The Alps stretch further than France; its next-door neighbour Switzerland is even more renowned for its alpine lifestyle. Nearly all of the Alps’ highest peaks are found here, and with 60% of the entire country covered by mountains, the opportunities for a glamorous winter holiday are endless. Here are a few of The Luxury Travel Agency’s favorite spots for a Swiss ski vacation:
Luxury Ski Resorts: Glamorous Gstaad
When the international jet set embark on their Swiss ski holidays, the first name on their lips is often Gstaad. Coming to prominence nearly a century ago, this is the headquarters for old-school luxury: diamond dinner galas, venerated ski clubs, and rows of celebrity-owned chalets. Some alpine enclaves may be more ostentatious, but none are as exclusive as Gstaad. The first luxury hotel built here is still the town’s beating heart: the celebrated Gstaad Palace.
Name a renowned celebrity of the past fifty years, and chances are good they’ve stepped foot in the Palace’s elegant Lobby. Madonna, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana – the list is a long one. The people-watching at the Palace is alone worth the price of admission. Yet the hotel doesn’t rest on its laurels. Rooms and suites stay true to Gstaad’s heritage, blending just enough modern touch to their thick wooden beams and plush curtains. For a truly memorable dining experience, book the Walig Hut, built nearly 250 years ago and perched 1,700 meters up on the alpine slopes. Its timeless beauty never fails to leave one speechless – and if you can’t tear yourself away after dinner, stay overnight in its cozy bedroom. Before you depart, don’t miss an evening in the hotel’s GreenGo Nightclub, with its dancefloor extended above a swimming pool: the surest place to rub elbows with the rich and famous!
Luxury Ski Resorts: Shimmering St. Moritz
If Gstaad turns the paparazzi away at the door, St. Moritz welcomes them with open arms. Standing at the opposite ends of the country, the towns nonetheless have much in common – primarily their stature as playgrounds for the wealthy. St. Moritz has hosted two Winter Olympics, and promotes itself as the Top of the World; the town certainly doesn’t shy away from the spotlight! With over 300 days of sun a year, there are few destinations as perfectly suited for outdoor adventure, and the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is the ideal home to enjoy them from.
At Badrutt’s, the name is no mere label: the hotel is a veritable castle, turrets rising from the fluffy snow. The Lobby Lounge opens onto stunning views of Lake St. Moritz, with a panoramic mountain backdrop – there’s no better seat for a spot of Afternoon Tea. Rooms and suites offer views of the same lake (on one side) or the picturesque village centre (on the other). Unlike many of its alpine contemporaries, Badrutt’s keeps the color scheme light and airy, perfectly mirroring its sunny environs. You’d be hard-pressed to make a full round of all eight restaurants, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! IGNIV is the headliner, having just been awarded its second Michelin star, but don’t miss the exquisite breakfast at Le Restaurant, accompanied by live harp music. And when you’re done with the slopes, make your way to the indoor infinity pool – you may never swim with a better view!
Luxury Ski Resorts: Verily Verbier
Maybe you want something with a little less glitz and a little more focus on the slopes themselves. Or perhaps you’re looking for accommodations even more exclusive than the Palaces we’ve already mentioned. For true powder hounds, few ski towns can compare to Verbier. Visitors have access to the “4 Vallées”, Switzerland’s largest ski area with massive swaths of terrain for everyone from beginners to the most expert off-piste adventurers. And when it comes to unique lodgings, none are as remarkable as The Lodge, Verbier.
The Lodge is owned by Richard Branson, the winter jewel of his exclusive-use global portfolio. The nine-bedroom chalet is the epitome of luxury alpine living: each room is uniquely designed with cozy modern sensibilities, with the two top-floor Master Suites connecting via a secret door in the bookcase! There’s even a bunk room if your group is bringing little ones along. The Lodge offers all the service of a top-notch hotel, including Michelin-star-trained chefs who cook everything to order with the freshest ingredients, and staff who will take care of all your ski gear without you lifting a finger. It’s the perfect balance of a private home and a serviced hotel – there’s no better approach for your luxury ski holiday.
The Luxury Travel Agency partners with all of the most incredible ski resorts in the Swiss Alps and around the world. At our Partner Hotels, we’ll provide you with unbeatable rates, alongside complimentary benefits such as room upgrades, daily breakfast, spa credits, VIP status, early check-in and late check-out, unique experiences, and so much more! In every instance, your safety and security comes first.
We can help with everything from a simple hotel or resort booking to complete travel planning, including yacht and private jet charters, villas, and more! Contact us today via Whatsapp or telephone at +1-647-551-4560 and let’s start planning your next trip.
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