Keep cool this European summer! This is Lux Nomade’s Guide to 6 luxurious Alpine hotels
Following a summer of stifling heat over the last couple of years, cooler vacation destinations have emerged as one of the hottest trends of 2024 with a 300% increase in searches for ‘cooler holidays.’
There’s a rising trend among travellers to swap the ‘typical’ European summer holiday destinations in favour of the temperature climes of the Dolomites, Scandinavia and further afield countries such as Canada and the Arctic, according to Nick Cunningham, Scott Dunn’s Destination Manager for Europe.
With the increasing popularity of cooler destinations, we’ve rounded up six luxurious alpine hotels (which aren’t just popular for the winter season) for cool holiday escapes this European summer…
Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa
Delve into the Dolomites and soothe the mind, body, and soul at Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa, where guests can witness sensational panoramic viewpoints hiking through fairy-tale-like scenery before immersing themselves in the tranquillity of the Gardena Spa.
Once guests have returned from their adventures, they can rejuvenate in a three-story spa home to an amazing array of modern vitality amenities, including a spacious indoor heated pool, a large outdoor whirlpool, a Finnish sauna, an aromatic steam bath, a bio sauna, a cold water pool, relaxation rooms, plus a ladies-only spa. New for this summer, Gardena now also offers the latest cold therapy technology, Zerobody Cryo, perfect for those seeking recovery after mountain workouts, as well as three new wellness programmes to suit different guests needs: energising, detoxification and relaxation, to provide a holistic calming spa experience in the heart of the mountains.
Complementing the outdoor experiences available, such as lake swimming, hiking and biking, the spa’s new cutting-edge treatments will include invigorating cold therapy and targeted physical and meditative activities. Italian family-owned and run for four generations, the hotel features 58 rooms and modern suites, three restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Anna Stuben, and is the perfect destination for an idyllic summer holiday in the mountains.
Rates at Gardena Grödnerhof start from €360 (currently approx. £310) per night on a B&B basis. www.gardena.it /@gardenagrodnerhof
Armancette Hôtel
Armancette Hôtel, part of the new Almae Collection which launched last year, is a family-owned hidden gem in the remote town of Saint-Nicolas Veroce in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps. Open year round, this 19-room hotel is located within the former bakery of the village offering unrivalled views and direct access to the majestic mountain range as well as an impressive array of hiking and mountaineering routes for all skill levels. The Haute-Savoie region is known as the walker’s playground for its breath-taking hikes and close proximity to the nearby national parks whilst the town of Saint-Nicolas holds close historical ties to the famous hiking past of Mont Blanc.
During the spring and summer months guests can explore the meandering paths and vast valleys unaccompanied or opt to use the services of a professional guide to lead the way and help walkers discover the rich history and explore the diverse flora and fauna of the region.
More experienced hikers can choose from hair-raising routes across the soaring mountain range of Mont Blanc National Park or alternatively take a short 1 -hour drive across the Italian border to the largest National Park in Europe, Hochspitze National park.
Wildlife enthusiasts can take a short hike to the nearby Les Contamines Nature Reserve, home to an area of extreme ecological variety with alpine species in the heart of Mont Blanc’s only protected forest, lake and wetlands area. Popular alternative activities include mountain biking, mountain and mini golf, the tree-top adventure course, yoga, rafting, canyoning, tennis and climbing adventures.
If adults want a little alone time to indulge and unwind their sore muscles at the spa, children will love the impressive on-site kids club.
When it comes to dining, the hotel can prepare a packed lunch using produce from the local bakery to be enjoyed whilst hiking. On return, guests will be spoilt for choice, enjoy an indulgent dinner at the destination French dining restaurant, La Table d’Armante or for a more relaxed evening and family style food, guests can enjoy a comforting dinner at Le Mont Joly Bistro. There are also a number of restaurants dotted throughout the mountains for well-deserved pitstops mid-hike.
Summer Rates at Armancette Hotel start from €443 (currently approx £380) based on two sharing a Mont Joly room.www.armancette.com
Cœur de Megève
Located in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Megève has been attracting the skiing elite for almost a century, however, it can also be enjoyed in the summer months. On the main pedestrian street, metres away from the church square and the ski lift, sits the chic Cœur de Megève which has been given a second lease of life by famed interior designer, Sybille de Margerie.
Reimagining the original ski chalet, Sybille de Margerie designed a contemporary mountain lodge made of brushed walnut panelling, soft furnishings, and vibrant colours. Its 39 rooms and suites come in different shapes and sizes; some include open-plan bathrooms and others have terraces overlooking the village. In the summer, Coeur de Megève transforms into a tranquil haven amidst the greenery of the French Alps. Surrounded by verdant slopes and alpine meadows, the hotel offers a serene escape from the bustling winter crowds.
Guests can embark on picturesque hikes through the Mont Blanc massif, exploring hidden trails and cascading waterfalls. Mountain biking enthusiasts will find numerous trails catering to all skill levels and terrain interests. Megève also holds the French national ‘Family Plus Mountain’ award for its high standards of service and facilities for families, which means the resort has thought long and hard about what it offers families and endeavours to make sure there are child-friendly activities and facilities. After an activity-fueled day in the mountains, guests can relax in Le Spa Tata Harper, a relaxing space consisting of two treatment cabins, which can be converted into a large duo cabin, along with a sauna, sensory shower and nail bar.
