Best Luxury Hotels In Switzerland
- Nick, Editor
- Nov 12
- 18 min read
Updated: Nov 14
Winter sports, activities & luxury Spa resorts, our top 21 luxury hotels in Switzerland.
Article summary>>
In this article, we take a look at our top 15 luxury 5-Star hotels throughout Switzerland.
Alpina Gstaad
Chalet RoyAlp Hotel
Park Hotel, Vitznau
Baur au Lac, Zurich
Lenkerhof Gourmet
The Dolder Grand, Zurich
The Woodward, Geneva
Hotel des Bergues, Geneva
Burgenstock Resort
Badrutts Palace, St Moritz
Kulm Hotel, St Moritz
Gstaad Palace
The Chadi Andermatt
Hotel Grace La Margna, St Moritz
Hotel Riffelhaus 1853, Zermatt
Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt
Hotel Crans Ambassador
AlpenGold Hotel, Davos
Carlton Hotel, St Moritz
Hotel Splendide Royal
Final thoughts & travel tips
Tours & activities in Switzerland
Comments
The Alpina Gstaad.
The Alpina Gstaad: Hewn from local stone and ancient timbers above the village, this contemporary chalet-palace feels sculpted into the slope, with firelit salons, bespoke art and picture windows that pull the Bernese Oberland right into the room. Bedrooms are velvet-quiet cocoons, knotty wood, hand-carved details, cloud-soft beds, and marble bathrooms with deep tubs, each key opening to a wide balcony where cowbells and powder mornings share the soundtrack, one of the best luxury hotels in Switzerland, all year round.
Wellness is a world unto itself. The vast Six Senses Spa unfurls pools (indoor and out), Himalayan salt rooms, saunas, steam and a serious menu of rituals that tilt from alpine botanicals to high-tech glow. A discreet gym, yoga studio and lap lanes keep intentions honest; in winter, the ski concierge and swift shuttles make Eggli and Wispile feel like extensions of the lobby.
Dining is a constellation: Sommet for high ceremony and a route through Swiss terroir; MEGU for crystalline Japanese precision; Swiss Stübli for fondue and wood-smoke cosiness; terraces for golden-hour cocktails. A private cinema and deep cellar round out the pleasures.
The vibe is polished, art-minded and quietly glamorous, families and weekending romantics folded into unshowy, intuitive service.
Location: on a wooded rise above Gstaad, a stroll or swift shuttle to the Promenade, mountains at arm’s reach, village glow just below.
Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa, Villars-sur-Ollon
Chalet RoyAlp: Tucked above Villars-sur-Ollon with big-sky views of the Dents du Midi, this wood-and-stone retreat balances firelit cosiness with polished Swiss craft, warm timbers, soft wools, picture windows drinking in snow and sun. Bedrooms feel serenely cocooned: cloud-soft beds, generous wardrobes, and marble-and-stone bathrooms; many add balconies for first-espresso horizons and last-light blushes on the peaks. Family suites and private residences fold in kitchens and snug living rooms for house-party ease.
Wellness is the house heartbeat. The spa wraps a handsome indoor pool (flanked by a crackling fireplace) with sauna, steam, vitality showers and quietly expert treatments; a well-equipped fitness room and kids’ club keep every age happy between runs. In winter, it’s a swift shuttle to the lifts for the Villars–Gryon–Les Diablerets domain; in summer, trails, bikes and alpine lakes beckon from the door.
Dining: spans mood and appetite: Le Jardin des Alpes for seasonal finesse, a brasserie for easy, sunlit lunches, and a snug Swiss corner where fondue and rösti arrive in a wood-smoke glow; the bar pours golden-hour cocktails with chalet-chic nonchalance.
The vibe is relaxed, family-friendly, and quietly elegant, weekenders, multi-gen gatherings, discreet celebrants, underpinned by warm, unflappable service.
Location: above the Rhone Valley, an easy train or drive from Montreux and Geneva, with slopes, meadows and village boutiques in easy orbit, Alpine comfort, beautifully edited.
Park Hotel, Vitznau.
Park Hotel Vitznau: A turreted, fairy-tale château on the shores of Lake Lucerne, it marries Belle Époque romance with sleek, contemporary calm, oiled oak, limestone, vast panes of glass that turn water and peaks into living art. Suites feel residential and rare: cloud-soft beds, curated libraries, fine art on the walls, and marble bathrooms with sculptural tubs; many open to terraces where breakfast arrives with swans and first light.
