40 Best ski hotels & resorts in Europe

When it comes to location, Hotel Mirabeau takes some beating – guests can walk to Verbier’s main ski lift, the Medran, in under two minutes (in ski boots). Hotels in Verbier normally charge through the roof for that sort of convenience, making this great-value, B&B-style hotel a real gem. A great-value, B&B-style hotel just two minutes’ walk from Verbier’s main cable car.

The number of return guests to the Mirabeau is testament to its service – nothing is too much trouble for the staff, who can be described as ‘hosts’ for their hospitality. If budget allows, upgrade to one of the south-facing rooms that have balconies with lovely mountain views.

The childhood home of owner Evelyn Ikrath (who, together with her architect husband, also owns the Hotel Miramonte, a short walk away), this 1920s spa hotel has recently undergone a stylish revamp. Despite its slick and elegant interiors (the work of Japanese interior designer Elma Choung), Haus Hirt still manages to feel informal and friendly – children are welcomed.

Guests enjoy the library filled with art and design books, and the modest yet sublime Aveda spa. The indoor pool is framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, boasting spectacular views of the Bad Gastein valley.

Quirky, fun and with hardly a right angle in sight – welcome to the Hotel des Dromonts. The eclectic design is 1960 meets 2050 – retro yet futuristic (with lots of curves).  You can’t get more central when exploring the Portes du Soleil – skiing is from the front door, making this an ideal choice for beginners or families.

Guests can choose from an assortment of rooms, from pod-like dens with built-in furniture, to family suites. There are two highly-rated restaurants plus a small wellness area – the relaxation room, with its suspended, cocoon-like armchairs, is the ultimate post-ski, chill-out space.

With its chic, utilitarian design, this trendy boutique hotel feels like it has been transported from the slopes of Scandinavia. But make no mistake, you’re right in the heart of France’s extreme skiing capital. Housed in a modest townhouse, some of the rooms are on the smaller side, but they are all perfectly comfortable and cozy.

Besides, guests spend most of their time in the charming lounge, where homemade cakes and hot drinks await after a day’s skiing, and in the hot tub. There’s no restaurant, but plenty of cafes, bars and eateries within strolling distance. Access to the Brévent slopes is via the Savoy ski lift, less than five minutes away on foot.

Elegant, hip and full of character – this is what makes the Eden Hotel so popular among regulars to Bormio.

Housed in a striking wood, glass and stone building, the hotel was designed by a team of award-winning, Milan-based architects. Guests love the ginormous bedrooms, which swallow up ski clothes and kit.

Esteemed Neapolitan chef Antonio Borruso is in charge of the food; breakfast is a smorgasbord of homemade breads, desserts and cheeses, while suppers consist of refined Alpine dishes served at Restaurant Umami. The hotel is in a prime location, in the historic hamlet of Bormio, 100m from the Bormio-2000 cable car.

The Eden’s quiet location in Les Praz is ideal for accessing Le Flegere lift – a few minutes’ walk away – and offers fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel belies its three-star rating with simple but comfortable rooms, a homely atmosphere and a very well-regarded restaurant.

There’s a simple, nature-focused, heart-of-the-mountains ambience about the place, helped by the regular exhibitions of mountain artwork. Two kilometres outside Chamonix’s centre, it’s easily reached by taxi, bus and train, making it a great location for keen and/or sporty skiers who don’t need to party every night, and mountain lovers, who will feel right at home amongst fellow aficionados.

There are five-star ski hotels aplenty – but there’s only one Riffelalp.

Set in a small hamlet 2,200m up the mountain, above the town of Zermatt, it’s an isolated spot, but one that’s worth the (exciting) ride up (by train, then snowmobile), and one you won’t want to leave.

As you would expect from a five star, it comes with the usual complement of beautifully appointed, cosy bedrooms, fine dining, and exceptional spa facilities, making any stay an extremely comfortable one.

What really sets it apart is the jaw-dropping view over the magnificent Matterhorn – best appreciated from the steamingly warm inside/out pool.

It’s great for families, with plenty for the kids. There are other thrilling activities on offer, if you tire of skiing (or come in summer).

And given the location, it is of course ski in ski out that makes slope access so wonderfully quick and easy. Everything you need can be rented on site too.

This is one of the most authentic hotels in the high Alps, with great style, killer views and an adventurous spirit.

