The Ultimate Luxury on the Snow: Mountain Chalets
Chill & Stay
A new year has come, and it is natural to think about mountain destinations as places to unwind and relax after a period of intense work. Skiing early in the morning, enjoying the quietness of a mountain hut and a sky full of stars, observing the majesty of the surrounding environment, breathing fresh air, enjoying a gourmet dinner or a hot sauna, meditating surrounded by a silent dawn: these are only some of the amazing activities that it is possible to experience in an exclusive mountain lodge. Some chalets allow their guests to live in a natural environment with all of the excellent services and comfort offered by metropolitan hotels. In addition to a beautiful view, a week in the mountains always requires an exceptional location. Originally built as a shelter for shepards and their livestock, mountain chalets are now the ultimate winter luxury. Five-star lodges and high-quality modern chalets are both options that offer an exclusive mountain holiday experience where one can relax and ski on the most exciting slopes of Europe. All of these environmentally friendly accommodations provide luxury services and total privacy.
GRADONNA MOUNTAIN RESORT & HOTEL - TIROLO
It is an eco-resort isolated from the traffic of the city. The Gradonna Mountain Resort & Hotel in Tyrol, awarded by The Wall Street Journal as Europe’s Leading Green Resort in 2015, is built with hardwood according to the latest environmental standards. It represents the ideal destination to immerse yourself in the Alti Tauri National Park with its 250 km of trails where you will learn how to live plastic-free. Food is not packaged because everything is freshly made. Straws are not allowed and bedrooms offer vegan, organic and cruelty free products of Magdalena cosmetics. In addition, you can rediscover the pleasure of direct contact with nature during a barefoot excursion in the woods with a local guide, strengthening your connection with the Earth. It’s a must see!
The Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti is a historical hotel built in 1810 that mixes elements typical of Val Gardena, like ancient furniture and wooden capitals, with modern design. It is directly connected to ski slopes thanks to the escalator that will take you to the Seceda ski lifts. The Adler Lounge Hotel represents one of the excellences of our territory. Design meets contemporary art in a perfect place to enjoy private Turkish bath and infrared sauna. The Adler is also famous for its delicate cuisine: spätzle with mountain grey cheese are recommended. Skiing, it is possible to reach Gradonna, the eco-hotel of the same property, with a 3 thousand square-meters where it is possible to enjoy relaxing massages with fresh water and alpine herbs based cosmetics.
The story of Forestis, the new 5-star resort that opened last July in Val d’Isarco, begins a long time ago with Otto Wagner, one of the masters of modern architecture. The Austrian architect identified the Plose woods as a place emanating a perfect energy to build a sanatorium for lung diseases thanks to its fresh spring water, mountain air, mild climate, salty atmosphere and many sunny days. Used until 1922 for soldiers, the building was later abandoned before being completely renovated in 2007 by a South Tirolean who decided to turn it into a hotel. Today, the Forestis Dolomites, surrounded by woods high in the mountains, is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and it is a peaceful and harmonious place immersed in the scent of the forest. With a spectacular view of the Dolomites, it has been conceived with natural and luxurious materials like stone, glass, soft fabrics, and wood. It is equipped with a 2,000-square-meter spa, and it offers treatments based on the circle of trees, associating the four elements with four different trees: mountain pine, spruce, larch, and stone pine. Some of the 62 suites are located inside its three wooden towers, and it is possible to sleep in one of these suites under the stars in absolute harmony with nature. The Forestis Dolomites is an exclusive and private hideaway chalet where one can enjoy the luxury of a quiet contact with nature.
Certified with the EU Ecolabel, the Vitalpina Hotel Icaro was the first zero-impact hotel on the Siusi Alp. At 1,900 meters above sea level, it offers a spa with a pool where the water reaches 30 degrees as well as a second outdoor reheated pool where it is possible to relax enjoying the view of the Sassolungo, Sciliar and Sella peaks. It offers 22 colourful rooms with many works of art. The added value of this beautiful hotel is represented by the spa’s calibrated treatments for athletes: from the back and leg slow massage with juniper extracts to the one for muscle stretching with mountain hay.