Wellness is a quiet revelation: a serene indoor–outdoor infinity pool seemingly poured into the lake, saunas and steam, a snow grotto, and treatment rooms that pair Swiss precision with alpine botanicals. A private jetty sets the tone for boat jaunts; in fair weather, lake swims feel like contraband luxury.
Dining is destination-grade: the two-star Focus Atelier for finely drawn, seasonal degustations; Prisma for lakeside theatre with a cosmopolitan lilt; a jewel-box bar and wine cellars deep enough to lose an afternoon.
The vibe is cultivated and cocooned, watch aficionados, honeymooners, discreet celebrants, folded into service that’s anticipatory, unshowy, sincerely warm.
Location is the masterstroke: in Vitznau at the base of Mount Rigi, with cogwheel trains, lake steamers and Lucerne’s old town within easy reach, Switzerland’s lake-and-alpine drama, exquisitely framed and right at your window.
Baur au Lak, Zurich.
Baur au Lac: Founded in 1844 and still family-owned, this lakeside grande dame sits at the quiet end of Bahnhofstrasse, where lawns slip toward Lake Zürich and, on clear days, the Alps sketch the horizon. Inside, marble and fresh flowers meet contemporary poise: salons that glow at golden hour, discreet galleries of art, and staff who practice the kind of choreography you feel more than see.
Rooms and suites blend old-world grace with Swiss precision, silk and cashmere textures, cloud-soft beds, handsome bespoke furniture, and marble bathrooms with excellent pressure. Some rooms look onto the park and water; others frame the city’s rooftops and spires.
Dining is a study in mood. Pavillon sets the stage for high ceremony beneath a glass rotunda; Baur’s reimagines the European brasserie with polished comfort; Le Hall and the lakeview Terrasse turn coffee, cocktails, and afternoon tea into civilised punctuation marks. A compact fitness and wellness suite keeps travel rhythms in balance; in summer, the park becomes an alfresco living room.
The vibe is aristocratic yet warmly human, art-minded locals, discreet travellers, and celebrants.
Location is flawless: moments to Paradeplatz and the boutiques of Bahnhofstrasse, a stroll to the old town and lake cruises, Zürich’s best address with a garden key to the water.
Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort. Lenk.
Lenkerhof: Tucked at the foot of the Wildstrubel massif above Lenk, this Belle Époque grande dame turned contemporary resort balances honeyed timbers, slate and glass with wide windows that pull the Bernese Alps into every room. Bedrooms are soothing cocoons, cloud-soft beds, pale woods, terraces or balconies catching first light on the peaks, and stone-and-marble bathrooms that make post-hike soaks a small ceremony.
The 7sources Spa is a destination in itself, riffing on the seven springs that feed the Simme: an outdoor sulfur pool steaming into mountain air, an indoor lap pool, saunas and steam in varying heats, Kneipp paths, cold plunges, and treatment suites that weave alpine botanicals into quietly potent rituals. A bright fitness studio, yoga, bikes and trail maps keep days purposeful; in winter, shuttles whisk you to the Adelboden-Lenk ski area, with pistes for every temperament.
Dining leans indulgent and seasonal. A signature gourmet restaurant courts Michelin-minded palates, while relaxed venues handle wood-fired comfort and sunlit terrace lunches; the wine cellar is a minor epic. Evenings close with cocktails by the fire or under a violet mountain sky.
The vibe is polished, health-forward and happily unhurried. Couples, hikers, and relaxed families, looked after with warm, Swiss-precise service.
Location: at the quiet end of the Simmental, a stroll to Lenk’s village heart, lifts and waterfall walks, Bernese Oberland beauty, finely tuned.
Beau Rivage Palace.
Beau-Rivage Palace: Anchoring the gardens of Ouchy since 1861, this Belle Époque beauty links twin palaces with galleries of marble and light, frescoed ceilings, and salons perfumed with lilies. Bedrooms are serenely patrician, silk-upholstered headboards, cloud-soft beds, tall French windows, and marble bathrooms; many keys claim wrought-iron balconies for dawn coffee over water that glints like cut glass.
Days slip into civilised ritual. The spa is a hushed, contemporary cocoon with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam, and exacting treatments; tennis courts tuck into the park, while the lakeside promenade and private jetty make boat jaunts feel inevitable.
