Very few places on Earth feel more Christmassy than the Alps during the winter months. Snow-draped mountains, cosy Alpine villages, numerous Christmas markets, warm pubs and warmer hospitality, the Alps are the perfect destination for a winter getaway. And if you want to make that experience even more special, you’ve got to stay in a classic Alpine winter hotel. From those high up in the mountains to those surrounded by lush green forest, these are the 7 best winter hotels in the Alps.
What Are the Most Scenic Winter Hotels in the Alps?
1. Grand Hotel Kronenhof – Pontresina, Switzerland
Any hotel with ‘Grand’ at the beginning of its name surely has to live up to its reputation, and that’s exactly what Grand Hotel Kronenhof does.
Found in the Swiss Alps, this five-star hotel has been welcoming guests through its doors since 184, and stands proudly above the village of Pontresina, giving guests unparalleled views of the Swiss Alps.
Guests can experience all four seasons at the hotel, but winter is when it really comes alive. Think a 19th-century hotel with 360° views of unspoiled Alpine scenery, mountains coated in snow and evergreens peeking through the clouds, all while you’re looking from the comfort of your warm, cosy hotel room, or from the hotel’s incredible spa.
The glass-fronted hotel swimming pool offers some of the best views of the Swiss Alps from the heated water, so you can watch the snow fall as you enjoy a gentle, relaxing swim.
Finally, with 112 rooms and suites to choose from, The Grand Kronenhof is also a suitable choice for families planning on a winter holiday to the Swiss Alps.
2. Les Fermes de Marie – Megève, France
Advertised as ‘the art of winter living’, few hotels can come close to offering what Les Fermes de Marie does.
Found in Megève, Les Fermes de Marie has designed all of its rooms and suites to look like traditional Alpine log cabins, adding an extra layer of cosiness and authentic Alpine aesthetic to your stay.
Given that it’s a five-star hotel, stays here don’t come cheap, but if you’re on the lookout for your next winter holiday and want a liberal splashing of luxury, then this is the place for you.
Built from genuine old chalets and in operation since 1989, the hotel is organised into a mini Alpine chalet-style village, offering peace, quiet and privacy – and it is also 500m from the nearest village, adding an extra touch of privacy to your stay.
There are six different restaurants onsite to choose from, from a state-of-the-art steakhouse to a quaint French bistro, as well as a bar serving up top-class French wines. You’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to staying at Les Fermes de Marie, and your only regret will be that you didn’t book a longer stay!
3. Hotel Nesslerhof – Großarltal, Austria
Austria and winter holidays go together like Christmas pudding and brandy sauce, so it’s little surprise to see an Austrian hotel make an appearance on this list.
Hotel Nesslerhof, deep in the Austrian Alps, is a five-star hotel aimed at those who enjoy the best of both worlds – winter activities and relaxing – all while being surrounded by pristine Alpine luxury.
After a day of hitting the slopes, you can relax in the premium spa with several different pools to choose from, or indulge in a yoga class or a massage to soothe your muscles, ready for another day of outdoor adventures.
All of the hotel’s rooms – from the standard accommodations to the most premium suites – offer pristine Alpine views, which inspire creatives from all over the world, as well as encourage outdoor enthusiasts to get out and explore the snow-covered mountains and surrounding hills.
4. Chalet Al Foss – Vermiglio, Italy
As far as Alpine hotels go, the Italian Alps are severely underrepresented and underrated. As such, you can expect a much quieter stay here than you might in France or Switzerland, for example.
And a prime example of that is Chalet Al Foss in Vermiglio, Italy. This mountainside hotel features only 36 rooms, offering a quiet and personal experience for guests seeking luxury in the Italian Alps.
With all rooms offering panoramic views over the surrounding mountains and rolling hills, this is truly a winter holiday dream – and the log-lined cabin aesthetic in the rooms really complements this feeling of comfort, warmth and cosiness.
