Okay, hear us out: a winter getaway might just be the most romantic trip you can take. For starters, there are the snow-covered views and crackling fireplaces, not to mention the fact that staying in all day suddenly feels like a perfectly acceptable way to spend your vacation. And while we love a honeymoon somewhere warm, there's something particularly romantic about escaping to a chalet tucked away in the mountains, especially when the hotel itself is reason enough to make the trip.
Of course, a great mountain resort has more to offer than beautiful interiors. For serious skiers, that might mean excellent ski programs and ski-in/ski-out access, with a little après-ski thrown in for good measure. So whether you're an avid skier or simply love the idea of escaping somewhere snowy, we've rounded up 15 of the most romantic winter resorts around the world that make a convincing case for trading the beach for the mountains.
Aman Rosa Alpina
There are certain hotels where the name alone tells you you're in for something special. Aman is one of them, and its Dolomites retreat, Rosa Alpina, makes a pretty convincing case for why. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Italian Dolomites, the hotel recently underwent an extensive renovation, bringing Aman's signature minimalist aesthetic to a property that still feels very much rooted in its Alpine surroundings. With just 51 rooms and suites, there's an intimate feel to the place, though the dining options are anything but limited. And while the surrounding mountains offer plenty of skiing, we’d argue one of the biggest draws is the spa. This is Aman, after all. With seven treatment rooms and three swimming pools, it's exactly the sort of place you could happily lose an entire afternoon. Then again, it's an Aman spa, so we'd expect nothing less.
Le Coucou Méribel
For design lovers, Le Coucou Méribel might be one of the most interesting places to stay in the French Alps. Located in Méribel, this five-star ski-in/ski-out hotel is a far cry from the traditional Alpine chalet, thanks to French designer Pierre Yovanovitch, who took a decidedly more playful approach to the interiors. Think sculptural furniture, unexpected pops of color, and contemporary art that makes practically every corner worth photographing. And somehow, it still manages to feel wonderfully cozy. There are 55 rooms and suites, plus two private chalets for anyone traveling with a larger group, all with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The dining is equally impressive, with Beefbar for steak lovers and Biancaneve serving Italian favorites. Though we'd be particularly tempted by the Tata Harper Spa, where the heated indoor-outdoor pool overlooks the snowy landscape. Between the hotel's design and the mountain setting, it's a pretty compelling reason to book a trip to Méribel.
Rosewood Courchevel
Courchevel has never exactly been short on luxury hotels, but the Rosewood Courchevel arrival in the French Alps gives us another very good reason to visit. With 51 rooms and suites, the property has all the makings of an exceptionally chic mountain retreat, though serious skiers will be particularly pleased with the location. There's direct ski-in/ski-out access to Les Trois Vallées, and a dedicated ski concierge team can handle everything from equipment rentals to arranging lessons. So even if you're relatively new to skiing, you're in good hands. And once you've had enough of the slopes, there's Salto, the hotel's Italian-inspired restaurant, where the panoramic terrace makes a strong case for a leisurely lunch. Or you could head straight to the Asaya Spa. It's a Rosewood, after all, and we'd expect a little indulgence.
Eriro
Sorry, kids, this one's not for you. Tucked high in the Austrian Alps, Eriro is an adults-only retreat that feels particularly well suited to a honeymoon or a romantic escape where a little peace and quiet is the whole point. Sitting 1,550 meters above sea level in Ehrwald, the intimate hideaway takes much of its design inspiration from the surrounding landscape, with minimalist interiors that feel like a natural extension of the mountains outside. There's an emphasis on simplicity here, though certainly not at the expense of luxury. And for anyone hoping to get some skiing in, the slopes are practically on your doorstep, with ski-in/ski-out access directly from the property. It's the sort of place where being a little removed from everything else is very much part of the appeal.
