Europe’s top mountain retreats
Discover the pioneering hotels and ski chalets that care about your wellbeing
We’ve scaled lofty heights across Europe in search of lodges, chalets, and high-altitude hotels that offer nurturing spas, nature-inspired treatments, and healthy outdoor activities – from skiing and snowshoeing to cold-water swimming and forest bathing.
Next level glamping in Wales
The brainchild of two former Shoreditch creatives, this Welsh hideaway comprises 200 acres of rural beauty sandwiched between the river Teifi gorge and the Teifi Marshes’ nature reserve near Cardigan. The Georgian farmhouse, converted hay lofts, geodesic domes, and bespoke shacks are all beautifully envisioned – think solid wood floors and wood burners, thick duvets and Welsh blankets.
Hidden among the trees, you’ll find a small cedar-barrel sauna – the perfect ‘après-sea’ experience after a session of coasteering or kayaking along the nearby coast. The woods, footpaths, boardwalks, and the river gorge allow you to run wild in nature, without a care in the world.
Pod living in the Swiss Alps
An early pioneer of sustainable design, Whitepod’s geodesic domes are comforting cocoons that melt into their alpine surroundings, with panoramic valley views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Perched on wooden platforms at an altitude of 1,400 m, the domes are big on style and low on energy consumption, while the newer cabins were created by Swiss artisans, using only local materials.
Try your hand at boxing, running, and yoga at the Social Cabin – and cool off in the ice room – before taking a leisurely 15-minute stroll to the Whitepod Spa to detox in the sauna and Scandinavian bath, and let yourself be enveloped by soothing treatments. Those in pursuit of more active pastimes will find the Les Portes du Soleil ski region a 35-minute drive away.
Simple mountain pleasures in Austria
Only accessible via cable car, followed by a snowshoe walk or snowmobile transfer, this remote nine-suite mountain hideaway pays homage to the alpine ecosystem, with an emphasis on traditional craftsmanship and local materials. Tradition also reigns in the kitchen, where a real fire heats the stove, while the nature-immersed spa features various heated pools, saunas, and an outdoor waterfall rock shower.
Introducing guests to a simpler way of life, seasonal high-altitude experiences might see you gather wood from the surrounding forests and collect fresh water from a mountain spring – or strap on your skis to make the most of the surrounding Ehrwalder Alm slopes.
Woodland wonder in the Dolomites
Crisp mountain air, pure spring water, and a spa that takes its cues from ancient Celtic customs make for a holistic stay at the carbon-neutral FORESTIS wellness retreat on the southern slope of the Plose mountain. Located in a densely wooded area at 1,800 m above sea level, the former royal sanatorium taps into the region’s earliest wellness traditions, with regenerative treatments, indoor and outdoor pools, and wyda (Celtic breathing and movement).
The wood- and glass-ensconced suites open up to spectacular views of the Dolomites, and the cuisine stars freshly foraged ingredients. Looking for total privacy? The restored exclusive-use villa sleeps up to 10 and comes with its own private chef, concierge, and spa.
Me-time in the mountains
The picture-perfect Les Fermes de Marie mountain refuge in Megève is set in a small hamlet of centuries-old mountain farms. Built from recycled farm timbers, the nine interconnecting chalets house 70 rustic rooms, with snow-covered roofs and wood-scented interiors creating a perfect alpine setting.
Following a day on the slopes, retreat to Pure Altitude – founded more than 30 years ago, this pioneering mountain spa is a wellness haven with indoor pools, whirlpool baths, steam rooms, saunas, Japanese baths, and a birchwood-clad relaxation room. The signature herbal treatments use Jocelyne Sibuet’s edelweiss-inspired skincare brand, with a range of wellness retreat programmes created for a reinvigorating self-care stay.