Ski and ride all day, party all night, who has time to sleep, right? Check in to any of these snow hotels and I challenge you to ever get out of bed. These luxe hotels were made for apres all day long on someone else’s bank account.
The Chedi Andermatt Switzerland
Aman Resorts golden designer boy, KL based Jean Michel Gathy is a busy boy. This time his design stamp is on rival group The Chedi’s first ski resort hotel in Switzerland. The word here is lush. Lush textures, lush textiles, lush art work, lush vistas and a giant lush wellness spa with hydrothermal pools and a resort pool with fireplaces and floor to ceiling glass for mountain viewing. Rooms come with iPad and free wifi, The Restaurant has the obligatory Michelin starred chef, ski butlers attend to your skiing needs and the hotel even has a private ice rink.
Cheval Blanc Courchevel France
When you’re the chairman and CEO of the LVMH group you can afford to own your own hotel. That hotel is Cheval Blanc in Courchevel 1850. Forgive the giant glass stallion upon arrival and swan right on in to the lobby to check in to one of thirty six rooms and suites and one totally decadent chalet. Photographs on the walls have been commissioned by Karl Lagerfeld dahlink, guest rooms are over the top with textures to alert the senses, the Spa is by Guerlain and Le 1947 is the restaurant one must be appropriately attired for. Lucky for some there is a Dior and Louis Vuitton shop.
W Hotel Verbier Switzerland
Verbier was in for a shock when W came to play. More New York than Swiss chalet, the W in Verbier sports images by Dutch photographer Marcel van der Vlugt and Berline street artists Buff Diss. Expect in room biofuel fireplaces and shag carpets, an in house two Michelin starred chef for fine dining at Arola, W Ski Pass that gives you lift queue priority and DJ mixes at the Off Piste apres bar. If you’re seriously cashed up then try the E-Wow Suite for your own private loft bar but be warned, the bed revolves literally.
Alta Pura Val Thorens France
The neutral tones and touchie touchie textiles of Alta Pura blend with mountain vistas and smooth service. My blood pressure is dropping just writing this. This is luxury done right for the contemporary and the quirky. Two restaurants including raclette and fondue heaven La Laiterie and an outside bar keep the hunger at bay. There’s a Nordic inspired day spa with indoor outoor pool and the entire hotel is hi tech and interactive with Mac Minis in every guest room. One simply need not lift a ski gloved finger.
Hotel La Perla Corvara Italy
An eccentric family run hotel in Alta Badia, Hotel la Perla boasts a Michelin star ski in ski out restaurant from chef Arturo Spicocchi, a four thousand vintage wine cellar, an apres bar to meet Mr or Ms Right Now in, turkish baths, hot tubs, saunas and massage. There’s a kitchen party each week for guests and staff and the entire hotel is run by the second generation of the Costa family at La Perla, three brothers Michil, Mathias and Maximilian. Just call them M for short.
The Little Nell Aspen Colorado USA
No luxe ski hotel list would be complete without the iconic Little Nell in the equally iconic resort town of Aspen. The women (and men) here have faces tight enough for Chad Smith to play on and lined with real fur hats. Throw in a celebrity or twenty (think Trump and McPherson), a dedicated ski valet service and a ski in ski out location that is the most sought after real estate in the look at me town of Aspen. Hungry? The truffle fries at Ajax Tavern are worth slathering on the thighs where they will end up if you don’t ski them off. We’d suggest the degustation at Element 47 but then you’d have to ski or board for at least a week.
Amangani Jackson Wyoming USA
Jackson Hole may be the holy grail for advanced skiers but there’s gold in the hills between the town of Jackson and the famous red tram in Teton Village. That gold is known as Amangani. Think discreet, understated thought out comfort and a level of service more suited to a private leer jet than pointy end of the public plane. Add a touch of western cowboy style, exposed stone and sweeping views of the Teton Range and a private club on the slopes of Jackson Hole for Amangani guests. Did we mention the chauffeur service from resort to mountain club?
St Regis Deer Valley Utah USA
Slopeside fire pits in the exclusive private gated community of Deer Valley, futuristic leather lined funicular from the public road at the Snow Lodge to the hotel lobby, a complimentary hot chocolate bar with sacrilegious toppings and a divine Remede Spa. Need to go into town? The fleet of hotel chauffeurs are at your service.
The Sebastian Vail Colorado USA
It is hard to know where to chill out at The Sebastian. Do you head to the mountainview outdoor heated pool and four hot tubs? Roast marshmallows in the fire pits? Immerse yourself in the heart of the lobby, The Library, with a whiskey and a good book in front of the fire? Sup on a thousand different wines at Leonora tapas bar? Or lose yourself in the impressive collections of original art? I say all of the above.
Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch Colorado USA
Who doesn’t love a snow dog? The Ritz Carlton’s St Bernard, named Bachelor, greets both human and four legged guests in the dog friendly hotel and is available for hire should you be missing Fido back home. Not that you’ll have time with a chairlift outside the ski in ski out front door to Beaver Creek’s impressive uncrowded terrain. Guest rooms boast fire places and Frette linen, there’s a day spa to cocoon in, a new Buffalo bar for bison burgers and Wolfgang Puck has a Spago restaurant in the hotel.
Four Seasons Whistler Canada
In a world of chain brand hotels, Four Seasons rarely gets it wrong. Service at Four Seasons Whistler is beyond impeccable, if you asked them for a jar of snow from Blackcomb glacier they’d get it for you. Decor is all very soothing with limestone and Australian eucalyptus. Dining is relaxed snow chic elegance. Ski concierge treat your ski equipment like their first born and the day spa feels like going back to the womb.
Viceroy Snowmass Colorado USA
When your address is twenty minutes from downtown party town Aspen then you have to up the ante, even in family friendly Snowmass. The Viceroy has outclassed the competition with design decor from Aman Resorts golden boy (again) Jean Michel Gathy including faux furs and fake horns. Nespresso keeps parents happy, iPods and audio visuals keep the kids happy and most rooms come with a full service kitchen. Try Eight K for upmarket dining, Nest for casual sushi or the cafe by the outside heated pool. It is all eco-conscious and user friendly throughout.
QT Falls Creek Victoria Australia
Hot tubs on your private deck (every room has one) are a winning factor in any skier or snowboarder’s mind. At QT Falls Creek you can drive in and hand your keys over to the valet at the road side lobby then ski out the front door to the slopes. That’s another winner. Add Bazaar marketplace dining, the 1950s Stingray cocktail bar and the Kran-Ski Rolls Royce of hot dog stands and SpaQ day spa and I think we’re done.
Matakauri Lodge Queenstown New Zealand
An intimate lake side lodge with discreet service for the seriously wealthy. Views to lose yourself in, bathtubs for two with that view again, daily baked goodies fill Matakauri’s version of a high end mini bar, in room fireplaces and lounges to sink into, stunning dining in the main lodge. Why would you leave?
The Loft Niseko Japan
Philippe Starck’s yoo Design Studio combined with architect Riccardo Tossani to create four modern three bedroom condominiums overlooking Mount Yotei in the popular Hirafu Village. Balconies are large (must be for summer), fittings are of the moment and sustainable plays a design part. There’s a full service concierge and drivers to ensure you arrive dry, warm and on time wherever you so desire.
Disclaimer: @misssnowitall Rachael Oakes-Ash was hosted at Amangani, Matakauri and The Little Nell
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