when the hotel is enveloped by flowering meadows and dense forests, with endless footpaths to explore. All your exertions are fuelled by the farm-to-fork restaurant, which is powered by the hotel’s own herb garden. Breakfast — served until 2 p.m. — is a particular delight.
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Parkhotel Egerner Höfe Bavaria, Germany
Set at the foot of the Wallberg mountain in the Bavarian Alps, right by the shore of Lake Tegernsee, Egerner Höfe has an air of quiet, discreet luxury. A five-star superior hotel, it combines an impressive spa with hygge levels of comfort and a gastronomic experience fit for gourmets. The Mangfall Spa includes a 20m lap pool with views of the almighty Walberg, four saunas including Alpine salt and bio, and a relaxation room with comfy lounge beds and herbal tea on tap. After days of hiking or biking around Lake Tegernsee, book in for an aromatic oil or detoxifying massage, or even an aerial yoga class. Don’t miss the hotel’s own rustic mountain hut, the Egerner Alm, where guests and locals mingle.
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84 Rooms recommends: The Best Alpine Hotels For Fall, and 5 Of The Most Charming Hotels In Austria’s Bregenzerwald.