HOTEL CHESA ROSATSCH, CELERINA
Nestled in the popular Upper Engadine valley, on the banks of the Inn River, this charming property, with rosy red walls and wooden beams, is almost 400 years old. Rooms, though, are modern and boutique, while its restaurant serves tasty stone-grilled locals meat and crispy Flammechueche. The village of Celerina is quiet but perfectly placed for exploring the surrounding area, where it’s possible to view Engadine’s glaciers. Visit hotelrosatsch.ch/en/
HOTEL RIFFELALP RESORT, ZERMATT
At 2,222m above sea level, getting to the Riffelalp Resort on Europe’s highest tram can be an adventure in itself, but the mountainous Alpine scenery makes it more than worth the effort. Riffelalp has long been a haven for winter sports enthusiasts and hikers – and it’s still possible to ski and snowboard in Zermatt during the summer. The hotel has a traditional Swiss chalet design, with wood-panelled, cosy room. It’s easy to spend more time in the spa, where there’s a waterfall grotto and relaxing steam bath cave. Relax in the heated outdoor pool, and gaze at the Matterhorn, Switzerland’s jagged ‘king of the mountains’, twisting into the sky. Visit riffelalp.com
GRAND HOTEL BELLA TOLA, ST.LUC
Pale yellow and fringed by metal balconies, the stone front of this 157 year old hotel is certainly worth a photo. Inside, glided and extravagant rooms feel like sumptuous remnants from the Belle Époque. Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities; one trail, festooned by orchids, leads to an impressive 80-year-old larch tree. But it’s also worth spending time in the hotel’s library, taking a dip in the indoor pool, or lounging on the roof terrace which boasts panoramic views. Visit bellatola.ch/en/
BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL, ST MORITZ
Big, bold and thoroughly decadent, this grand dame hotel has welcomed countless famous guests, including Marlene Dietrich and Alfred Hitchcock. Designed in 1896 and topped by an iconic tower, the hotel sits alongside St Moritz Lake, where, in summer, international windsurfers and sailing aces compete in regattas. Back inside, the decor is dramatic with ornately-carved chairs, marble bathrooms and the dark and moody King’s Club, which has a ‘dress to impress’ code. Jacuzzis, grand pianos and a butler service are available to those who book suites. Visit badruttspalace.com/en/
ART DECO HOTEL MONTANA, LUCERNE
Perched on a hillside above Lake Lucerne, this grand hotel opened in 1910 and was one of the last of its kind to be built in the area before tastes changed. It’s lost none of its palatial charm, but following renovations, the bedrooms now favour clean lines and bold prints, rather than Old World opulence and chandeliers – those you can find in the decadent rum lounge, named after Hemingway. The breathtaking view of the mountains and lakes is best enjoyed from the Scala Terrace restaurant, or the Jacuzzi on the rooftop terraces of the suites. Visit hotel-montana.ch/en
HOTEL KRONE, THUN
Rustic shutters open out on to the busy square of Thun’s medieval Old Town, its spire battling the town’s nearby 12th-century castle for the most attention. Formerly the baker’s guild house, Krone’s garden terrace looks out over the turquoise river Aare that joins Lake Thun, where in summer lakeside lidos spring up and a restored paddle steamer glides up and down. The hotel decor is simple, although an unusual addition is the Chinese restaurant, where hungry guests can tuck into noodles beneath a ceiling crowded with Chinese lanterns. Visit Krone-thun.ch/en/