Dining is destination-grade: Anne-Sophie's signature restaurant for high ceremony and crystalline flavours; breezier lakeview brasseries for langorous lunches; a cocktail bar that glows at golden hour. Breakfast is a still life of Swiss breads, Alpine butter and honey, best taken on the terrace.
The vibe is cultivated and quietly glamorous, honeymooners, discreet families, held together by service that’s anticipatory, unshowy, sincerely warm.
Location is perfection: on the Ouchy waterfront, steps to lake steamers and the metro up to Lausanne’s old town; Lavaux vineyards and Montreux a scenic glide away, Romandie’s lake-and-mountain theatre, exquisitely framed.
The Dolder Grand, Zurich.
The Dolder Grand: Poised on the forested Adlisberg above Zürich, this 1899 hilltop grande dame, reimagined with sleek, curving wings, looks across the lake, city and, on clear days, the Alps. Inside, old-world turrets meet gallery cool: a serious contemporary art collection, glossy marble, hushed carpets, and staff who know good service.
Rooms are divided between classic and cutting-edge, ornamental cornices or clean lines, each with cloud-soft beds, generous wardrobes and marble bathrooms; many add terraces that turn sunrise into theatre. The showstopper is the vast Dolder Grand Spa: an aquatic dream of dark stone and light, indoor and outdoor pools, Japanese-inspired sunaburo, saunas, steam, snow room, meditation spaces, and treatment suites that marry Swiss precision to soulful ritual. A compact golf course, forest trails, and seasonal ice rink keep the hilltop lively.
Dining matches the view. The Restaurant (two Michelin stars) stages meticulous, modern plates; Saltz keeps things relaxed and local-minded; terraces pour golden-hour cocktails over a city of twinkling lights.
The vibe is cultured, wellness-forward, discreetly glamorous, art lovers, celebrants, and weekend escapees sharing the same contented hush.
Location: minutes from the centre via the Dolderbahn funicular; close to museums and Bahnhofstrasse shopping, yet wrapped in woods and sky, Zürich at a serene remove.
The Woodward, Geneva.
The Woodward: Set in a 1901 Belle Époque mansion on Quai Wilson, this suites-only Oetker Collection address is a study in quietly dazzling detail, Pierre-Yves Rochon’s creamy palettes, parquet underfoot, marble fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows that stage Mont Blanc and the Jet d’Eau like living artworks. Each suite feels residential and rare: cloud-soft beds, handsome salons, walk-in dressing rooms, and stone-bright bathrooms with deep tubs; many add balconies that turn sunrise into ritual.
Amenities are impeccably grown-up. The Guerlain Spa unfurls in hushed stone with a 21-metre indoor pool, sauna, steam, snow shower, and exacting treatments; a sleek fitness studio and private salon complete the cocoon. Dining is destination-grade: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon for counter-side culinary theatre and pristine plates; Le Jardinier for vegetable-forward elegance and lake-light lunches; the bar pours crystalline martinis and Champagne with jeweller’s precision. Service moves in low, confident gears, anticipatory, personal, unruffled.
The vibe is discreet cosmopolitanism: watch connoisseurs, art-fair regulars, weekending Parisians and New Yorkers, everyone speaking fluent lake.
Location: on the waterfront, a stroll to Parc Mon Repos, moments to Rue du Rhône boutiques and the Old Town, with boats, trams, and trains within easy reach, Geneva’s best angles, perfectly framed.
Four Seasons, Hotel des Bergues. Geneva.
Hotel des Bergues: Opened in 1834 on the Rhône’s right bank, this neoclassical grande dame watches the river slip toward the Jet d’Eau, Mont Blanc hovering like a promise on clear days. Inside, silk-draped salons and parquet floors meet light, modern polish; staff greet you with the kind of ease that suggests long practice.
Rooms and suites are serenely patrician, pale palettes, cloud-soft beds, tall windows, and marble bathrooms with deep tubs and walk-in showers. Riverside rooms frame the bridge and lake; corner suites add petite salons for breakfast with a view.
Amenities are destination-grade. Il Lago leans Michelin-bright Italian, all finesse and seasonal clarity; up top, Izumi (by Nobu Matsuhisa) serves Nikkei plates on a rooftop terrace that turns sunset into theatre. The Spa Mont Blanc cocoons with a tranquil pool, sauna and steam, plus results-driven treatments; a sunlit gym keeps travel honest. Afternoon tea lands like a ritual in the lobby, cocktails sparkle in the bar.