The hotel also has an outdoor infinity pool – heated during the winter – making it the perfect place to admire the incredible mountain views while enjoying your favourite drink under the snow.
And with an authentic Italian restaurant onsite, what’s better than coming back to the hotel after a day of Alpine exploration than a hearty glass of Italian red and a wood-fired pizza or steaming bowl of fresh pasta enjoyed next to a log fire?
5. Les Airelles – Courchevel, France
Found on the slopes of Courchevel 1850, arguably the most luxurious ski resort village in the world, Les Airelles is surrounded by incredible ski slopes and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, but you don’t even need to leave the hotel for the ultimate winter holiday in the Alps.
Designed as a classic mountain refuge, with log cabin-themed rooms and suites, and comfortable beds lined with mountains of blankets, this is a truly luxurious stay for your next winter holiday.
The spa is one of the highlights of the hotel, warm and inviting – a sharp contrast to the snow-covered slopes outside, which can be as cold as -15℃ in the depths of winter.
The spa offers a range of authentic treatments, from snow-based therapy (great for your skin) to full body massages, sensory showers and lots more to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated like never before. There is even a hairdressing and beauty salon in the hotel, so you can feel like a new person after a day on the slopes before getting ready to dine in the hotel’s incredible restaurant.
You can even dine outside on the snow-dusted terraces or enjoy an Alpine picnic on the slopes, kindly put together by the hotel’s award-winning chefs for the ultimate unique experience while staying here.
6. Aqua Dome – Oberlängenfeld, Austria
Found deep in the Austrian Alps, Aqua Dome looks more like something from a science-fiction movie than an Alpine hotel – but that’s what makes it one of the best winter hotels in the region.
The hotel’s rooms are modern and packed with amenities such as coffee machines, super-fast WiFi, smart TVs and more, on-brand with the ultra-modern settings of the hotel itself, but it’s the spa which really makes this one of the best hotels in the Alps.
With not just one, but seven saunas to choose from, you can enjoy the warmth of a sauna after a day on the slopes or hiking through the nearby foothills, before warming up with a traditional Austrian hot chocolate or a mulled wine.
With over 200 rooms and suites to choose from, there is a real sense of community in the hotel, and there’s always something going on – you’ll never feel out of place being the only person in an outdoor swimming pool in the middle of winter, for example!
The heated swimming pools are perfect for a dip during the winter months, and with the huge Aqua Dome in the middle – the hotel’s namesake – the views can still be enjoyed from inside when it gets too cold to be outside.
This is a top-class hotel in a wonderful destination, and perfect for your next winter holiday to the Austrian Alps.
7. Tschuggen Grand Hotel – Arosa, Switzerland
Open from November to March for the winter season, rooms at Tschuggen Grand Hotel in the Swiss Alps go quickly, so it’s important to book up in advance.
Found on the outskirts of Arosa Forest on the mountainside, modern amenities meet a traditional Alpine stay, offering the best of both worlds.
A private mountain railway takes you from the very doors of the hotel into the forest for nearby hiking trails, giving you the opportunity to take in the incredible Alpine scenery around you.
Back at the hotel, the hotel’s 32-year-old head chef has recently been made Chef of the Year 2025, which gives you a taste of the level of cuisine that you can expect after a day of Alpine adventuring.
The hotel’s award-winning spa has a strong focus on holistic and wellbeing treatments, and is set in ultra-modern buildings spread over 5,000 square metres, meaning there’s essentially enough room for all guests to have a spa treatment at the same time if they wanted to!
What else makes the Tschuggen Grand Hotel stand out is how serious they are about climate change and sustainability. They want this hotel to be open for future generations to enjoy the scenery, and as such, take great care with their resourcefulness and sustainability initiatives, such as using 100% eco-certified electricity, being a completely CO2-neutral building, financing climate protection projects and having a target to ban the use of fossil fuels in the hotel by 2026.
This is truly a winter holiday paradise, especially for those who enjoy luxury but are conscious about their impact on the environment.
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