The most beautiful hotels for an Alpine escape this summer

Alpine hotels have evolved far beyond snug boltholes where you hang up your salopettes between sessions on the slopes. The new wave of luxury accommodation transforms the mountains into a year-round destination where travellers swap crowded tourist trails for rolling meadows, forest hikes and exceptional wellness experiences. Farm-to-fork dining is part of the appeal too, with talented chefs plating up food crafted from produce grown on site or foraged locally, all wrapped up in design-led spaces rooted in a genuine focus on sustainability. 

According to Expedia, travellers are increasingly seeking out “detour destinations” alongside the big-hitters, with 63 per cent of consumers in 2025 saying they’re likely to visit a lesser-known spot on their next trip. The Alps are perfectly positioned for savvy travellers looking to extend their European summer itinerary, spanning eight countries including Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany. 

While ski resorts in the northern hemisphere have traditionally bolted their doors come spring, warmer winters and a new wave of hotels redefining the shoulder season are giving the region renewed allure beyond the snow. From a storied address in Gstaad with seven saunas to a Swiss hideaway hosting yoga retreats in the fresh alpine air, plus an adults-only sanctuary rooted in local craftsmanship – we highlight the Alpine hotels worth checking into this summer.

10 Alpine hotels to have on your radar

Forestis Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy

There’s a good reason people are still talking about Forestis six years after its opening. Perched on the southern slope of Mount Plose, its three timber towers – designed by Brixen-based architect Armin Sader to blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest – rise dramatically against the jagged Dolomite peaks. The 62-suite hotel celebrates the four natural elements through a pared-back palette of wood, stone and linen, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame showstopping mountain views. There are two restaurants to choose from, but it’s the subterranean Yera, carved into the mountainside, that guests return to for its intimate hyper-local dining. The two-floor spa features steam baths, hot rooms and mountain pine scrubs, while meditation sessions, guided walks and yoga workshops round out the wellness offering. Make it your base to hike, bike and explore the Prasager Wildsee before taking a dip in the mineral outdoor pool. forestis.it

L’Alpaga, Megève, France

At L’Alpaga, guests can drift between an open-air cinema, outdoor pool, swish spa, Michelin-starred restaurant and bedrooms that might have you reconsidering your next house renovation – all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Mont Blanc. The hotel offers a mix of rooms, ranging from snug doubles to three-bedroom suites, plus ten chalets spread across the self-contained hamlet. Interiors lean into alpine charm, with wood-panelled walls and ceilings complemented by upholstered headboards, sheepskin furnishings and a curated lineup of artwork including framed piste maps and illustrative drawings. The undisputed star of the show is chef Alexandre Baule’s La Table, where Megève’s local larder inspires flavour-packed menus – the eight-course feast, journeying from salted waters to high mountain pastures, is not to be missed. Spend days exploring the surrounding meadows and forests by e-bike, horseback or on foot – or unleash your creativity with a painting or photography workshop. beaumier.com/hotel-alpaga

Le Grand Bellevue, Gstaad, Switzerland 

At Gstaad's oldest palace hotel, a 1962 Bentley once owned by Roger Moore is yours to request during your stay – and if that doesn't signal the tone, the setting will. Just moments from the town’s glamorous promenade, lined with designer boutiques and postcard-worthy chalets that have drawn the likes of Madonna, Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot, Le Grand Bellevue distills the essence of Alpine chic. The spa is the crowd-pleaser, with 17 wellness zones including a salt grotto, hay sauna, Turkish steam bath and ice caves, all designed to boost circulation and restore the body. Between mountain excursions, dine at Leonard’s – the black-lobster taglierini is a highlight – on the sunny alfresco terrace or inside the glitzy dining room adorned with Hauser & Wirth artworks. Rooms deliver cloud-like mattresses, Bamford toiletries and a soothing jazz soundtrack at turndown – opt for one of the tower rooms for jaw-dropping Matterhorn views. bellevue-gstaad.ch

Naturhotel Forsthofgut, Leogang, Austria 

Passed down through the same family for six generations, this eco-conscious sanctuary sits at the foot of the Asitz mountain just an hour from Salzburg, flanked by dense forest and rolling meadows. Its 112 rooms and suites are defined by earthy, warm-toned furnishings and powered by clean energy generated from the hotel’s own forestry. The sprawling grounds are home to a spa with Japanese bathhouses, saunas and an infinity pool, plus personalised programmes, such as forest bathing, breathwork, detox retreats, horse riding and biking. A well-equipped gym draws fitness enthusiasts with yoga, boxing and a reformer Pilates studio. Meanwhile, in-house restaurant Silva presents an R50 menu with every ingredient sourced within a 30-mile radius – a commitment to the local landscape that extends to the hotel’s active restoration project. forsthofgut.at