The vibe is discreet cosmopolitanism, watch collectors, diplomats, weekend celebrants, held by service that’s anticipatory, unflappable, and genuinely warm.
Location is perfection: on Quai des Bergues, steps to Rue du Rhône boutiques, the Old Town, boat piers and trams, Geneva’s loveliest angles at arm’s reach, with the lake as your daily companion.
Burgenstock Hotel & Alpine spa, Lake Lucerne.
Bürgenstock: Poised on a cliff 500 metres above Lake Lucerne, this glass-and-stone aerie spools terraces along the ridge so every corridor, lounge, and suite feels lashed to sky and water. Inside, Swiss-modern calm prevails, oiled oak, soft wools, basalt and bronze, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that stage mountains like a moving fresco. Rooms are serene and spacious, with cloud-soft beds, fire-warmed lounges, and marble-and-stone bathrooms; balconies catch the lake’s silver mornings and embered sunsets.
The headline is the vast Alpine Spa: an indoor-outdoor aquatic playground where a warm infinity pool appears to pour into the lake, backed by saunas, steam baths, a salt grotto, cold plunges, and treatment suites that marry Swiss precision to alpine botanicals. A fitness pavilion, yoga studios, and forest trails keep good intentions intact; the historic Bürgenstock Funicular and boat link the mountaintop to the water in delightful, old-world style.
Dining arcs from refined Swiss to Mediterranean-bright terraces and Asian-leaning kitchens, with a cocktail bar that turns dusk into theatre. Service is polished and quietly proud.
Location is the masterstroke: a swift boat-and-funicular ride from Lucerne, yet feeling worlds away, with peaks, lake, forest, and sky composited into a single, breath-steadying panorama you’ll carry home.
Badrutt's Palace, St Moritz.
Some mountain hotels flirt with glamour; Badrutt’s Palace invented it. Rising turreted over Lake St. Moritz, the 1896 Grande Hotel blends Engadine romance with effortless polish: frescoed ceilings, sweeping staircases, jewel-box salons and windows that drink in ice-blue winter and alpine-sparkled summer alike. Bedrooms feel royally cocooned, soft beds, pared-back luxury in alpine hues, marble bathrooms, many with balconies that frame lake and peaks like a postcard you can step into.
Days find an elegant rhythm. Ski the Corviglia slopes (the hotel’s ski concierge has everything prepped), then descend to Palace Wellness: a serene pool facing the lake, outdoor heated baths, saunas, steam and an ice fountain, plus results-driven treatments. There’s a private ice rink in season, tennis morphing to paddle and lawn in summer, and a Rolls-Royce house car that turns errands into theatre. Dining is a constellation: Matsuhisa in the former tennis hall, the storied Chesa Veglia farmhouse for pizza, grill and rustic charm, grand rooms for breakfast under chandeliers, and King’s Social House for after-dark sparkle.
The vibe is high-altitude, high-gloss: old-money regulars, fashion weekender energy, families returning like tradition. Service is unflappable and personal, tuned to anticipate.
Location: at the heart of St. Moritz Dorf, steps to boutiques, lake promenades and the funicular, Engadine drama at your window, the slopes and scene at your feet.
Kulm Hotel, St Moritz.
Kulm: Founded in 1856 by Johannes Badrutt and credited with igniting winter tourism, this Engadine grande dame surveys Lake St. Moritz from a commanding perch, all grand salons, picture windows and quiet, old-world confidence refreshed with contemporary ease. Guest rooms mix alpine light with tailored luxury, soft wools, polished woods, cloud-soft beds, and marble bathrooms; many keys open onto balconies that frame lake and peaks like a private panorama.
Wellness is a high point. The Kulm Spa unfurls across panoramic pools (indoor and open-air), saunas, steam, a salt grotto and serene treatment suites; a well-equipped gym and studios keep intentions honest. Outside, the rhythm turns playful: a 9-hole Kulm golf course in summer; tennis, hiking and e-biking across sun-washed trails; in winter, ski concierge to Corviglia, skating and curling, with the storied Cresta Run a snow-sparked heartbeat away.
Dining: the Grand Restaurant for classic ceremony; Kulm Country Club for heritage glamour and alpine comfort; the Sunny Bar for Peruvian-leaning brightness and a lively evening hum. Cocktails glow fireside as the lake ices over.