Rates at Cœur de Megève start from €350 (currently approx. £350) per night on a B&B basis. For further information, please visit www.coeurdemegeve.com
Six Senses Crans-Montana
With its sunny terraces emerging from the mountainside just above the Crans-Cry D’Er gondola, Six Senses Crans-Montana, part of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has officially reopened its doors for the summer season. The 78 rooms and suites, and signature Three-Bedroom Prestige Apartment, blend contemporary and traditional alpine finishes and feature large bay windows and generously sized balconies to maximise the connection with natural surroundings.
Guests can reconnect and restore in the 2,000-square-metre Six Senses Spa, featuring nine treatment rooms, an extensive wet area, and a vast indoor pool topped with suspended timber icicles and opening out onto a courtyard. Led by Executive Chef Lorenz Hoja, the two restaurants, bar, and lounge source ingredients from local farmers, producers, and artisans, with menus evolving with the seasons to unveil the rich diversity of the region’s produce and flavours.
With three hundred days of sunshine a year, Crans-Montana has a real sense of Carpe Diem. Nature lovers can rejoice in the landscape, whether walking with the yaks to the rhythm of alpine bells, to guided snowshoeing disconnecting from daily life. Perhaps the most notable, however, is the wide range of outdoor pursuits, delivering adrenaline and adventure to sports enthusiasts in all seasons. In the summer months, there are hiking and mountain biking trails right from the door, with paragliding offering the best views of the valley.
Rates at Six Senses Crans-Montana, part of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, start from 730 CHF (approx. £635) for a Lower Superior Terrace. For further information, please visit www.sixsenses.com
Suvretta House
Suvretta House is one of Switzerland’s most iconic heritage hotels, set in a pristine private estate nestled amidst the rolling valleys of St. Moritz, it’s a much-loved favourite with the most discerning travellers owing to its natural beauty, spectacular vistas and effortless glamour.
The fairy tale-esque hotel is steeped in history and culture and has long since been on the map as one of Europe’s finest destinations, having first opened its doors over 100 years ago. Welcoming the likes of Evita Peron, King Farouk of Egypt and the Shah of Persia, St Moritz has become an internationally renowned jet-set hub of cosmopolitan glamour and elegance, to this day remains one of the most decadent year-round mountainside retreats in Europe.
The 181-room hotel has its own private ski lift, offering unrivalled access to the wildflower-covered slopes and 93 miles of spectacular hiking paths. The hotel is also home to a spa, where guests can enjoy bespoke treatments, or the al fresco hot tubs with panoramic views across the Engadine Valley. Suvretta House is renowned for its outstanding traditional Swiss fare, impeccable service, and elegant restaurants.
On the sun terrace at the Suvretta Stube guests can enjoy the infamous Swiss Fondue surrounded by verdant pines, or in the evenings guests can opt to dine at The Grand Restaurant, the opulently chic, candlelit fine-dining restaurant, where executive chef Fabrizio Zanetti celebrates his market-fresh Swiss cuisine with international panache, whilst a pianist plays softly in the background. Suvretta House hosts an impressive roster of fabulous cultural events across the summer season, from the annual St Moritz Classic British Car Rally, to visiting chefs, live jazz nights and golfing weeks, to name just a few.
Summer rates at Suvretta House start from CHF 490 (approx. £330) based on two sharing a Double Standard Mountain Room on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner). www.suvrettahouse.ch/en/
Ciasa Salares
Summer in the Alps is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and Ciasa Salares, the beautiful, family-run hotel situated on the outskirts of San Cassiano, is Scott Dunn’s choice for an alpine escape. During their stay, guests can enjoy the plentiful hiking trails suitable for all levels, with complimentary hiking sticks and maps, bottled water and even bicycle hire available at the hotel.
From the exhilarating Via Ferrata trail where guests will climb the edge of a mountain with the expertise of their mountain guide, to visiting the Adventure Park Colfosco in Alta Badia for a family tree-top adventure, there is no shortage of breath-taking vistas to be seen. Alternatively, cycling enthusiasts will benefit from a huge cycling network, and the efforts of uphill mountain climbs are rewarded with beautiful panoramic views and access to crystal-clear lakes.
Travellers can also venture to the Movimënt parks at Piz Sorega and Piz La Ila. Surrounded by alpine lawn, the parks are tailor-made for adventurers and are equipped with climbing frames for beginners, zip lines, trampolines, and caverns. Individuals can relax in cable cars and glide all the way up the mountains, hop out easily and set off on a hiking or biking adventure. Back at the hotel, the Beauty SPA Vives is the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate with a large swimming pool, Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, Infrared cabin, and solarium as well as a whirlpool bath.
Built in a traditional Italian chalet style, the hotel is spacious and charming with bright, cosy bedrooms – many of which have a balcony, perfect for making the most of the spectacular views across the Dolomites.
Scott Dunn offers seven nights at Ciasa Salares from £5,549 per couple in a superior double on a half board basis. For more information, please visit www.scottdunn.com or call 020 8682 5030.