Built in the 1880s to provide accommodation for mountaineers exploring Europe’s highest peaks, the building was recently modernized by high-end hotel company Maisons et Hotels Sibuet. Located at 1,913m, it’s tricky to reach – you have to go on foot (or skis), or catch a funicular railway from Chamonix (taking 20 minutes), which only runs in the daytime. This does mean, though, that guests have the refuge – and the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and glistening blue Mer du Glace glacier – to themselves at all other times.

East- and west-facing terraces catch the sun throughout the day, and the plain but comfortable rooms look out onto the Chamonix valley way below.

Although boasting every comfort, Le Samovar has the atmosphere of an old-fashioned ski hotel. Heavily timbered, inside and out, each room has its own individual character – as do the staff. The restaurant serves up traditional mountain specialties, while the fire-lit bar lounge has take-away options for a more relaxed supper.

Set in La Daille, a little outside Val d’Isère proper, the hotel is in a great location for those happy to be away from the busy hub of activity. It boasts a ski-in/ski-out location – it’s right by the slopes and directly opposite the Funival mountain railway up to Bellevarde.

Set in the handiest location in St. Anton, right beside the main gondola lift up to Galzig, the Bergschlossl is a beautiful, turreted old village home converted into a small, boutique hotel.

It manages to combine Alpine charm and romantic cosiness with modern comfort, flair and style. Each room is individual in size, shape, décor and furnishing – and accommodation is flexible enough for groups or families.

The hotel is only a minute or two from the bars and restaurants of the village centre – but set just apart, so is amazingly tranquil at night, away from any village noise.

The service is good too. Give the hotel your details in advance and they will have rented ski gear delivered from nearby Intersport Arlberg, and organise ski passes in advance for you too.

Centrally located – but with great views of the surrounding mountains – Le Hameau Albert 1er is a classic, century-old hotel with a rustic-style farmhouse and two bijoux chalets to stay in. It mixes traditional Alpine looks with contemporary exterior and interior styling to create a hip-but-relaxed mountain vibe.

Excellent dining options include a two-star Michelin restaurant and the more rustically styled La Maison Carrier farmhouse restaurant. Meanwhile the spa (which is open to the public as a day spa, too) features an indoor-outdoor pool with incredible views of Mont Blanc.

This chic yet cosy boutique hotel is located in the small, under-the-radar village of Chandolin, famous for being one of Europe’s highest villages – with views that are, predictably, pretty special. In fact, it could be said that there’s no hot tub in the Alps with a view to match that of the Chandolin. For a room with a stellar view, request one that’s south-facing.

The restaurant is a highlight, serving wholesome food with finesse, and an excellent cheeseboard.  Guests can ski directly back to the hotel, or take the two-minute free shuttle bus to and from the lift.

This family-owned hotel has just 13 suites, giving it a cosy and exclusive feel. Located in the centre of Selva Gardena, it offers easy access to the local shops and ski lifts (ask owner Alex to show you the hidden path where you can ski back almost directly to the hotel).

The hotel’s gourmet restaurant, Stevia, brings back guests year after year, with a different theme each evening, offering everything from Italian classics to cheese buffets and olive oil tastings. The spa is the ultimate in indulgence, with indoor heated pool, sauna, multi-sensory showers and an outdoor hot tub with mountain views.

Les Gets is the ultimate family ski resort, boasting numerous top-rated family chalets and hotels; the centrally-located Chamois D’Or is up there with the best of them. The clean, urban design is softened with Alpine touches – a wood-framed bar, fake fur throws on the beds – creating a slick but comfortable feel.

It keeps little guests happy with bunk beds, a games room and chefs who are happy to adapt the restaurant menus to suit kids’ palates. For older and more adventurous children, there’s the newly-opened Indian restaurant, Baaji; meanwhile parents are ensured some R&R in the spa (children welcome) and cosy bar, which serves up craft beers and a wide range of gins.

Located right beside the slopes in Courchevel 1850 and with easy access to the resort’s main lifts, the rustic-chic Chabichou is a luxurious family-run hotel with an attractive white exterior and traditional alpine interior.

Large, well-appointed rooms have a cosy alpine feel; there’s a two Michelin-starred restaurant to dine in, and a spa – though access to this and the fitness centre isn’t included in your pretty hefty room price. Nevertheless, there’s a wonderfully friendly atmosphere created by the owners and staff, and families are given a very warm welcome.

The Chabichou is well located for accessing all the main pistes in Courchevel 1850, and it’s also within easy walking distance of the village centre. There’s the buzz of happy skiers schussing past the hotel during the day, but it’s peaceful at night, and the glorious restaurant means you’ll be tempted to dine in.

Zermatt is home to some of the most highly-rated, five-star hotels in the world, and The Omnia is one of the most outstanding.