Airelles Val d'Isère
If your idea of a romantic winter escape involves a hotel that looks like something out of a storybook, Airelles Val d'Isère should be on your radar. Sitting at 1,800 meters in the French Alps, the property takes its inspiration from an old-world Alpine castle, with just 41 rooms and suites giving it a more intimate feel than some of its neighbors. Its location is particularly impressive, even by Val d'Isère standards. You can quite literally clip into your skis outside the hotel and head straight onto the slopes, with access to some 300 kilometers of ski trails. But perhaps the biggest luxury is how little reason you have to leave once you're back. There's a Guerlain Spa, several excellent restaurants, including Matsuhisa for Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, and even pastries by celebrated French pastry chef Cédric Grolet. Yes, that Cédric Grolet. We'd say a post-ski pastry is a perfectly reasonable reward for a morning on the mountain.
One&Only Moonlight Basin
If you're familiar with One&Only, you'll know the brand doesn't exactly do things halfway. And its first resort in the United States, One&Only Moonlight Basin, is a pretty unreal introduction. Tucked into the mountains of Big Sky, Montana, the property brings the brand's signature luxurious style to the American wilderness. Scattered throughout the snowy forest are these expertly designed contemporary cabins, where enormous windows frame the mountain views and private hot tubs make staying in particularly tempting. It all feels wonderfully secluded, though for those who take their skiing seriously, you're hardly cut off from the action. A private heated gondola connects guests to Big Sky Resort, making a day on the slopes surprisingly effortless. There's also an impressive spa and several dining options, including a restaurant by celebrated chef Akira Back. Between the remote setting and all those little luxuries, we'd say One&Only has made a rather convincing entrance into the American ski scene.
The Chedi Andermatt
Swiss Alpine charm meets Asian-inspired design at The Chedi Andermatt, and the combination works surprisingly well. Tucked into the mountain village of Andermatt, this five-star retreat takes a decidedly different approach to the traditional ski hotel, with warm wood interiors and an almost meditative atmosphere. Though perhaps our favorite detail is the sheer number of fireplaces. There are more than 200 throughout the property, including one in every guest room, so finding somewhere to cozy up shouldn't be much of a problem. The spa is equally impressive, spanning 2,400 square meters, while a dedicated ski butler team takes care of your equipment before you head out to explore the surrounding mountains. And if skiing isn't on the agenda, the courtyard transforms into an ice rink during winter. Between that and the fireplaces, we can think of far worse places to spend a few days snowed in.
Forestis, Dolomites
There's a good chance you've already come across Forestis on Instagram, even if you didn't know the hotel by name. Perched high in the Italian Dolomites, this striking retreat has become something of a favorite among design lovers, thanks in large part to its extraordinary rooms overlooking the mountains. The architecture is wonderfully minimalist, with floor-to-ceiling glass that makes the surrounding forest feel almost like part of the room. And frankly, we can't think of many things more romantic than waking up to those views without even having to get out of bed. With 62 suites, an impressive spa complete with a hidden forest sauna, and indoor and outdoor pools, there's plenty to appreciate beyond the architecture. Though if you're really looking to make an occasion of it, the penthouse suite has its own private rooftop pool. We'd imagine it's rather difficult to check out of that one.
Badrutt's Palace
Few hotels capture the old-world glamour of St. Moritz quite like Badrutt's Palace. Opened in 1896, the grand, castle-like property has been welcoming some rather notable guests for well over a century, including Coco Chanel. And while plenty has changed since then, the hotel hasn't lost much of its extravagant charm. The dining alone is impressive, with 11 restaurants and bars to choose from, so you could quite literally eat somewhere different every night of your stay. There's also an extensive spa, though what really caught our attention was the transportation. Apparently, guests can be chauffeured around St. Moritz in one of the hotel's Rolls-Royces. Because really, how else would you expect to arrive at a hotel like this?
Juvet Landscape Hotel
If you've ever wanted to experience the Norwegian wilderness without actually having to brave the elements, Juvet Landscape Hotel might be exactly what you're looking for. Hidden away in Valldal, Norway, this rather unusual property consists of just 10 detached rooms, each positioned within the natural landscape to make the most of its surroundings. The architecture is deliberately minimal, with enormous glass walls that almost make you forget there's anything separating you from the forest outside. And that's really the appeal here. You can wake up to a snow-covered wilderness just beyond your bed, with little to distract from the scenery. For couples who love the idea of disappearing into nature for a few days, we'd say this is a pretty special place to do it.
