OUR FAVORITE MOUNTAIN HOTELS IN THE ALPS
The Ultimate in Authentic Luxury Accommodations
Our Favorite Alpine Hotels
Hospitality has a long history in the Alps, dating back to the belle epoque of the “grand tour”, when Victorian-era travelers came to gawk at the glaciers and impossibly-steep peaks. Local montagnards realized the potential of offering rooms and meals to these fancy city-folk, and the Alpine resort tourism industry was born. Today, these traditions carry on, often by the same families that founded these hotels over a century or more ago, and we have selected some of our favorites below.
The realization of several generations of the Bich family, former ski champions and mountain guides, now stylish hoteliers. Mixing the very old original 16th-century chalet “core” of the hotel (now the bar) with modern rooms and suites, 2 restaurant areas, a small but perfect spa, and our favorite lounge area of any hotel in the Alps - complete with spacious low leather couches and the best vinyl collection you’ve ever seen - and a thumping sound system to boot. Neiges d’Antan is the ultimate spot to unwind and enjoy Aostan hospitality at its best before a big dinner, some delicious local wine, and a good night’s sleep before skiing the sunny side of the Matterhorn, or Cervino as it’s called here.
Zermatt local artist and designer Heinz Julen’s signature style, mixing industrial glass & steel with local stone and wood, breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, all accented with his distinctive furniture designs and artwork. Julen’s sister Leni is the proprietor, and her hospitality is the real trademark of the property. Unique is a word that so many hotels try to adopt, but in the case of the Coeur des Alpes, it truly defines it. Also probably the best-located hotel in Zermatt in terms of ski access, less than 50m from the Matterhorn Paradise lift station.
Classic Swiss elegance in this historic hotel, built in 1862. The “MCP” underwent an extensive renovation in 2012, bringing all amenities up to modern luxury standard. The central location and Zermatt’s most extensive spa & wellness area makes this our top pick for families in Zermatt, and the Seiler family’s unparalleled history in alpine hospitality cements the MCP’s reputation as the gold standard of Swiss mountain hotels.
This modern minimalist masterpiece, sits on a cliff overlooking Zermatt and the Matterhorn, access is via a tunnel blasted through the rock below. A glass elevator continues the journey to the lobby, where the all-glass construction offers bright spacious views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks of the Valley. Owned by a German design scion, all of the furniture is of their making, and completes the ultra-modern feel of the hotel.
What was once the decrepit Hotel Alba, taken over by ski bums and seasonaires, got a massive face-lift in 2012, and is now Verbier’s most stylish boutique hotel. Interiors feel like you’re a guest at your chic friend’s ski chalet, and the zinc bar and lobby nooks are a great place to unwind - we especially love the sofa beneath the Dominique Tarlé portrait of the Rolling Stones Exile on Main St. sessions.
Barriere les Neiges, Courchevel
French luxury hospitality giant Groupe Barrière opened this intimate 42 room hotel in Dec. of 2016, in France’s most upscale ski resort Courchevel 1850. With more palace hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in the country (except for Paris and the Riviera), it’s largely regarded as winter's answer to star-studded Saint Tropez on the French Riviera.
Located ski-in ski-out on the on the Bellecôte slope, the Barriere’s spacious rooms and suites are decorated in contemporary alpine style, featuring pale larchwood paneling and lots of natural light. Amenities include Courchevel’s largest spa with 7 treatment rooms, hammam and sauna area and 20 meter swimming pool, a screening room, kid’s club, ski shop and 3 restaurants.
At the foot of Mont Blanc, in a quiet haven in the center of Chamonix, lies the Hameau Albert 1er. Charm, prestige, warm welcome, and gastronomy are the key principles of this 5-star hotel founded in 1903 by “great-grandfather Carrier”. A far cry from the original Carrier guest house, today’s Hameau Albert celebrates tradition while embracing the 21st-century luxuries. The modern Bachal Spa blends seamlessly with its surroundings of old wood, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. And the "Restaurant Albert 1er", 2-stars Michelin, is devoted to exceptional cuisine and local delicacies, all of this, just steps from the center of the village of Chamonix.
More than just a hotel, Les Fermes de Marie is a destination in itself. Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet, native Savoyards, have become known for their imaginative hotel projects. In the 1990s they created Les Fermes de Marie, a new concept in luxury lodging: a hamlet composed of nine centuries-old mountain chalets that were dismantled from various alpine locations and reassembled in a 5-acre park that's a lovely 15-minute walk from the village, following a mountain stream.