The vibe is polished and warmly patrician, families returning like tradition, discreet regulars, weekending romantics, underpinned by service that’s poised, personal and unflappable.
Location: in St. Moritz Dorf, steps to boutiques, the lake promenade and the funicular, Engadine drama at your window, slopes and scene at your feet.
Gstaad Palace.
Gstaad Palace: Crowning a wooded rise above the village since 1913, its turrets watch over the Saanenland as if guarding the snows. Inside, Belle Époque bones meet warm Alpine polish, stone fireplaces, honeyed woods, wide windows catching powder-bright mornings and rose-gold sunsets. Rooms and suites are cosseting and refined: knotty timber, tactile fabrics, cloud-soft beds, marble bathrooms; many keys open to balconies that frame pastures in summer and a glittering valley in winter.
The Palace Spa is a destination in itself: indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam, a vast hammam, salt grotto, quiet zones, and results-forward treatments; a gym and studios keep intentions honest. In season, you’ll find outdoor tennis, an ice-rink, and a superb kids’ club; the hotel can whisk you to Eggli, Wispile and beyond with ski concierge precision. Dining is a constellation: Le Grand Restaurant & La Terrasse for ceremonious evenings, Le Grill for flame-kissed finesse, Gildo’s for Italian romance, and La Fromagerie for fondue in a wood-smoke glow. After dark, GreenGo turns nightlife into a velvet-lit legend.
The vibe is high-altitude, old-world glamour, families returning like tradition, discreet regulars, celebrants, smoothed by service that’s poised and personal.
Location: a stroll or swift shuttle to the Gstaad Promenade; slopes, trails and meadows radiate in every direction, Switzerland at its most storied, perfectly framed.
The Chedi, Andermatt.
The Chedi Andermatt: Jean-Michel Gathy’s design splices chalet warmth with Asian minimalism, blackened timber, river stone, fireplaces flickering behind glass, so the Ursern Valley feels edited to its essentials. Suites and rooms are cocooning: cloud-soft beds under pitched ceilings, latticed screens, leather-wrapped wardrobes, and marble bathrooms with egg-shaped tubs and rain showers; many open to balconies that drink in pine and peak.
Wellness is the heartbeat. A cinematic 35-metre indoor pool leads to an outdoor vitality pool steaming in the cold, with a vast Spa & Health Club of saunas, steam, hydrotherapy and quietly expert treatments. Ski butlers tune edges and ferry gear to Gütsch/Nätschen and Gemsstock; in summer, e-bikes and guides unlock high meadows and glacier trails.
Dining is both show and substance. The Restaurant stages four open kitchens (European, Asian, grill, pastry) beneath cathedral beams, anchored by a soaring cheese tower and deep cellar; The Japanese deals in pristine sashimi, tempura and a rare sake list, with a seasonal outpost perched high on the mountain. After, the Cigar Library and low-lit bar lengthen the evening.
The vibe is design-literate, hushed, and indulgently comfortable, powder chasers, couples, discreet celebrants.
Location: in Andermatt, at the seam of the Oberalp and Furka passes, rail-easy from Zürich, steps to lifts and trails, where Switzerland’s big-sky drama meets immaculate calm.
Hotel Grace La Margna, St Moritz.
Grace La Margna: A short stroll above the lake and Bahnhof, this refreshed Belle Époque beauty pairs its curved façade and tall sash windows with crisp, contemporary interiors, oiled oak, soft wools, sculptural lighting, and picture windows that drink in Engadine light. Bedrooms are quietly cosseting: cloud-soft beds, bespoke joinery, and stone-and-marble bathrooms with walk-in showers; many rooms open to balconies framing Lake St. Moritz and the serrated peaks beyond.
The hotel’s public spaces feel like modern alpine salons, fireplaces, low sofas, a bar that glows at golden hour, while the compact spa lowers the tempo with pool, sauna, steam and restorative treatments after Corviglia legs. A neat fitness studio and ski room keep mountain days frictionless; in summer, it’s bikes out, meadows up. Dining leans seasonal and Engadine-minded: bright breakfasts that linger, alpine-Mediterranean plates at lunch and dinner, terrace snacks that conspire to become a second glass.
The vibe is design-literate and relaxed: powder chasers at breakfast, gallery-hoppers by afternoon, weekending couples orbiting the bar at dusk, looked after by staff who are warm, unfussy, and quietly on point.