Como Alpina Dolomites
Some people book a mountain getaway for the skiing. Others are far more interested in the spa. At Como Alpina Dolomites, we'd argue there's no reason you can't take both equally seriously. Set in the Italian Dolomites, this contemporary mountain retreat has direct ski-in/ski-out access, so getting onto the slopes couldn't be much easier. All 60 rooms and suites come with private balconies or terraces overlooking the mountains, though the real draw might be Como Shambhala, the brand's renowned wellness program. Here, the approach goes well beyond your typical hotel massage, with personalized therapies and even breathwork sessions designed to help you properly unwind. For a honeymoon that involves a little adventure without sacrificing some serious relaxation, this one makes a lot of sense.
Le Grand Bellevue
Gstaad has long been associated with a certain kind of Alpine luxury, and Le Grand Bellevue fits right in. Dating back to 1912, this grand Swiss hotel has all the charm you'd hope for in a traditional mountain retreat, though there's a playful side to the property, too. Take the spa, for instance. At 3,000 square meters, it's practically a destination in itself, with 17 different wellness experiences to explore. You could easily spend an entire afternoon down there and still not get through everything. Beyond the spa, the hotel has an impressive dining scene, including a particularly glamorous Art Deco bar and a cigar lounge that feels made for lingering over a drink. There's even a private cinema, which we'd argue is a rather appealing alternative to venturing out into the cold.
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Okay, so we've already established that there's something undeniably romantic about a winter getaway, but we'd argue that adding a little Christmas magic into the mix makes it even better. And Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, just outside Salzburg, Austria, might be one of the dreamiest places to experience it. Set in a 15th-century castle on the shores of Lake Fuschl, the property looks like something straight out of a Christmas movie, especially with a fresh layer of snow. You can stay in one of the historic castle rooms, though we're particularly taken with the private lakeside chalets, which come with their own saunas and wood-burning fireplaces. There's also a heated outdoor infinity pool overlooking the lake, which sounds like a pretty wonderful way to spend a winter afternoon. And if you're visiting during the holidays, Salzburg's famous Christmas markets are roughly half an hour away. Between the castle and the festive surroundings, it's hard to imagine a more atmospheric place to spend a few days in December.
Cheval Blanc Courchevel
Don't let the boutique size fool you. With just 36 rooms, Cheval Blanc Courchevel might be one of the more intimate properties in the French Alps, but anyone familiar with the Cheval Blanc name knows that luxury is hardly in short supply. The hotel has direct ski-in/ski-out access, complete with dedicated ski butlers who take care of your equipment and even warm your boots before you head out. Yes, warm your boots. It's the sort of detail you don't necessarily know you need until someone offers it. And the indulgence doesn't stop when you come off the mountain. The dining is a major attraction here, particularly Le 1947, the hotel's celebrated Michelin-starred restaurant. Between the skiing and the food, we'd say they've made a rather convincing case for spending a few days in Courchevel.
The Brecon
Hear us out, we know that all-inclusive hotels don't always have the most glamorous reputation, but The Brecon in Adelboden, Switzerland, will change your mind. Set in a beautifully restored 1914 building in the Bernese Oberland mountains, this adults-only boutique retreat takes a different approach to the traditional Alpine hotel. The interiors are a midcentury modernist dream, with rich wood finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of those incredible mountain views. But what really sets the property apart is its approach to all-inclusive luxury. Forget the buffet lines. Here, we're talking free-flowing champagne and four-course dinners served in an intimate setting. There's also a sensory spa, though we'd argue the real highlight is the heated outdoor pool. Floating in warm water while the snow falls around you, with the Swiss Alps as your backdrop? We'd say that's a pretty good way to spend a winter afternoon.