The location is exceptional – the hotel is perched high on a rocky ledge above the town. Guests enter via a Bond-esque underground tunnel, which leads to panoramic glass elevators that whisks them up to the lobby.

Rooms are sophisticated and spacious, and some boast views of the Matterhorn from their balcony, with more stunning vistas from the indoor-outdoor swimming pool.

Run by the welcoming Pezzei family, this hotel goes above and beyond for guests – nothing is too much trouble.

Italians take their food very seriously, as does Col Alto; at breakfast, there is a vast buffet, with omelettes and crepes made to order at the egg station. One night a week, the restaurant lays on a four-course, Ladin-themed dinner, to introduce guests to the local cuisine. The spa is also a highlight, with a herbal bath and salt steam grotto.

The hotel is a short walk from the slopes, and it’s possible to ski back to the door at the end of the day.

There are two things that make the Cambrian stand out; the slick design and the outstanding views.

The 19th-century ski lodge, set high on a hill in the centre of Adelboden, has been transformed into a slick spa hotel, using local stone, wood and slate. The lounge, winter garden, restaurant and outdoor pool have all been designed to showcase the very best of the views that stretch out across the wide mountain valley. Be sure to request a south-facing panorama bedroom for the best balcony views.

The restaurant serves local and healthy Ottolenghi-inspired cuisine, with lots of platters for sharing.

Located in the shadow of the majestic Mont Blanc, this hotel is a masterpiece of contemporary Italian design; think industrial-chic lighting, tree-trunk bedside tables and stags’ heads adorning the walls.

The double-height, glass-clad restaurant serves up local, inventive and immaculately-styled cuisine; for something more casual, there’s a bistro serving up wood-fired pizzas.

Guests are ensured a good night’s sleep thanks to Hastern’s beds and wake to a lavish buffet that’s heaven for sweet-toothed guests, with its array of honeys, james, pastries and cakes.

Viennese architect Ike Ikrath (who, together with his wife, also owns the Haus Hirt down the hill), has managed to create a hotel with both the charm of a traditional Alpine chalet and the flair of a high-design hotel. Rooms have a retro feel, with 50’s style chairs and brightly-tiled bathrooms. Panorama rooms have long balconies with sweeping views of the Gastein valley; some also have hammocks, for really soaking up the vista.

For literal soaking, the Aveda spa has therapeutic thermal baths fed straight from Bad Gastein’s healing waters, alongside twice-daily yoga classes. Apres-ski sustenance comes in the form of afternoon tea and four-course dinners, with good vegan options.

The oldest of St. Anton’s 5-star chalets, this is a luxury, boutique hotel a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre, run by the Raffl family with scrupulous attention to detail. Service epitomises Tirolean tradition and hospitality, combining charm with discreet formality.

No two rooms are the same, but all are stylishly presented – mischievously combining rustic Austrian features with bright contemporary furnishings and arty accessories, sometimes including cacti.

The location is superb; just out of the busy main centre but only a couple of minutes’ walk from the action. The hotel has its own ski depot beside the main Galzig gondola – store skis and boots here for free and head straight to the après-ski.

In a village boasting some very special hotels, Les Barmes de l’Ours is one of the most luxurious and exclusive.

Built in Alpine chalet style, it has an unbeatable ski-in ski-out location at the foot of Bellevarde and is a short walk from the village centre. The hotel has different styles on each floor, including an American loft look, stark Scandinavian, rustic Savoyard and contemporary.

The elegant, Michelin-starred La Table d’Ours restaurant sits alongside two less formal restaurants, specialising in rotisserie and Savoyard cuisine. There’s a lovely spa and indoor pool, too.

In a resort filled with five-star accommodation, this chalet-style boutique hotel stands out for its intimate atmosphere and cosy alpine charm. The serene forest setting is 10-minute walk from the 1850 village centre, with direct access to the piste.

This is the ultimate hotel for dog lovers – canine companions are treated to half-board, and can be cared for by the hotel’s team of dog-sitters while their owners hit the slopes. Après-ski cakes and crepes are served in the fire-warmed bar/lounge, while elegant suppers are served in Le 1850 restaurant, with dramatic lighting made from tree branches.

The Dolomites are one of the world’s most dramatic mountain ranges, and this hotel has front-row seats – you get towering, jagged peaks from almost every window. The best place to soak up the vista is from the pool, with huge panoramic windows that make you feel as if you can literally touch the red-tinged peaks at sundown.

