C’est Chic: The Most Stylish Ski Hotels For The New Winter Season
From a new chalet hotel in the French Alps to iconic grand hotels in the Swiss Alps, we round up the best places to hit the powder as soon as the slopes open.
As we power through Fall, many of us are likely dreaming about those glorious days on the slopes: schussing down pistes on fresh powder; afternoons on sun-dazzled mountain terraces; cozying up by the fire in your chalet or spa time in a boutique hotel. We have handpicked the chicest spots across the Alps, including new mountain lodges and grand dame hotels, to bookmark for the winter season ahead.
Comodo, Bad Gastein, Austrian Alps
The Cōmodo has brought a dynamic new energy to the hotel scene in Bad Gastein, which had its heyday in the 19th century as a spa town. You can jump on a train at Salzburg and, within an hour and a half, you will be pulling into the oldest train station in the Alps, opened by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1905. Cut into a steep mountainside with a dramatic waterfall, Bad Gastein is known for its Kaiser Wilhelm Promenade, grande dame hotels, and mineral-rich thermal waters. Brutalism meets Belle Epoque in this new design hotel, which brings together 70 Mid-century-modern-inspired rooms (ask for one with views into the Gastein Valley), a buzzing lobby space, a farm-totable restaurant, and a slick spa inspired by Bad Gastein’s wellness tradition and natural healing powers. When you are not toasting your holiday on the sun terrace or doing lengths of the outdoor pool, admire the hotel’s art collection or get to work in its co-working space or library. Open all year-round, it is set to become a hub for creatives. Outside, there are 219 kilometers of ski slopes to explore across four different areas, our favorite of which is Sportgastein, which locals refer to as Tiny Tibet and where you will find Kreuzkogel, its highest peak, standing at 2,686 meters. There are restorative hikes to be had, as well as some serious spa time back at The Cōmodo, where you can luxuriate in tailored treatments and Saint Charles lotions and potions. At dinnertime, stunning vistas are paired with organic wines, classic cocktails, and modern Austrian cuisine.
Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel, Zug, Lech, Austrian Alps
The Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel started life as a simple farmhouse in Zug in the mid-seventeenth century. In more recent years, it has been turned by the Walch family into a cafe and guesthouse, and now, a luxury hotel with a beautiful spa. With epicurean pleasures and warm-hearted service still at its core, the Rote Wand is a culinary hotspot in the Alps, with its Chef’s Table — where ex-Geranium chef Julian Stieger is in charge—a truly exceptional experience. In winter, you can ski (right from the front door), cross-country ski, or just enjoy the peace and quiet. Just make sure to partake in one of its fondue evenings in the Stuben — after all, Josef Walch introduced the art of fondue to the Arlberg more than 60 years ago.
Book Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel here
Read also An Insider's Guide to Lech
Experimental Chalet Val d'Isère, Val d'Isère, French Alps
Val d'Isère tops many ski fans' lists of must-visit resorts in the Alps and now there is another reason to visit. L’Aigle des Neiges became part of the Experimental Group family and is now Experimental Chalet Val d'Isère. Over the year, the hotel will be reimagined into a winter’s haven of epic proportions, an escape in the heart of the French Alps. The new hotel will include 113 rooms, two restaurants (a wood-fired oven at the heart and a menu filled with traditional dishes, like delicate mountain cheeses, tartiflette and raclette), a cocktail bar, a spa and meeting spaces.
Le Val Thorens, Val Thorens, Les Trois Vallees, French Alps
Opened in 1971, Le Val Thorens was one of the eponymous ski resort’s first hotels, and it has been redesigned as an homage to that seventies’ spirit. Part of the growing Beaumier empire, it is a retro temple to both relaxation and good times, and long-term fans will love that its outdoor terrace is still the place to see and be seen in Val Thorens. With 360-degree views over Les Trois Vallées from its bedrooms and balconies, plus ski-in, and ski-out perks, this is quite the stay. Food, drink, and fun are also on the menu, with après vibes at La Brasserie du Val Thorens, Seventies disco and Savoyard hot dogs on the terrace, and fondue parties in La Fondue. Don’t miss Le 1971, its buzzing old-school bar with a roaring fireplace and classic cocktails.
Icaro, Alpe di Siusi, Italian Dolomites
Lovingly guarded by Alpi di Siusi, the newly renovated Icaro sits 1,900 meters up and is the first carbon-neutral hotel in the Dolomites. Run with love by the Sattler family since 1936, Icaro is a haven of peace with unique architecture that makes use of local craftsmen and the most sustainable materials. Bright, contemporary interiors have lashings of contemporary art, while the 29 bedrooms each have views of the ‘Pale Mountains’ that are simply spectacular. True eco pioneers, ICARO obtains green electricity from hydropower and offsets its co₂ emissions through climate-protection projects, among other things.
Saint Hubertus, Breuil-Cervinia, Aosta Valley, Italian Alps
Immersed in a lush pine forest, Saint Hubertus Resort offers a spectacular view of the Matterhorn from the lesser-known Italian side of Breuil-Cervinia. Sitting at an altitude of 2,050 meters near the Swiss border and in the heart of the Western Alps, it was elegantly designed by the architect Savin Couelle and combines exclusive apartments with top-notch hotel services. In winter, Saint Hubertus offers easy access to the 450 kilometers of slopes between Cervinia, Valtournenche, and Zermatt. After a day on the slopes, try the hotel spa swimming pool with thermal waters overlooking the majestic mountains of the Aosta Valley, a hammam, or even a mud bath.
LeCrans, Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps
Perched above the resort of Crans- Montana, LeCrans is notable for its swoon-worthy views of the Valais region’s extraordinary peaks. It is a grown-up place to switch off and enjoy one’s splendid isolation, cosseted by the tranquil alpine forest that borders the hotel. We love the junior suites, which are inspired by summits around the world, from Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro to Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Guests can dip in and out of the usual massages, swimming pools, and saunas, but LeCrans also specializes in holistic well-being programs that seek to detox, energize, or relax. Cherry-picking health principles and traditions from across the globe, these weeklong retreats are tailored to your personal needs.
Jungfrau Wengernalp, Wengen, Swiss Alps
Arriving at Wengernalp is an experience in itself, giving you time to relax and enjoy the majestic mountain scenery. The quaint Wengernalpbahn mountain cog train that departs from Lauterbrunnen climbs up through Wengen’s wooded slopes to the Kleine Scheidegg mountain pass at 2,061 meters, stopping en-route at the tiny station directly beneath the Hotel Jungfrau Wengernalp. This traditional family-run hotel, originating from the 19th century, has been lovingly restored and modernized in several stages and is one of the most charming hotels in the Alps.
Suvretta House, St Moritz, Swiss Alps
One of the grandest dames of the Swiss Alps, St Moritz is the last word in timeless elegance. The home of the world-feted Cresta Run, an enchanting lake that freezes over in winter for games of polo and a clutch of truly glamorous hotels. The fairytale Suvretta House is our port of call, overlooking the Engadin Mountain scenery. Suvretta’s guests can ski at Corviglia and Piz Nair, among other areas, as well as go sledding, snowshoeing, curling, and tobogganing. Wellbeing and fitness lovers will also be kept happy inside the hotel: The Sports & Pleasure Club features everything from a 25-meter swimming pool to thermal and cold baths. Foodies are spoiled for choice too, with four-course French dinners in the Grand Restaurant and Swiss specialties in the Suvretta Stube.
84 Rooms recommends: The Best Mountain Restaurants To Visit In The Alps This Season, and The Best Ski Chalets To Rent This Season.