Location: minutes to the lake promenade, lifts and village boutiques; trains at your feet, big-sky Engadine drama at your window, St. Moritz distilled.
Riffelhaus 1853, Zermatt.
Riffelhaus 1853: Perched at roughly 2,500 meters on Riffelberg, this historic inn-turned-boutique refuge (founded, as the name declares, in 1853) feels wonderfully above-it-all, with broad terraces, timbered salons, picture windows drinking in rock and sky. Bedrooms are alpine-simple and quietly elegant: knotty wood, wool throws, cloud-soft beds, and stone-and-tile bathrooms; many rooms frame that unmistakable pyramid of the Matterhorn as if it had wandered up to the glass.
Days fall into a high-altitude rhythm. In winter, it’s true ski-in/ski-out into the Gornergrat area; in summer, trails unspool from the door toward lakes and flowered meadows. The petite spa is the showstopper: an outdoor hot tub and sauna terrace staring straight at the Matterhorn, steam rising into blue air, lungs filling with cold pine. Inside, a lounge glows at dusk; the restaurant serves hearty, polished alpine plates, rosti, lake fish, rich sauces, balanced by a wine list that favours the Valais and a few elegant detours.
The vibe is quietly euphoric: hikers with rosy cheeks, skiers unstrapping at the door, couples lingering over last light. Service is warm and unfussy, tuned to altitude.
Location is the magic trick: above Zermatt, reached by the Gornergrat Bahn, with the world’s most photogenic summit essentially at eye level. You sleep closer to the stars.
Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt.
Riffelalp Resort 2222m: Set in a high clearing above Zermatt, reached by the Gornergrat Bahn and a dinky resort tram, it feels deliciously removed, larches, big sky, silence you can hear, yet perfectly choreographed for comfort. Interiors mix chalet warmth and contemporary ease: knotty woods, soft wools, fireplaces that glow at dusk. Bedrooms are cocooning and bright, many with balconies angled straight at that famous pyramid; marble-and-stone bathrooms turn post-ski soaks into small ceremonies.
Days find a high-mountain rhythm. In winter, it’s true ski-in/ski-out to the Gornergrat area; in summer, trails spool from the door toward lakes and wildflower meadows. The Spa 1900 is a showstopper: an outdoor heated pool and whirlpool staring at the Matterhorn, an indoor pool, saunas, steam, and treatments that marry alpine botanicals with Swiss precision.
Dining ranges from refined to rustic, think elegant, produce-led plates, sunny-terrace lunches and a wood-beamed grill for mountain cravings, while the bar stretches golden hour into star-watching.
The vibe is quietly jubilant: skiers padding in with rosy cheeks, hikers swapping routes over Valais wines, couples lingering by the fire. Service is warm, deft, unfussy.
Location: high above Zermatt, with the peaks essentially at your window and the village an easy, scenic ride away, Alpine drama, luxuriously distilled.
Crans Ambassador, Crans Montana.
Crans Ambassador: A glass-fronted icon above Crans-Montana, the hotel terraces out toward the Rhône Valley so the Alps feel near enough to touch, peaks strung from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc when the air is crystal. Inside, chalet warmth is edited for now: honeyed woods, stone, sleek fireplaces and oversized windows that make the sky a permanent guest. Bedrooms are serene cocoons, cloud-soft beds, tailored joinery, and marble-and-stone bathrooms, many with wide balconies for sunrise coffee and after-ski sunsets.
Wellness: A light-filled indoor pool seems to sail toward the valley; saunas, steam and a proper cold plunge reset mountain legs; treatments lean Swiss-precise with alpine botanicals. The ski room is frictionless, and the nearest lifts are minutes away for fast access to the Crans-Montana domain; in summer, trailheads, e-bikes and the storied Severiano Ballesteros golf course beckon.
Dining moves from bright, produce-led plates by day to candle-lit alpine comfort at night, with a panoramic lounge for golden-hour cocktails that turn into another round. Service is warm, quick and quietly proud of the place.
The vibe is design-savvy and relaxed, the powder chasers, weekending couples, low-key families, everyone orbiting the terrace when the light goes pink.
Location: on the high shoulder of Crans, close to lifts, village boutiques and lakes, big-sky Valais drama, beautifully distilled.
AlpenGold, Davos.