If the views are the primary attraction, the food is a close second. Michelin-starred chef Giovanni D’Alitta heads the kitchen, and treats guests to a multi-course gourmet menu. A courtesy minibus service is provided to the main ski lifts during the winter season.

The Chedi Andermatt is located in a beautiful spot at 1,447m, at the crossroads of three mountain passes. Inside is a chic fusion of Alpine and Asian design; wooden beams and roaring log fires alongside Japanese paper lamps and latticework panels.

Guests rave about the immensely comfortable Hastens beds and spacious spa-like bathrooms. The real draw, though, is the hedonistic spa, with its stunning pool housed in a steel-framed glass structure, and Asian-inspired treatments. Complimentary yoga and pilates classes can be booked.

The Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant serves up refined multi-course Kaiseki dinners and has an extensive sake selection.

The ultimate rustic-chic hotel. Nine centuries-old wooden chalets and mazots (outbuildings) were transported from areas of the Savoie and reassembled, beam by beam, into a luxury hotel, just a five-minute walk from Megève’s medieval village centre.

All of the rooms are individually designed and super-cosy, with furry bed throws and plump cushions, and the huge spa boasts two pools – one for children, one for adults.

Ben, the hotel’s charismatic concierge since the hotel’s inception (1989), is on hand to cater to guests’ every whim; ask him to book a table at Traditionnel, one of the hotel’s two restaurants, for the gourmet dinner night where beef ribs and local game are cooked over the huge open fire.

Following a £33 million renovation, this iconic hotel (featured in Sorrentino’s 2015 film Youth) has been restored to its former Belle Epoque glory. Rooms are plush and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing mountain views.

The property’s centrepiece is the state-of-the-art spa, with its indoor pool housed inside a glass cube, showcasing 360-degree panoramic views. The four on-site restaurants, take guests on a gastronomic journey through the Alps, Italy, Lebanon and Thailand.

With just 39 rooms, Tennerhof is the smallest of Kitzbuhel’s five-star hotels. A member of Relais & Chateaux, it strikes a perfect balance of luxury and intimacy – like staying in the private home of a very wealthy aunt. Much of the furniture and antiques in the bedrooms of this former farm belong to the owners, the Pasquali family.

Guests can choose from three restaurants – the gourmet restaurant has won awards for its innovative dishes. The wine is a highlight, too – the Tennerhof’s cellar houses over 400 wines, many of which come from the most esteemed Austrian wineries.

Housed in an iconic building dating from 1864, this is the oldest and largest five-star hotel in St Moritz. Many original features remain, including the beautiful frescoed ceiling and porcelain fireplace in the Enoteca restaurant. The two Michelin-starred Cà d’Oro, which serves creative Mediterranean cuisine, feels just as opulent with its crystal chandeliers.

After skiing, guests retreat to the ginormous spa, which boasts a marble column-flanked indoor pool, as well as various saunas and Kneipp baths. The hotel is situated in St. Moritz-Bad, set back from the edge of Lake St. Moritz – for a glimpse, request a top-floor room.

This hedonistic mountain retreat is housed in a striking all-wood and glass building in a spectacular setting: a 1,800m-high alpine meadow with a backdrop of peaks and pinnacles.

Inspired from the owners’ travels in Namibia, the hotel’s design brings in elements of an African safari lodge, with its airy open-plan spaces, giant viewing windows, and hide rugs and chairs. The spa treatments are highly rated, using natural mountain and African ingredients.

Located at an altitude of 2,551m, in what was originally the upper station of the Solaise gondola, La Refuge claims its place as the highest hotel in France. Reached by skis or gondola, the hotel has chic and spacious family rooms – some overlook the village and valley, others have mountain views.

The views continue in the spa, where the swimming pool and hot tub face the mountains; if guests time their dip right, they’ll catch the spectacular sunset.

There’s a large children’s playroom with a cinema screen, and chef Sergio serves up homemade pizzas in the Italian restaurant. First tracks are guaranteed every morning.

Annapurna is one of those rare 5-star hotels that feels luxurious and exclusive, yet is wholly family-friendly. Little ones are promised plenty of amusement with the kids’ club, while teenagers get their own hang-out room, with a pool table, games consoles, table football and cinema. Parents, meanwhile, can enjoy the beautiful spa (children welcome), with its panoramic mountain views from the hot tub.

Apres-ski cocktails (and mocktails) can be enjoyed in the lively bar, while hearty dinners are served in the Altitude 1900 restaurant, accompanied by a pianist. The location is perfect for families, set at the top of Courchevel 1850, with direct access to the slopes.

