When thinking of Switzerland, the illustrious ski towns of Interlaken, Lucerne, St. Moritz, and Zermatt may come to mind — and for good reason, since these villages boast some of the best ski resorts, chicest hotels and breathtaking alpine landscapes. While these villages deserve the hype, there are other Swiss mountain and ski towns that travelers should consider on their next trip to Switzerland.
Introducing Arosa, Switzerland: an alpine resort village located at the base of the scenic Swiss Alps in the Schanfigg Valley. Traveling to Arosa from Zurich (this is the best major airport to fly into internationally) requires a Hogwarts-Esque train ride with omnipresent trees (the fall foliage here is a visual treat), staggering mountain peaks, crystal blue lakes, and magical waterfalls that appear outside the car window. Once you debark the train, you see Swiss chalets carved into the mountainside. At the same time, cafes and restaurants line a main winding road — especially during the winter, Arosa and its establishments exude a charming winter wonderland feel.
For a stay that displays Arosa’s unfettered winter-wonderland spirit, the Tschuggen Grand Hotel is “the place to be.” With an aesthetic that makes you feel like you’re in a snow globe, the mountain chalet is tucked into the Swiss Alps and Lenzerheide ski area. The charming hotel boasts a traditional alpine design that’s freckled with modern touches — our favorite example is their hallmark sail-shaped glass structures that unseemly pop out from the snow. Designer Carlo Rampazzi styled each room to reflect a traditional mountain lodge with nature-inspired twists: Guestroom doors are decorated with beautiful floral paintings and make hallways look like art pieces. Plaid-patterned headboards, background plush king-size beds, and floor-to-ceiling windows with vantage points of the Alps make it so you never want to leave your bed.
Expect neutral-toned carpet, leather lounge chairs, and bright-colored marble ceilings ranging from vibrant orange to emerald green, further connecting to Arosa’s colorful natural landscape (spring and summer are green, fall wears orange and red, and winter is snow-white). Adding a layer to the splendor, sizable bathrooms boast heated marble floors, light blue textured walls, rain showers, and luxurious organic toiletries by Swiss beauty brand nooii: mountain pine, bergamot, and cedar wood aromas linger throughout the suites after a calming bath or refreshing rain shower.
When it’s time to relax after a day of hitting the slopes, guests should book a treatment at the Tschuggen Bergoase Spa. Spanning over four floors, the spa boasts multiple saunas, steam baths, treatment rooms, a lounge with a fireplace, and a spacious fitness center. The pièce de résistance, however, is the spa’s architecturally magnificent granite-lined indoor pool giving the space an unparalleled mountain oasis feel.
The newly renovated Grand Restaurant, just off of the hotel lobby offers a European breakfast buffet every morning from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. with heaps of pastries, eggs to order, green juices, coffee, and more. For dinner, opt to dine at the Tschuggen’s two Michelin Star awarded La Brezza, which serves Swiss and Italian-infused cuisine as well as innovative plant-based dishes, or The Basement, a more casual dining experience offering burgers and cocktails (and if you’re up for it, a game of bowling at the on-site bowling alley).
To experience the Swiss Alps to the fullest, plan a trip to Arosa during the season’s opening ski weekend for the Tschuggen’s luxe ski soiree: Private Mountain at Tschuggen Grand Hotel. Guests have exclusive access to the slopes of the Arosa/Lenzerheide resorts, an après ski champagne party, and a unique massage session in the specially set gondola spa. This goes without saying but the Private Mountain party is the perfect way to start the ski season with a bang.
Top Takeaways
Location: Arosa, Switzerland
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: An upscale mountain chalet that boasts traditional alpine style meshed with modern architectural touches in the spa and exterior.
Food + Drink: The newly renovated Grand Restaurant, which is just off of the hotel lobby, offers a European breakfast buffet every morning from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. with loads of pastries, eggs to order, green juices, coffee, and more. For dinner, opt to dine at the Tschuggen’s two Michelin Star awarded La Brezza, which serves Swiss and Italian-infused cuisine as well as innovative plant-based dishes, or The Basement, a casual dining spot with knockout burgers and cocktails.
Property Amenities: Indoor swimming pool; Fitness center; Spa; Ski rental service; Free WiFi; Pet friendly; Bar
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The indoor swimming pool was mesmerizing with its granite-lined walls and crystal blue coloring.
What’s Nearby?: Lenzerheide Ski Area; Bergkirchli; Weisshorn; Untersee Lake; Bullrian; Hörnlihütte Arosa
Any Neighborhood Recs?: The Hörnlihütte Arosa, at the top of the mountain, boasts expansive views of the Swiss Alps from every direction and serves delicious bites for lunch. (We highly recommend the ribs and chips, lasagna served straight from the sizzling skillet, or the homemade chili — it just doesn’t get much better than that for lunch after a morning of skiing.)
Rooms: 128
Starting Nightly Rate: $686
Closest Airport: Zurich Airport (ZRH)
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