Elevate your gaze with these opulent Alpine retreats.

Of course, those of us who have spent the last year imprisoned in cities will never again take for granted vast stretches of open space, a refreshing sea breeze, or pure rural air. And there aren’t many environments that can provide all three as abundantly as a striking mountain range.

Here is a list of the top luxury mountain hotels in Europe for those seeking the ultimate rural getaway complete with breathtaking vistas, cool Alpine breezes, and first-rate amenities.

VALSANA HOTEL, AROSA, SWITZERLAND

Situated in the picturesque Swiss mountain village of Arosa, in the country’s Romansh-speaking area, the Valsana Hotel is an eco-powerhouse that uses recycled energy to reduce its ecological impact to a mere 4% and emits almost no carbon dioxide.

With amazing hiking around the lakes, fly-fishing, wild swimming, horseback riding, and mountain biking for all skill levels, Arosa is the ideal summertime vacation. The Valsana Hotel features its own bike shop, on-site tennis courts, and offers yoga, trail running, and hiking getaways. At the Arosa Rope Park, families and couples can learn to sail on Lake Obersee or swing through the woods.  

Close by, the Arosa Bear Sanctuary is a conservation protection project run in collaboration with the animal welfare organization Four PAWS. It is home to three rescued brown bears.

DAS CENTRAL, SÖLDEN, AUSTRIA

Nestled in the heart of Sölden, high in the Austrian Alps close to the Italian border, is the renowned Das Central, a contemporary Alpine haven. Visitors can take advantage of a variety of picturesque hiking and biking trails in the Ötztal valley, ranging from easy strolls and bike rides through picturesque pasturelands and alpine lakes to strenuous peak conquests and mountain hut tours. AREA 47, the biggest adventure park in Europe, is also located in Sölden. It offers ziplining, wakeboarding, a high ropes course, and white water rafting.

The hotel itself, meanwhile, boasts 125 tastefully decorated rooms, two suites, an opulent presidential suite, and an amazing spa with more than 10 distinct saunas.

At more than 3,000 meters, don’t forget to visit Ice Q, the highest gourmet restaurant in Europe. Renowned for its location in James Bond’s Spectre, the eatery provides breathtaking sweeping views of the mountains spanning Austria, Germany, and Italy.

HOTEL SASSONGHER, CORVARA, ITALY

Located in the center of the glitzy town of Corvara, the hotel Sassongher is the crown jewel of the unique Dolomite mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Situated at the base of Sassongher mountain, mornings can be spent running on picturesque paths while soaking in the expansive vistas. The rooftop sauna and jacuzzi are great places for guests to unwind after a strenuous day of walking. The sauna employs infrared light to soothe muscles and strengthen the immune system.

There is live entertainment every evening at the hotel, and visitors may savor regional specialties in one of three authentic Stubes—one of which is from the sixteenth century.  

The bee trail connects Piz Sorega and Biochem; don’t miss it. Because bees are responsible for one-third of the world’s food production, hiking trails can be made more enjoyable and informative by stopping at five bee stations along an easy hiking path to watch the movement, or “dance,” of the bees. Every station is equipped with a viewing panel and offers details on the native plants and animals that thrive in the Dolomites.

SCHLOSS ELMAU, BAVARIA, GERMANY

Situated at an elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level and about 100 kilometers south of Munich, Schloss Elmau offers six distinct spas, a TCM Health Spa, a yoga center, eight dining options, and a distinctive Cultural Program in its storied music theater.

Reinvigorate yourself in the mountains by going Nordic Walking to Eckbauer, which offers sweeping views of the Alps; you can also go white-water rafting on the Loisach River, jogging beside the gurgling Ferchenbach stream, or swimming in the Geroldsee lake.

Make sure to check out the annual Yoga Summit, which takes place from October 3–8, which is guided by exceptional instructors who are all recognized authorities in the most potent forms of yoga. 

ROSA ALPINA, SAN CASSIANO/ST KASSIAN, ITALY

Rosa Alpina, which is situated in the charming village of San Cassiano, is the ideal location from which to explore the striking mountain ranges in the magnificent Dolomites and their varied landscapes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a summer getaway in the perfect playground of calm valleys, picturesque villages, and rugged peaks. This season, Rosa Alpina will provide summer cycling on the same course taken by the professionals in the Giro d’Italia, along with two extreme mountain sports and rock-climbing getaways.

Guests may retire to the hotel’s opulent glass spa, which boasts floor to ceiling windows and panoramic views of the forest, after a strenuous day of high-altitude sports. Here, they can unwind with massages that use mountain herbs like arnica to relieve sore muscles. 

Cuisine is important in true Italian style; the hotel’s three-star restaurant, St. Hubertus, has received Michelin’s newest honor, a green star, in recognition of its dedication to providing sustainable cuisine. 

SONNWIES, LUSON/LÜSEN, ITALY

Sonnwies, a contemporary family haven, was born out of the Hinteregger family’s 1999 founding as a modest guesthouse on their farm. With seventy completely renovated rooms, this family-only hotel provides ideal lodging for every kind of group. Saunas, hot tubs, fireplaces, and private gardens may be found in a lot of the mountain villas and suites.

Families can choose from a weekly schedule of events that includes culinary courses, guided hikes, picnics in one of the hotel’s mountain huts, sleepovers in the hay barn, and daily wine tastings for adults.

Kids can feed the animals and pick up their morning eggs from the henhouse at the hotel’s original farm. For a flavor of the local way of life, the Hinteregger grandmother offers a hands-on workshop teaching guests how to make cheese and churn butter. 

TSCHUGGEN GRAND HOTEL, AROSA, SWITZERLAND

Arosa’s breathtaking scenery provides comfort and excitement for a summer vacation filled with activities. This Swiss town was first developed as a health resort by German doctors in 1883, and its core philosophy is the healing power of nature on both physical and mental health.

Try your hand at wild swimming in the lakes, go cycling and have a picnic in the hills for lunch, and spend the night above the Weisshorn mountain beneath the stars. The renowned Tschuggen Grand Hotel offers Michelin-starred dining in La Vetta restaurant and a 5,000-square-meter spa created by Mario Botta, providing guests with a peaceful retreat after a strenuous day in the mountains.

Check out the hotel’s unique “Moving Mountain” concept, a comprehensive program to help people rediscover nature. This gorgeous hotel provides visitors a private funicular to ascend the Weisshorn and breathtaking views across the valley from its spacious suites.