AlpenGold: The shimmering, oval shell rises above Lake Davos like a golden pinecone, its layered “scales” catching sun, snowlight, and storm drama. Inside, chalet warmth is modernised, honeyed woods, clean lines, generous glass, so the landscape is always the lead actor. Bedrooms are airy and cocooning, many with broad balconies over forest and lake; expect cloud-soft beds, handsome joinery, and stone-and-marble bathrooms that make post-ski rituals feel earned.
Wellness sets the rhythm. A panoramic indoor pool unfurls toward the pines; outside, a steaming terrace pool faces the ridgeline. Saunas, steam and a hammam reset mountain legs; treatment rooms lean alpine, herbs, stone, circulation-boosting scrubs, tempered by Swiss precision. A bright fitness studio keeps intentions honest; families get thoughtful attention with a kids’ club and plenty of room to roam. Dining moves from daylight-bright, local-leaning plates to candlelit comfort at night, with a lounge bar that turns golden hour into a habit.
The vibe is design-forward but relaxed: skiers padding in with rosy cheeks, conference sophisticates exhaling, couples plotting tomorrow’s run over a last glass. Service is warm, quick, and quietly can-do.
Location: perched above Lake Davos, with shuttles to Parsenn and Jakobshorn, lakeside trails at the door, and the town’s shops, fairs, and congress halls a swift hop away, big-sky Graubünden, beautifully edited.
Carlton Hotel, St Moritz.
The Carlton: Perched above Lake St. Moritz, this early-20th-century beauty feels like a private eyrie: frescoed ceilings on the Bel Etage, firelit salons, and picture windows drinking in Engadine light that turns from blue steel to rose at dusk. All-suite by design, rooms feel residential and rare, cloud-soft beds, velvet and wool in winter hues, handsome dressing rooms, and marble bathrooms made for unhurried soaks; many open to balconies where the lake and peaks feel close enough to touch.
Wellness is the in-house signature. The three-level spa unfolds with a panoramic pool, outdoor vitality bath steaming into the cold, saunas, steam and quiet treatment suites that marry alpine botanicals to Swiss precision. A ski concierge makes mornings frictionless, and the courtesy shuttle zips you to Corviglia and the village in minutes. Later, return for tea by the fire, cocktails on the Sun Terrace, and dinner that reads the region, mountain herbs, lake fish, rich game, through a polished, contemporary lens.
The vibe is cocooned, elegant, and unmistakably St. Moritz: families returning like tradition, discreet weekending couples, powder chasers with good taste.
Location: high above the promenade with sweeping lake views, moments to lifts, boutiques and frozen-lake pageantry, Engadine drama, immaculately framed.
Hotel Splendide Royal, Lugano.
Hotel Splendide Royal simply opens its shutters and lets Lake Lugano do the talking. A Belle Époque beauty on the palm-lined Riva Caccia, it pairs frescoed ceilings and marble staircases with a soft, modern sheen. Bedrooms are serenely patrician, silk-upholstered headboards, cloud-soft beds, tall windows, and marble bathrooms; many rooms open onto wrought-iron balconies where breakfast arrives with a glimmer of Alps and water.
Amenities strike an elegant, grown-up note. A calm spa and wellness suite lowers the tempo with pool, sauna, steam and treatments that tilt Swiss in precision and Italian in perfume; the gym is compact and sunlit.
Dining leans ceremonious without stuffiness: a lakeview restaurant for seasonal Mediterranean plates and a jewel-box bar for Champagne at golden hour; in summer, the terrace becomes a front-row seat to the lake’s slow theatre. Service is old-school in the best way, anticipatory, discreet, sincerely warm.
The vibe is Ticino at perfect pitch: Italianate ease, polished by Swiss exactitude, honeymooners, watch-fair weekenders, discreet regulars slipping through the revolving door.
Location is a gift: on the waterfront promenade, a stroll to Parco Ciani and the old town, minutes by funicular or boat to Monte Brè and San Salvatore. Return at dusk as the lake inks to cobalt and the Splendide glows like a lantern, Lugano, distilled.
Final thoughts & travel tips:
Badrutt's Palace, Burgenstock or Beau Rivage for the Winter/snow season.
The Woodward for the best luxury city stay
Alpina Gstaad for the best countryside stay, summer/winter
Burgenstock for the best spa experience
Tours & activities
Best Luxury Hotels In Switzerland, Top 21 Article 2025
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