Italians have a reputation for loving kids, and this hotel in San Cassiano – housed in a beautiful building dating back to 1850 – is testament to that. Children are warmly welcomed with their own slippers and bathrobes, separate menus in the restaurant, a games room and even a family-friendly spa (there is a separate adults-only spa, too).

Children’s activities can be arranged, from cookery classes to guided tobogganing, and 24-hour babysitting is on offer, to enable parents to enjoy a quiet supper for two at the three-Michelin starred St Hubertus restaurant, renowned for its exquisite ‘Cook the Mountain’ menu.

The perfect base for families who are new to skiing – or simply want a faff-free holiday, there’s a ski rental shop right next to the hotel and the button lifts are just 10m away. The hotel has a children’s playroom with a built-in slide, and offers buffet dinners where kids can indulge at the help-yourself ice-cream station.

The spa (kids welcome) has indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs – guests can pay on entry, or request a room rate that includes spa access.

The location of this four-star hotel is unrivalled; 2,300m elevation, with direct access to Val Thoren’s snow-sure slopes, and just a short ski from the Peclet bubble lift and ski school meeting point. Rooms have a retro-chic vibe, and some have piste views.

The good-sized ski room is a comfy hang-out space, with big sofas, table football and a bar serving excellent coffee and hot chocolate. Upstairs in the snug, guests can refuel on apres-ski crepes in front of the open fire. The slope-side restaurant – with lovely views over the Cime de Caron – has a good kids’ menu.

If it’s apres ski you’re after, there’s a daily ”Sunset Party’ with live DJs playing on the terrace, live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening in the Zinc Bar, and once a month, the ‘Seven Party’, featuring nationally-recognised DJs.

Situated at the top of Forberget Mountain, with skiing from the front door, this is the sort of hotel that families are eager to return to after a day on the slopes. There’s an award-winning spa, with wonderful views of Mount Areskutan from the pool and relaxation area, and a spa treatment menu for kids, with mini facials and massages. There’s also a kids club, offering craft sessions, games, movies and discos.

The restaurant focuses on traditional Nordic dishes and local ingredients. It may be a little upscale for younger members, but there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants nearby.

For families holidaying together, there’s a beautiful 14-room ski lodge that has its own sauna and gym.

Camp Zero is a ski-in ski-out hotel with something of an identity crisis (in the best possible way). It has all the trimmings of a five-star hotel, from the sleek spa and fine-dining restaurant to the super-attentive staff. Yet it’s the ultimate funhouse, with an indoor climbing wall, and a team of on-site experts to offer climbing lessons to all ages.

The hotel’s wild card is its private helipad; Camp Zero has 15 approved heli-skiing landing zones, giving access to areas around Cervinia, Mont Blanc, Zermatt and the highest heli-ski zone in Europe, Lys Pass.

One of La Clusaz’s newest boutique hotels, the St-Alban Hotel & Spa has the feel of a plush English gentleman’s club: guests are welcomed into the wood-panelled lobby with its leather banquettes, velvet footstools, chess boards and shelves stacked with books.

There are more books in the Art Deco bar and bedrooms – in fact, there are some 21,000 books scattered throughout the hotel (ideal for guests keen to practice their French on non-ski days). Down in the basement, the good-sized spa was created in collaboration with French beauty brand Nuxe.

Guests can divide their time between the indoor pool, sauna, Kneipp hydrotherapy jets, ice cave and relaxation room. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the slopes each morning.

This hidden gem of a hotel – a short shuttle bus service from the ski lifts – is for people who value their food as much as their skiing. Run by owners Sandrine and Xavier, who together invent and prepare the meals, it’s thanks to Xavier’s background as a chef (working in several Michelin-starred restaurants) that the food here is so standout. Beautifully presented seasonal and organic (where possible) food is served in a stunning dining room with mountain views.

On certain Saturdays, guests are welcome to join Xavier in the kitchen with a special cooking class. As for the five bedrooms, they all have minimalist Scandi-style decor and balconies overlooking the valley.

A ski hotel run by skiers for skiers, the Ski Lodge Engelberg has earnt itself cult status as one of the friendliest – and coolest – places to stay in town.

Housed in a couple of converted Edwardian houses in the middle of Engelberg, it’s run by two Swedish former ski bums, Eric Spongberg and Niklas Moller, who spent several seasons in the resort before setting up the business in 2009. They (as well as their staff) know the resort like the back of their hands, and are only too happy to give guests advice on where to find the best snow.

The Ski Lodge bar is a popular post-ski meeting place for locals and visitors alike, who gather to refuel on tasty burgers while discussing the best runs of the day.