Rosa Alpina, “the” hotel in the Dolomites. While there are others, none can match the sense of place that you feel as a guest here, where 3 generations of family ownership and management means that every unique detail has been selected by them, and the intimate hands-on service and care offered by the Pizzinini family is totally authentic and second to none.
Gstaad's famously grand – and best-positioned hotel – in its own park in the center of town. New owners Daniel Koetser and his interior-designer wife Davia bought and transformed the historic landmark, reopening in December 2013 with a unique style that feels like a luxury country-house, filled with bespoke furniture from Scandinavia, London, Antwerp and beyond. Original features such as parquet floors and vaulted ceilings have been retained, while adding a fresh and modern edge. A 2500m2 spa, and Michelin-starred dining round out this unique and refined property. The world’s largest Chesterfield sofa in the Bar is our favorite chill-out spot, and don’t miss their epic take on the Rueben sandwich, most likely Switzerland’s best!
Links
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Neiges D’Antan 3*+, Cervinia
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Mont Cervin Palace 5*, Zermatt
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The Omnia 5*, Zermatt
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Off-Piste Skiing Zermatt/Cervinia
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Cordée des Alpes 4*+, Verbier
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Barrière les Neiges 5*, Courchevel
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Hameau Albert 1er 5*, Chamonix
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Fermes de Marie 5*, Megève
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Rosa Alpina 5*, San Cassiano
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Le Grand Bellevue 5*, Gstaad
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Experience options in: Zermatt
WHAT WE DO
Epic Europe is a luxury experiential adventure travel operator based in the Swiss Alps.
Epic Europe specializes in private bespoke itineraries for small groups. Experiencing the best of each region, from interacting with the local people and enjoying authentic regional food and wine, as well as time-honored traditions and festivals, to recreating in the alpine landscape, and truly understanding why the Alps are the birthplace of adventure travel. From custom ski, hiking, or cycling trips to building in city tours, cultural itineraries, or gastronomic discovery, these award-winning, multi-dimensional trips are tailored to our clients' wishes every time, and are not packaged tours. From Switzerland, Italy, and France's Alps, to world-class cultural cities and larger towns, Epic Europe can design a tailored adventure that fulfills your every need.
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"A day of heliskiing in Italy culminated with a sunset run off the Breuil saddle of the Matterhorn - one of the most thrilling runs of my life - and we left our tracks in a place where they remained for a week afterward, reminding us of the best day of skiing in our life!" - WG, CT USA
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"I would have to say that Verbier and Zermatt might be the best places I have ever ridden a mountain bike, and I couldn't imagine going without the help of Epic Europe's guides. It was a dream trip for sure." - B.S., PA USA
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“The team at Epic Europe created the most incredible trip for us, where everything came together seamlessly, and we never had to think about what came next - it just magically happened as if it was meant to be. That takes real talent, and they make it look easy." - B.N., WY USA
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"Hiking in the Alps has always been on my bucket list, but I wasn't sure that a typical trip was my style. Epic Europe designed a custom route for our group, staying in the best little inns and hotels, and we felt like we had the trails to ourselves. I will come back again and again to explore new trails with their guides every year that I can!" - R.B., NY USA
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"Epic Europe has coordinated several corporate events for us over the past 5 years, and I cannot imagine a more professional operation to handle all of the details. From a team-building event for 50 people in a 17th-century castle atop a mountain pass, to marketing conferences and catalog shoots, their knowledge of the best locations in the Alps is second-to-none, and they are as good as it gets at being creative." - E.P., Lugano CH
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"I have done trips in the Alps and surrounding regions with Epic Europe for the past 4 years, and every one has been unique and surpassed the last. The experiences that they deliver due to their personal relationships are a window into the real life in these incredible locations, and they share these friendships with us." - K.B., CT USA
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"Epic Europe's custom road biking trip that they put together for my buddy's bachelor party was great - the right combination of killer rides, great hotels, and outstanding restaurants. Great guides, and overall a perfect trip." - A.S., London UK
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"Our family spent last Christmas in Zermatt on a bespoke Epic Europe ski trip. The special thought and care that they put into our holiday made it our best yet." - L.M.; CA USA
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