ON TOP OF THE WORLD: 10 LUXURY MOUNTAIN HOTELS THAT YOU HAVE TO VISIT!

As most of you have probably figured out by now I’m obsessed with the mountains. I love them so much that I moved my family to Telluride, Colorado 5 1/2 years ago. No matter what the season, the majesty of the highest peaks thrills me. There are endless adventures at the ready, every single day. Whether you visit the mountains in the winter, spring, summer or fall…you are guaranteed a life changing experience. These mountain getaways are some of the finest out there. Hopefully you too can soon visit these 10 Luxury Mountain Hotels That You Have to Visit!

Chateau Lake Louise: Alberta, Canada

A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, I was attending the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. I was blown away by the views, hiking, impeccable service and the rustic mountain cuisine. My spacious suite was high in the sky and overlooked the the majestic Victoria Glacier and glistening lake. This premier hotel is located in glorious Alberta Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a year round luxury mountain resort, so plenty of seasonal opportunities for you to book a stay.

Amankora: Himalayas, Bhutan

Tucked away in the the glorious Kingdom of Bhutan  you can find the lodges of Amankora (part of the uber chic Aman resort collection.) With open plan accomodations, you will feel at one with the beautiful natural surroundings. The cuisine is a mix of Bhutanese, Western and India dishes. There are 5 lodges spread across the country…72 suites total. You can stay in one lodge or sample a few, when you book they can custom tailor your trip preferences. Aman resorts are know for their wellness programs, at this location services & treatments vibe perfectly with Buddhist and mountain traditions.

Gstaad Palace: Gstaad, Switzerland

The elegance of Switzerland always swoons and beckons me back for a visit. Gstaad is an iconic ski resort with the Palace being the crown jewel…surrounded by the glorious Swiss Alps. The resort has all the amenities a 5-star resort has to have and then some. This is Swiss perfection at it’s finest. The guest rooms and service will have you feeling like royalty. There are indoor and outdoor pool options (outdoor is open in the warmer months)  and a very well appointed 1,800 square meter spa.

La Perla: Corvara Alta Baldia, Italy

I visited Hotel La Perla a few years ago when I went on a trekking tour of the Italian Dolomites with the Ryder-Walker tour specialists. The entire trip was epic and spending a few nights at La Perla was definitely a highlight. Nestled next to the Dolomite Superski area and tucked into the beautiful Tyrolean town of Corvara.

My room was gorgeous, decorated thoughtfully with antiques and a mix of modern amenities. This is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, so standards are set at the highest rank. I enjoyed a massage at their spa & I would highly recommend you make this a part of your stay too. Dine at the hotel restaurant as much as you can. The food is locally sourced & delicious, there is a beautiful garden on the property. We celebrated my birthday there, which was an unforgettable treat.

Hotel Jagdhof: Stubaital, Tyrol, Austria

This Relais & Chateaux spa-hotel is surrounded by the tallest, most picturesque mountains in Austria. The hills are alive here no matter what the season! Located in the Stubai Valley, this family run hotel takes great pride in their genuine Tyrolean hospitality. The JSPA is 3000 square meters dedicated to wellness. The hotel’s Vitality World offers 20 different bathing, relaxation and sauna experiences. This is something no one should ever pass up!.

Badrutt’s Palace: St. Moritz, Switzerland

St. Moritz is the epitome of Swiss luxury and Badrutt’s Palace is the most iconic hotel in the area. This was the first resort in St. Moritz, built as Mr. Badrutt’s place to entertain his friends in the summer. After seeing how the winter was just as fun as the summer, he invited everyone back. This launched winter sports & skiing in St. Moritz. The rooms & suites are old world glamour with modern amenities. Your luxurious comfort is their first priority. There are eight Palace-Restaurants, three bars the King’s Club (a nightclub) and a giant wellness and sports center. There is also an indoor & outdoor pool. You don’t even need to leave the hotel! But you will certainly want to take in all the Engadin valley has to offer, so stepping out will happen at some point!

Blanket Bay: Glenorchy, Otago, New Zealand

They call this the ultimate alpine escape for so many reasons…first of all, while at this rustic-luxe mountain escape you can fulfill so many adventurous dreams. You are just moments away from fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, heli-skiing, golf and a special wine and arts trail. Enjoy the award winning New Zealand wine grown in the Otago region both at the hotel and on the trail tour. There is a fine dining restaurant and beautiful spa with heated lap pool.

You can also charter a private helicopter tour to spectacular Milford Sound and Fiordland. You embark on this two hour helicopter experience on the lawns of Blanket Bay. They will show you the best of everything, from the highest peak, Mt Tutoko, to the coastal fiords and glaciers to waterfalls.

The Little Nell: Aspen, Colorado

If you want the very best of Aspen, Colorado then book a stay at The Little Nell. Located slopeside on Ajax mountain, this hotel will cater to your every need. I have stayed there a couple of times and now I feel like family every time I return. The staff is so attentive, always greeting you by name and anticipating everything you could ever want. I even brought my two dogs Moose and Bo this winter and they were treated like royalty! Rooms are spacious, beautifully designed and super comfy. There is plenty of closets to bring a big wardrobe which you might want for the glitzy Aspen scene. The hotel is steps from the finest boutiques & restaurants.

There are two restaurants in the hotel: Ajax Tavern (slopeside) and Element 47. Be sure to experience both of them. Dishes are creative and ingredients are locally sourced. These are the places to be seen & to fill up your belly before or after a big outdoor adventure.

Arakur Ushuaia: Southern Patagonia (South America)

They say a visit here will be etched in the memory of it’s visitors…one glance at their website and you will see why! The hotel is designed with sustainable resources and architectural design that showcases nature. Arakur Ushuaia is situated 800 feet above sea level, surrounded by stunning panoramic views, native forests, natural terraces and green areas harmoniously integrated into the environment. You can enjoy Argentine and international meals at the restaurant “La Cravia”, there is also a piano bar that highlights flavors from Tierra del Fuego and a pool bar. Rooms are contemporary, light and bright.

Arakur Ushuaia is located inside the Natural Reserve and close to Mount Alarkén’s summit. This is a dream location for nature lovers and explorers. You can reserve a guide trekking tour, wildlife watching and photo tours. In the Southern hemisphere winter, there is skiing close by at Cerro Castor.

Altapura: Val Thorens, France 

Last but certainly not least we need to venture to the French Alps. Book an ultimate mountain getaway at Altapura in Val Thorens. Situated slopeside, this 5-star retreat is located in the famous French Les Trois Vallées, the highest altitude ski resort in Europe. This is also the largest ski are in the world…so it’s safe to assume you will be kept very entertained! They call this hotel a Ski Palace, designed in a beautifully appointed nordic style. You might never want to leave this cozy mountain cocoon…but then again the great outdoors awaits! Check out their Cocooning Suite for the ultimate mountain luxury.

In your room & at the spa you will find my favorite bath and beauty products by Pure Altitude (the spa is the same name) The wellness center combines pale wood paneling and ice blue glass blocks that echo the color scheme of the alpine slopes, pure tranquility! Something you can’t miss when there: Head to the “Nordic spiral”, a course alternating wet and dry heat, punctuated with waterfall showers and ending in the Ice Igloo.

The entire hotel collection by Maisons & Hotels Sibuet is very impressive. It’s on my bucket list to stay at all of them…starting at Val Thorens.