The Lamm Hotel, opened in Castelrotto and restyled with a modern flair but respecting the traditional charm of the mountain style, is all about elegance. The hotel offers very large, bright rooms where attention to detail and top-class service are guaranteed. The materials reflect the mountain landscape: The rooms, the common spaces, and the oasis spa, which is located on the top floor with a view of the Sciliar, are all built of stone, wood and glass. The best part of this hotel is the rooftop sky pool over the spa with a glass roof that offers an amazing view.
Like the Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, the Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti in Pinzolo is a place where luxury, nature, and beauty live together in perfect harmony. The spa suites, built with wood and local stone and decorated with natural fabrics, offer total privacy thanks to their private hot tubs, showers and saunas. With a Spa on 4 floors that will regenerate your senses and your soul, this hotel offers special spa treatments like face and body massages with the perfumes of the woods: a sensorial trip that reveals forest perfumes, evergreen oils and alpine flowers.
At 2225 meters of elevation, on ski slopes of the Sellaronda, the Salei chalet offers real charme. It has always been a favourite destination of super athletes, even after the conversion of the design of the bedrooms and common spaces, that have a stunning view, looking over Sella’s and Marmolada’s snowy peaks. It’s equipped of a Spa, restaurants, eleven bedrooms and suites. Salei is also a wellness hotel, that welcomes ski mountaineering passionates, with the heat of the Turkish bath and of the indoor swimming pool, and then move on to the aperitif at the Après-ski lounge, before ordering the restaurant’s speciality: “gnocchetti” made of walnut flour and dear ragù.
The Chalet Nel Doch Villa Cheia, is at 1.450 metres in the Valle del Lozen, close to Paneveggio-Pale of San Martino Natural Park. It is worth the visit at least once in the life, not only for the lovely position, but also for its rare beauty: Antico maso, has been recently renewed with grate taste, and attention to details, and still today, around a large hall with an ancient stube, 4 stone and wood suites are furnished with design pieces.
In the most typical mountain tradition the Relais & Châteaux, the only 5 star in Cervina, is a big stone chalet. The suites on the attic floor have been recently renovated, and the indoor heated swimming pool gains the pure water directly from the mountain. The Spa, signed La Prairie, must absolutely be tried out.
To find snow and Vin brulè, in the north, in-between the Alps, you can choose this destination, enjoying the icy and sharp atmosphere of the most authentic mountain. For its new hotel in the heart of the French Alps, Maison Pariente turned to Pierre Yovanovitch. Beyond 39 suites and 16 bedrooms, it is possible to rent 2 independent chalets with 4 bedrooms. In this magical place shines a refined and modern aesthetics that have made famous Yovanovitch, starting from the neoclassical swimming-pool, from which is possible to admire Belvedere’s peak. The furniture stands out thanks to the researched colour combinations and to the ‘70s geometries, in which everything is perfectly integrated. Arches, pentagon tables, carpets with decisive textures harmonize and enhance each other. There are moreover 160 artworks, among which the fresco by Matthieu Cossé stands out. Characteristics are moreover the in and out ski rooms, two restaurants and the Spa.
Real mountain refuge, but luxurious, has been realised thanks to Oscar Lucien inspiration, which specifically wanted to play with the contrast between a sophisticated allure and a traditional shelters, or rather the welcome of its guests after long walk. Thought for the youngsters, the refuge has imported from the city the passion for the modern design and the vanguard, in a sharing spirit in step with the times and with the territory preservation. The furnishings are a real beauty, with William Morris paper walls, alternation of vintage and industrial furniture, and even a gigantic polar bear and fake taxidermy. A style which is whimsical but chic, according to the best tradition of French viveurs.
