With the ski season firmly upon us, hotel comparison website trivago.co.uk has compiled a list of ten luxurious ski hotels.
Not only do these hotels boast direct access to some of the world's best ski pistes, but many offer personalised services such as a ski valet and onsite ski rental, in order to maximise visitors' time on the slopes. In the evenings, guests can expect world-class spas, gourmet dining, extensive wine lists and the utmost comfort in their state-of-the-art guest rooms. These hotels range from 200-year-old traditional ski chalets to modern design hotels, all surrounded by breath-taking peaks and Alpine panoramas. From renowned resorts such as Colorado's Aspen and Austria's Kitzbühel to lesser-known gems in Italy and Switzerland, each of these hotels promises elegance and impeccable service.
1) St. Regis Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado, USA
The St. Regis Aspen Resort is a magnificent mountainside manor boasting a superior location within walking distance of Aspen's famed ski slopes. Guests receive a complimentary ski pass when booking three nights or more, meaning they can enjoy the highest concentration of ski areas in Colorado. The resort is furnished to the highest standard, with guest rooms containing antiqued oak flooring, leather beds, Ralph Lauren desks, marble bathrooms and mountain views. The cuisine is also unrivalled, with three premier restaurants featuring carefully selected seasonal ingredients and an extensive wine list.
2) Cristallo Spa & Golf, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomiti, Italy
Cristallo Spa & Golf is the only 5 star hotel in the picturesque Dolomites mountain range, ideally located just two hours from Venice in the exclusive town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. This elegant hotel has been welcoming the international elite since 1901 and is renowned for its combination of privacy and luxury. Guests can expect hand-painted wall panels, embroidered carpets and silk bedcovers combined with state-of-the-art technology, hydro-massage Jacuzzi bathtubs and breath-taking mountain or valley views from their guest rooms. Cortina is part of the Dolomiti Superski region, boasting access to an impressive 450 ski lifts and 1,200 kilometres of ski runs.
3) Les Airelles, Courchevel, France
Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles combines grandeur with tradition as a picture-perfect ski chalet, nestled in the wooded Jardin Alpin in Courchevel 1850. This luxury mountain hotel boasts a slope-side location with access to Les Trois Vallées, famed as the largest ski area in the world. Guests can enjoy use of the ski room, ski technician and ski valet service to maximise their time on the slopes. Les Airelles provides après-ski at its finest, with a lounge, library, fireplaces and selection of the finest liqueurs and rarest spirits. Three restaurants operate under the renowned French chef Pierre Gagnaire, boasting traditional and regional specialities.
4) Shackleton Mountain Resort, Sestriere, Italy
Shackleton Mountain Resort prides itself as a tranquil retreat, surrounded by nature and boasting fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. The hotel is comprised of mainly steel and glass, creating a unique landmark in the alpine village of Sestriere and offering light and space throughout the resort. Guests can expect antique furniture, LCD satellite televisions, electronically-controlled temperature settings and hydro-massage bath tubs. The Shackleton prides itself for its innovative cuisine, boasting different menus every night, homemade pasta, locally-sourced herbs and an extensive wine list. Sestriere is part of the Milky Way skiing area, comprising of 400 kilometres of 146 skiable pistes, including floodlit skiing at night.
5) A-ROSA Kitzbühel, Kitzbühel, Austria
Completed in 2005, the five-star A-ROSA Kitzbühel has already won a handful of awards for its luxurious facilities and unrivalled service, including Austria's Leading Lifestyle Resort and Austria's Best Ski Hotel. The castle-like hotel is located in the picturesque Tyrolean mountains, boasting views of the Hahnenkamm peak, host of the annual Alpine Ski World Cup. The 3,000 square-metre SPA-ROSA offers serenity and relaxation after a long day on the slopes, featuring heated indoor and outdoor pools, seven themed saunas and steam rooms, 16 treatment rooms and a rest area complete with waterbeds.
6) Chalet del Sogno, Madonna di Campiglio, Italy
Chalet del Sogno is a charming family-run hotel, nestled in the forest just 25 metres from the Spinale cable car and nearest ski slope. Each of the suites take inspiration from the larches, firs and Swiss pines found in the alpine forests, boasting either wooden floors, wooden panelling or four-poster beds. The hotel boasts a cosy lounge, breakfast room, bar and restaurant run by Chef Lorenzo Minini, featuring seasonal menus with a focus on regional products. Guests can also enjoy the Oasi del Sogno spa, complete with an indoor swimming pool with underwater jets, bio-sauna, beauty centre and massage rooms.
7) The Cambrian, Adelboden, Switzerland
The Cambrian prides itself as a design hotel in a stunning setting, incorporating furnishings from the likes of B&B Italia and Porada with panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. The heart of Adelboden is just 50 metres away and the closest ski lifts within walking distance, giving skiers easy access to the acclaimed slopes of Bernese Oberland. Each of the 71 rooms and suites contain king-size beds, flat screen television, DVD players and complimentary Wi-Fi. The Cambrian boasts a stylish bar for après-ski cocktails, whilst the elegant restaurant specialises in "New Alpine" cuisine: traditional mountain dishes with a modern twist.
8) Grand des Alpes, Chamonix, France
Grand Hotel des Alpes has been a symbol of elegance and fine hospitality in the centre of popular ski resort Chamonix since 1840. The famed 3,800-metre Aiguille du Midi and Mer de Glace, the longest glacier in France, are situated nearby. Skiers can also make use of the ski room, shoe dryer, ski instructor booking service and sale of lift passes directly at the hotel, in order to maximise their time on Chamonix's famed slopes. A number of individually decorated rooms are available, ranging from comfortable double rooms to a 52 square-metre suite with a Jacuzzi sunk on the bedroom floor.
9) Das Central, Solden, Austria
Das Central is the only five star hotel in Solden, ideally situated in the picturesque Ötztal valley, surrounded by over 250 impressive 3,000-metre peaks. Skiers can enjoy over 140 kilometres of quality pistes operated by 35 state-of-the-art ski lifts and gondolas. Guests can expect superior amenities and services at Das Central, including a pillow menu, special mattresses, bathrobe and daily turndown service. The impressive 1,500 square-metre Spa boasts three storeys of 10 different saunas and 16 treatment rooms offering Alpine, Asian and oriental treatments. Wine-lovers will appreciate the 30,000 bottles in Das Central's wine cellar, with a particular focus on matured Austrian wines.
10) Grand Royal e Golf, Courmayeur, Italy
Located at the foot of the renowned Mont Blanc in the heart of historical Courmayeur, Grand Hotel Royal e Golf has been welcoming guests for 200 years. Courmayeur is famed as one of Europe's most popular ski resorts and through Grand Royal guests can try their hand at snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, heli-skiing and much more. The hotel incorporates a leading wellness centre complete with outdoor heated pool, sauna, Turkish bath and a range of treatments, from facials to massages and body rituals. Guests can choose between two restaurants, both focusing on regional specialities and locally sourced products.