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Salzburg, Austria

Entering its third summer season, Rosewood’s Austrian address sits on the eastern shore of Lake Fuschl between Vienna and Munich – a setting famously recognised as the filming location for the 1965 classic The Sound of Music. The 98 guest rooms, including 42 suites, have lake-facing views, marble bathrooms, wall-to-wall headboards and elegant linen touches. Days unfold with sunrise yoga, cold plunges in the lake and meditation sessions, while the spa offers a full-body detox plan, a holistic sleep programme and a bio-hacking treatment. The hotel’s beach club rivals the French Riviera, with its pin-striped parasols and plush loungers. A calendar of experiences – mixology classes, wine tastings, hot air balloon rides, afternoon tea, an Alpine herb tour – ensures there’s plenty to keep curious travellers entertained. rosewoodhotels.com/schloss-fuschl-salzburg

Eriro, Ehrwald, Austria

Right on the Austrian-German border, this adults-only retreat is reachable by gondola or on foot, perched 1,500m above sea level in the shadow of the Zugspitze. The historic hotel reopened in 2024 following a major refurbishment thoughtfully led by Italian architect Martin Gruber, with sustainably harvested spruce, pine and larch recycled from the original building and locally sourced stone used throughout. Refreshingly low-tech, rooms are identified by stones etched with numbers, and kitted out with record players, freestanding wooden bathtubs, statement tapestry walls and balcony day beds ideal for stargazing. The spa features three pools filled with naturally filtered water, plus two saunas, infrared loungers and treatments crafted with regional herb oils. Outdoor pursuits include guided hikes, biking and breathwork sessions at Lake Almsee, while food lovers can join chef Alexander Thoss on a forage through the meadows, where collected ingredients are transformed into punchy dishes alongside lake-fresh fish. eriro.at

Hotel Hubertus, Olang, Italy

You'll most likely know Hotel Hubertus for its spectacular 25m outdoor lap pool, jutting out from the building and hanging over a hair-raising drop. And if not, you’ll most certainly have seen its upside-down spa – a striking structure elevated high above ground and supported by two larch-clad pillars, complete with a glass relaxation space for guests moving between treatments and the pool. Once you’ve done a few laps around the sauna, grotto steam and pools, kick back in the restaurant – helmed by the Gasser family, proprietors since 1968 – with South Tyrolean classics, including apple strudel with vanilla cream, gracing the menu. What makes this hotel truly special is its immersion in greenery, with floor-to-ceiling windows maintaining a constant connection to the surrounding greenery, while interiors are defined by whitewashed walls, linen curtains and cosy sofas.hotel-hubertus.com

Grand Hotel Belvedere, Wengen, Switzerland 

If there’s one thing French hotel group Beaumier nails, it’s a seriously chic Alpine abode – and Grand Hotel Belvedere is no exception. The 54-room property is the result of two former hotels conjoined, retaining the original Belvedere’s Wes Anderson-esque charm, while a sleek modern wing connects through a pristine garden. Bright bedrooms channel a mid-century feel in soft greens and yellows, with valley views at every turn and gallery walls displaying a mix of photographs, maps and paintings. At Brasserie Belvedere, British chef Will Gordon masterminds a hyper-local menu – think braised beef cheek with asparagus and wild garlic – served beneath chandeliers atop crisp white tablecloths, with a sun-soaked terrace ideal for long lunches. Beyond the hotel lies the landscape said to have inspired The Lord of the Rings and featured in Fantastic Beasts. Back at base, a Japanese onsen-inspired spa, yoga yurt and an ever-changing roster of experiences, such as paragliding, mushroom foraging and pastry classes, make for a truly memorable getaway. beaumier.com/grand-hotel-belvedere/

Lefay Resort, Pinzolo, Italy

A mountainside retreat drawing Italy’s well-heeled summer crowd, Lefay sets itself apart from the typical Alpine hotel with a spa rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Experts lead tailored programmes covering stress, sleep deprivation and weight management, paired with indoor and outdoor pools, ice therapies and heat rooms. The nearby Alto Garda National Park presents a network of walking and running trails for those seeking fresh Alpine air. Rooms are a serene escape in themselves – think stone marble bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows pouring in natural light and a relaxing earthy palette throughout. At the table, guests can enjoy personalised meal plans built around Mediterranean dishes using locally sourced produce. dolomiti.lefayresorts.com

Vigilius Mountain Resort, South Tyrol, Italy

Reachable only by cable car, Vigilius Mountain Resort sits 1,500m up Monte San Vigilio. Designed by Milan-based architect Matteo Thun using local larch, clay and glass, the building follows the natural outline of the mountain, its green roof blending seamlessly into the landscape. Inside, the aesthetic is quietly considered with warm timber and panoramic mountain views. In summer, the mountain becomes a backdrop for a restorative programme of yoga, sound baths, meditation and forest bathing, with guided hikes through the Alpine trails and a game of bocce on the terrace bringing guests together. The restaurant draws on the finest local South Tyrolean produce, with a daily-changing menu offering a feast for the senses, while the spa invites lingering afternoons with a sun-soaked terrace and a sauna that seemingly melts into the pines beyond.vigilius.it