If you are looking for a luxurious place in Austria the perfect spot is Lech, small city, symbol of ski in the town beyond the alps. Although Lech is the favourite Austrian location between the VIP, the ski stations are the least appreciated in Europe. The traditions of an old farmers village, such as it was Lech in the past, are still very present in the population’s culture: barbers, milkmen and bakers carry out their daily activities, satisfying the requests of the most affluent visitors from Europe. It is precisely this normality that is very much appreciated, and it seems to exude a certain charm in the eyes of famous people, that decide to spend anonymously, in this secret village, their vacations or skiing adventures: Beckham and his family, Lady Diana, and many other celebrities have at least been once in the small town of Lech, enjoying the simple life, away from the reflectors. Since 150 years Severin offered, and still does, the highest standards hôtellerie to its clients. An environment that knows how to conjugate the typical local buildings, made out of stone and Tyrolean wood, coming from the surrounding forests, to the bespoke furniture made by Minotti. Situated in a secluded position, minutes away the centre of Lech, the hotel boasts 9 suites, a restaurant, wellness rooms and two saunas. A remarkable art collection is curated by the Contemporary Art Advisors of Vienna. The residence, disposes of a terrace, a panoramic bathroom, a cinema and a lounge room completed with a Grand piano.
Very intimate and refined, the city of Zurs, near Lech, shows its visitors the typical Austrian discretion. The ski soaps are never packed, because the wealthy five star hotel clients prefer to trow them selves at the après-ski and enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee in one of the historic bars in the town centre.
The Adler Lounge Hotel represents one of the excellences of our territory. A combination of design and contemporary art, this glass nest is the perfect place to isolate yourself thanks to the Turkish bath or infrared sauna. Certainly to be chosen as a destination to unplug from the hectic everyday life and for its good cuisine: excellent spätzle with gray mountain cheese. On skis you can descend to Gradonna, an eco-hotel owned by the Adler Lounge, with a three thousand square meter spa, where you can try massages with cosmetics, based on spring water and alpine herbs. Its wellness center is the largest in the Hohe Tauern National Park, with outdoor and indoor pools, salt caves and a Spa where you can try cutting-edge treatments. The Adler Lounge welcomes its guests in three suites at an altitude of 2,500 meters, overlooking 60 peaks of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Just a few steps from Kitzbüel, the Stanglwirt is extraordinary for its uniqueness, enough to have been inserted, first and only hotel in Austria, in the Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold list, in the top 140 best hotels in the world. In the over 12,000 square meters dedicated to wellness, which include the biggest private salted swimming pool in Europe, an olympic swimming pool, and an exclusive detox lounge, where the natural stabilised lichen walls, give a psychophysical welfare, the Green Herbal SPA is a real treasure chest of pleasure. It’s difficult to choose from the many treatments offered: from the ones based of local plants, in grown in part in the resort, and the medical wellness treatments, so loved by the Hollywood’s stars, designed by beauty guru Barbara Sturm. Among the celebrity guests, the Kardashian sisters are admirers of the Hollywood Secrets, treatments based on the molecular cosmetics, able to activate the immortality enzyme and make the skin young, compact and healthy. 90 minutes of pure pleasure and with long lasting results!
Despite not being the prettiest town in Switzerland, calls back every year world level athletes thanks to the fame and beauty it’s ski slopes: this is Verbier! Here on the Swiss side, Fabrizio Casiraghi initiated the opening of a 1950s building that in the past was the focus of gossip. Faithful at its sumptuous style, the Italian designer, wanted to give a French touch to the interiors, an experimental group distinctive element. The boiserie are lacquered in a deep blue colour, alternate with the typical Swiss herbal paintings, but also to less usual and more international elements, such as Portuguese tiles or equally impressive colours, such as red and dark greens bricks. More traditional is the the cocktail bar, with white putty, velvet seats and a majestic fireplace for livening up the evenings, where it is possible to enjoy the traditional plates, such as rösti and spätzle, or even get an aperitif before relaxing in the Spa. In this magical atmosphere resort, for the thrill lovers, it is possible to try snowboarding, paragliding, hang-gliding
Once it was a tavern, but since 1939, this chalet has lived a constant progressive evolution, finally becoming a high lux hotel. After three generations, the Pizzinini family is still managing the property, situated in the heart of the Dolomites, equipped of everything you might desire, and much more. Covering a 310 sqm area, with three bedrooms and private hammam, living room with exposed beams, and a stunning view, overlooking a garden with an outdoor jacuzzi. The structure offers 18 bedrooms, 30 suits, a penthouse, a family and an only adults wellness, library, cinema, billiard room, and not last two private cabins, 2000 meters of altitude. Impossible not even to mention Chalet Zeno, that to the wooden coatings, matches a modern design, with Baxter, Gervasoni and Casa Milano armchairs, jacuzzi, hammer showers and Finnish saunas. Rubelli and Loro Piana Fabrics embellish the rooms, as well as the Heracleum chandelier by Moooi. Unmissable, finally, is St. Hubertus - patron of hunting - restaurant, prized with three Michelin stars.
