Europe’s best alpine escapes

The summer season is a fabulous time to get away to the mountains, with the crisp alpine air and brilliant sun sure to revitalise your spirit. Whether it’s an adventurous getaway, a cosy pampering session, or just a simple trip to enjoy the dazzling landscapes, here’s our pick of mountain addresses for Europe's best alpine escapes. From Bavaria and Austria to Switzerland and Italy's Tyrol.

Hotel Bachmair Weissach, Bavaria, Germany

The majestic alpine landscape surrounding Hotel Bachmair Weissach in Bavaria is awe-inspiring. The hotel’s superb views, as well as its classic Bavarian charm, will be sure lure guests to the Tegernsee Valley.

This 146-room property is elegant, modern, and exudes the exclusivity of a private country club with the charm of a quaint Bavarian home.

Choose from a vast array of activities on offer at the hotel, including outdoor tennis courts, gym and yoga classes, as well as unique wellness treatments at the spa, such as a herbal sauna, ice grottos and alpine hay baths. In the surrounding area you can enjoy paragliding, skiing, sailing and windsurfing among the mountains and lakes.

Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort, Kitzbühel, Austria

At Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort, you’ll be treated to both contemporary and traditional Austrian craftsmanship in the heart of the Kitzbühel Alps.

Surrounded by colourful mountain meadows dotted with wildflowers, alpine pastures and the steep rock formations of Wilder Kaiser Mountain, this inspirational environment was the muse for the interior design.

The hotel integrates contemporary, minimalist lines seamlessly with classic alpine textures and local materials including leather, pine, and loden to allow guests to savour the true essence of Austrian alpine living.

Plus there’s parasailing, cycling (in part of the world’s largest electric cycling area) and more than a thousand kilometres of well-maintained hiking trails nearby.

Vigilius Mountain Resort, South Tyrol, Italy

Italy’s Matteo Thun-designed eco-hideaway Vigilius Mountain Resort is a comforting retreat in South Tyrol.

The hotel’s ecological commitment is evident in the use of natural construction methods and sustainable local resources including the grass-covered roof, 300-year-old timber beams in Restaurant 1500, and internally heated clay walls in the 41 rooms and suites

The resort can only be reached by cable car, which takes guests 1500 metres above sea level, making it the perfect location for views of The Dolomites, the Valle d’Adige and the surrounding scenery.

The Omnia, Zermatt, Switzerland

For those who have been meaning to visit the legendary Matterhorn, a visit to The Omnia in Zermatt, Switzerland offers the perfect opportunity, as its 30 rooms offer panoramic views.

The name of the hotel, meaning ‘the all encompassing’ in Latin, gives clues to the resort’s inclusive design philosophy, where rooms are unnumbered to enhance the homely feel and private balconies offer spectacular views of the peaks.

From idyllic campfire spots to activities like summer skiing, fly-fishing, hiking, cycling and paragliding, Zermatt is ideal any time of year.

Bergland Hotel Sölden, Austria

Devotees of wellness and healthy living will be spoilt with choice at Bergland Hotel Sölden.  Not only is the hotel perfectly placed for sports enthusiasts to explore Austria’s ski slopes, cycle routes, and hiking trails, but it also specialises in adventure activities.

This 86-room resort was crafted by local tradesmen with hints of authentic Austrian heritage, from rocking chairs to oiled oak floors. Even the hotel’s 1700-metre high Sky Spa keeps it local by using herbs from the hotel’s garden to promote wellbeing.

Choose from popular outdoor adventure sports like rock-climbing or white-water rafting in the steep canyons of the Ötztal, or enjoy an adventurous day at the Area 47, the valley’s outdoor adventure park, or train with one of the top cyclists of the Ötztal Bike Marathon at the Bike Academy in the hotel.

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