Peak Perfection: Six of the Best Rooms in the Mountains
- Words by: Sophia Baccanello
At this time of year, with darker evenings looming and the reality that the dreary downpours are only going to continue, one can’t help but turn their gaze towards the mountains. Where there is rain, there is snow somewhere, and when all hope is lost, you’ll find us heading for the peaks. To properly embrace this solace, the right room must become your snow-laden sanctuary. There are, of course, some honourable contenders vying for your attention, but six rise above the rest, offering the kind of luxury that makes an eight-a.m. ski start seem almost impossible. When the interiors tempt you into hibernation, yet the views outside are equally majestic, a compromise has to be made. From the snowy peaks of the Swiss and French Alps to the culinary-forward Dolomites, the mountains seem to offer the only antidote necessary to see us through the winter months.
Suvretta House, St Moritz - Tower Suite
St Moritz has always had a certain ring to it, and its reputation as one of the Alps’ most glamorous retreats is hardly undeserved. Among the rolling valleys sits Suvretta House, one of Switzerland’s great heritage hotels and a long-standing favourite among those drawn to the mountains. For more than a century, the hotel has looked as though it has wandered straight from the pages of a fairytale, its turrets rising above the trees and rows of shuttered windows inviting you inside. Its old-world charm is matched by an enviable position on the mountain, complete with its own private ski lift, making it ideal for those seeking traditional Swiss hospitality without sacrificing time on the slopes. For the ultimate stay, the Tower Suite is the one to book. South-facing and overlooking the lake and mountains, it comes with a lounge, bedroom and sun terrace, offering the feeling of a private Alpine residence. Days unfold between fresh powder, fondue in the sunshine at Trutz and candlelit dinners at The Grand Restaurant. At Suvretta House, the Alpine fantasy feels remarkably easy to live out.
L’Apogée Courchevel - Prestige Junior Suite
If you seek luxury within, choose Oetker. If you seek luxury in every detail, choose Courchevel. Fresh from a redesign and nestled in the Jardin Alpin, the ski-in, ski-out L’Apogée was already something of an overachiever when it came to Alpine luxury. Its latest facelift, however, has only sharpened its appeal. There are world-class slopes for those who consider a day on skis non-negotiable; a subterranean spa for those who would rather remain firmly horizontal; and L’Apogée Club, where the culinary offerings run from Petrossian caviar and foie gras to artisanal pizzas. In short, there is little left wanting. The Prestige Junior Suite feels like the most fitting way to experience it all. Soft, natural fabrics nod to the traditions of the chalet, while bathrooms clad in Italian Fior di Bosco marble add a distinctly polished edge. It strikes a pleasing balance between the cosiness of the Alps and the glamour of Courchevel. With a separate sitting area and private balcony, there is every excuse to linger a little longer. Look out across the Courchevel valley to the snow-capped peaks beyond and, for a moment at least, it is easy to wonder whether the dread of winter was perhaps a touch dramatic after all.
The Alpina Gstaad, Gstaad - Panorama Residence
Gstaad is often regarded as a jewel in the Alpine crown. With over 200 kilometres of pristine pistes, it is a playground for novices and professionals alike. Yet its offerings extend far beyond the ski slopes, with horse-drawn carriage rides, scenic hot-air ballooning and paragliding above snow-covered precipices. The Alpina Gstaad, awarded three MICHELIN Keys, recognises the area’s vast offering and ensures guests experience Gstaad at its finest. Set on the hillside of the Bernese Oberland, overlooking the ski village below, the hotel blends Swiss sophistication with regional heritage, renowned for its authentic architecture and enviable art collection. It is also home to Switzerland’s first Six Senses Spa, an oasis offering world-renowned treatments and a welcome respite after a day on the mountain. Yet there is one area of the hotel that rises above the rest: The Panorama Residence, a duplex featuring three en-suite bedrooms and an expansive living area with a wood-burning fireplace, offering chalet-style living without leaving the luxuries of a hotel behind. There is even a private wellness oasis for when the journey to the spa proves far too taxing. Here, Alpine adventure and effortless indulgence exist in particularly harmonious surroundings.
Airelles, Val d'Isère - The Montmayeur Apartment
If being at the centre of the action is where you want to be, then there can be no better contender than Airelles at the foot of the Val d’Isère slopes. The family-run hotel is the epitome of ski-in, ski-out, with rows of perfectly lined skis and deckchairs for those in need of a pit stop on their way in; all the charm of an authentic mountain village, with the slopes quite literally on the doorstep. It is a place where refinement and impeccable service blend seamlessly, where period furniture and Alpine furnishings meet modern comfort, and luxury is counterbalanced by raucous après-ski. On the culinary front, the hotel blends Savoyard delicacies with the character of Alpine tradition, from the sun-trapped terrace overlooking the slopes to lively, cosy evenings by the crackling fire, operating at the highest level without ever losing its sense of conviviality. The Montmayeur Apartment is the obvious place to slumber, with four bedrooms and corresponding bathrooms; it almost screams of long evenings with loved ones around the double-sided fireplace or sipping chocolat chaud on the terrace. This penthouse, located on the fifth and top floor of the hotel, allows the whole family to be in tow while the Airelles Winter Camp still champions that feeling of respite. It is your own space and privacy, without relinquishing any of the atmosphere the hotel provides.
Ancora, Cortina d'Ampezzo - Ancora Suite
After the recent Winter Olympics, the Dolomites, and particularly Cortina d’Ampezzo, have firmly entered travellers’ radars. Those long aware of the beauty of the Swiss and French Alps are now looking further east, drawn by the combination of Italian hospitality and cuisine with the impressive runs of Dolomiti Superski. And then there is Hotel Ancora. With a sense of playful decadence in its interiors, it embodies the timeless elegance of Italian style. Dating back to 1826, the hotel, and The Ancora Suite in particular, is a tribute to its heritage, but it doesn’t play by the rules. Eclectic and contemporary, it nods to traditional mountain style while adding the indulgence of a terrace with a hot tub and fire pit. On the top floor, panoramic views stretch across Cortina, leaving you in no doubt as to why it has earned its crown as the Queen of the Dolomites. Take a dip in the indoor pool, or perch on a velvet-red stool at the mirrored bar before heading down to the subterranean, speakeasy-style Club Brave, where the evening continues far longer into the night than it should. Everything about Ancora is unapologetically chic, exactly as the Italians like it.
Das Edelweiss, Salzburg - Top Suite ‘Edelweiss’
There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about the idea of a family-run Alpine hotel, passed down through generations and still deeply rooted in its surroundings. At DAS EDELWEISS, that heritage has been given a distinctly modern interpretation. After a €80 million transformation, the Grossarl Valley retreat has emerged as a destination that feels both grand and deeply personal, with the Hettegger family’s influence evident throughout. The Top Suite ‘Edelweiss’ captures that balance particularly well: spacious, considered and designed for slow mornings looking out towards the mountains before heading down to the slopes. Back at the hotel, the 7,000m² spa is reason enough to linger, with warm pools, saunas and quiet spaces designed to make the transition from ski boots to slippers particularly easy. There is a playful side to the resort, too, with children given their own world of caves, climbing walls and cinema, while grown-ups can retreat to quieter corners when they need to. Come evening, the choice is between the warmth of Austrian cooking, the theatre of sushi at Sakura or something rather more indulgent from a wine list of more than 1,500 bottles. It is a different take on Alpine luxury: less about formality, more about bringing everyone together, with just enough extravagance to make leaving the mountains feel like the difficult part.