Composed by 9 communicating chalets, immersed in a 4 hectare park, Les Fermes De Marie, is certainly the welcoming place for who want’s to get some time off, to relax. The original mountain pastures have been demolished and rebuilt once the modification had been finished, to maintain the authenticity. The complex is composed of 70 bedrooms, plus some private chalets. The facilities include, besides two restaurants, which have been suggested by the Michelin guide, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, swimming pool, a Spa, a library and a canteen. The Interior are distinguished for its warm colours, with tobacco tonality, exposed oak beams, and leather seats. It must be tried at least once in a lifetime.
Courchevel, in the heart of the French Alps, is one of the pearls of the Alps mountain range, and is composed of 4 villages, located at the end of one of the biggest ski districts in the world, Les 3 Vallées. Ideal destination of the most expert and wealthy skiers, it is said to have one of the nicest snow mantles in Europe. Besides the presence of the most luxurious hotels in France, after Paris naturally. Courchevel hostesses 11 five star hotels, and 3 six star hotels, with the most prestigious award, such as “Palace”. In this surrealistic atmosphere resort, it is possible to taste unique and elaborated dishes, typical of the gourmet kitchen, indulging in the numerous choices of starred restaurants, than any other ski resort in the world. Five of these have reached the prestigious goal of the two Michelin stars. In addition, shoppers can take advantage of the designer boutiques, including Prada, Louis Vuitton e Dior, all located close to the main tiny road. In this resort, wrapped with the snow from Mont Blanc, and of the Gran Casse, stands Les Airelles De Courchevel, luxury Chalet whose interior design, with an Austro-Hungarian flair is the warmest you can imagine. Frescoes, coffered ceilings, elegant chimneys with even more elegant armchairs, welcome their clients in one of the most exclusive hotels in France. It’s equipped with 32 rooms and 15 suites, to which it is added a private apartment, with windows facing a breathtaking view. Besides an infinite number of outdoor activities, like sleigh rides at night and a small amusement park for the little ones, the hotel offers a La Mer branded Spa, three restaurants and a bar.
Also in Courchevel there is another completely exclusive hotel. The K2 Palace chalet suites are the most prestigious refuge of this hotel, that is part of the leading hotels of the world collection, and is one of the nicest on the Courchevel ski slopes. The chalet suites in total are five, from 500 to 640 square meters, and contain all types of luxury inside, for a perfect weekend in two. Like for example the swimming pool with maxi-screen, sauna, steam room and living room with fireplace. Not to mention that available to the customers, that want to go out from these golden shelters, there is also the starred restaurant and the La Prairie Spa of the hotel.
In the heart of the High Savoy woods, two kilometers from La Clusaz ski slopes, built in wood and Aravis stone, this chalet amazes for its colorful and of contemporary design interiors. For the couples who love to seek hidden corners for romantic escapes, this chalet really is a dream. It holds several surprises, first of all the Jacuzzi on the panoramic terrace.
At 1.360 meters high, with a unique view in the world on the surrounding peaks, these chalets are located in the heart of the Stubai Alps. They are easily reachable for who wants to devote themselves to the skiing thanks to a shuttle available to guests. Furnished in the most romantic Tyrolean style, with furniture and accessories in inlaid wood, offer rooms, equipped kitchen and sauna.
Ex stazione della funivia trasformata in uno dei Best Design Hotel della Svizzera, the Chetzeron is located at 2,112 meters of altitude. Particularly careful to the environment, equipped with pellet heating, solar and photovoltaic panels, it offers rooms and suites full of light, with large windows opening onto the crown of the legendary four-thousanders, from the Matterhorn to the Dent Blanche. In this magical place the atmosphere recalls the surrounding nature, the light is dazzling, also thanks to the paths that run from the hotel, blessed by the sun. The Chetzeron is equipped with 16 rooms between rooms and suites, and is easily accessible with the snowmobile or the tracked shuttle.
St. Moritz, originally born as a summer destination, is today the meeting point for personalities from the international scene who show off the latest clothing and accessories on the snow. Known as one of the most famous and luxurious ski resorts in the world, St. Moritz is an exclusive destination constantly frequented by royal families from all over Europe and by celebrities from the Hollywood star system.
Hotel Kulm is the great lady of St. Moritz. Its magnificent interior is still in step with modern luxury. In the lobby, gilded and decorated with an elegance typical of the early 1900s, guests gather, sipping wine by the fire. Its spa still resplendent thanks to a recent $ 10 million renovation, features a Finnish sauna, steam room, full gym, saltwater grotto, multi-lane heated pool, heated outdoor pool overlooking the frozen lake of St Moritz. In addition, the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz hosts seven restaurants led by celebrity chefs such as the Peruvian Claudia Canessa. In this historic resort there is only one watchword: elegance.
Built without concrete, in the center of the Stelvio Park, stands the luxurious Sunny Valley Kelo Mountain Lodge. The materials chosen for this structure are peculiar: only glass, stone and Kelo wood, obtained from the polar pines which in Finland are cut at the end of the life cycle of two hundred years. Made thanks to the effort of a team of Lapp Sami, today this mirage is located at 2,700 meters, ten kilometers from Santa Caterina Valfurva. Also the Sauna has references to Nordic rites: a small house surrounded by white, from which, after having warmed up, you can dive directly into the surrounding snow. So in the Spa: hammam and Finnish sauna before choosing between the Purify path, to eliminate toxins, or Excite, to recover energy. Featuring eleven suites, this extraordinary venue also offers a sauna in the woods and a bar in an igloo.
At 3,000 meters above sea level, the Chalet Levissima Bormio 3000, in Lombardy, stands out among the mountains of the Stelvio National Park, opposite Cima Piazzi. Designed for romantic escapes, this chalet was built with zero impact, with bio-architectural materials, and is part of a Levissima water project in defense of glaciers and local communities. With the highest suite in Europe, this chalet also has a terrace and windows so as not to lose the striking view of the snow-capped peaks and the starry sky.
Part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the first hotel in Europe classified as Covid Safe Hotel, it is also, and above all, a Spa Retreat and a longevity center among the best in Europe: Villa Eden Leading Park Retreat in Merano. A place of peace and well-being where you can regenerate and rediscover the pleasure of being in your own skin. Thanks to the team of specialists of the Medical Spa today it is possible to choose, among the many proposals, the Covid Immunoplus program which aims to strengthen the immune system with Oxygen Ozone therapies, vitamin C drips, as well as IV Energy therapies, i.e. a personalized multivitamin complex. But wellness, in this spectacular place, also passes through holistic paths of applied kinesiology with Touch for health, the spiritual realignment that intervenes on physical imbalances in order to balance the energy system. Because never as in this moment the holiday is synonymous with luxury, relaxation and deep internal regeneration.
Elected Italy's Best Ski Chalet from 2013 to today, the White Deer is the right place for those who want to experience the most exclusive, secluded and refined mountain. Hunting residence of the sixteenth century, it is located at 1,200 meters above sea level, not far from Brunico, on a peak with a view of Val Pusteria, Valle Aurina and Val Badia. The structure has 4 bedrooms, a stube, a living area, the cellar located in the former goat stable that contains 1,500 bottles of South Tyrolean wines. All furnished with extreme taste by two fashion professionals.
The San Luis has recently opened, and is at the top of the list of those romantic hermitages that everyone would like to be in sooner or later: in a larch forest 1,400 meters above Merano, there are 42 chalets suspended in the trees around a pond. Golden huts, with fireplaces, in-room whirlpools and sauna. These are those rooms where two people enter to dream and stay together to enjoy the surrounding natural spectacle. Were it not for the sublime cuisine and the spa outside, you would hardly get out of these exclusive chalets. A must try!