Is there a more captivating spectacle in nature than the majestic grandeur of mountains? For almost every culture and religion, these towering peaks—shaped by the collision of tectonic plates and volcanic eruptions—represent transformation and the divine.
The Cōmodo in Austria
Historical spa towns in the Alps, once popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries as healing retreats, are experiencing a renaissance. Bad Gastein in Austria has seen a surge in hotel developments, including the retro-chic The Cōmodo and the luxurious Straubinger Grand Hotel.
The Grand Hotel Belvedere, a 1912 Art Nouveau masterpiece nestled in the Swiss Bernese Highlands, reopened this past fall after a two-year renovation. Featuring 90 rooms and suites, it overlooks the stunning Lauterbrunnen Valley. Guests are transported by a cog railway that winds through the mountains to the car-free village of Wengen, where the Belvedere is located.
In the nearby village of Adelboden, The Brecon, a 22-room luxury inn and spa, opened in a traditional 1940s chalet-style building. Designed by Amsterdam-based Nicemakers, the hotel combines vintage charm with contemporary flair, making it equally inviting in summer as it is during ski season.
The Brecon in Switzerland
For those seeking a summer adventure, head to northern Norway, where the sun doesn’t set for weeks during the warmer months. At the new Wood Hotel Bodø, perched near the summit of Mount Rønvik, guests can hike a network of trails even at midnight. For those who prefer to take in the views with a drink, the 177-room lodge boasts a terrace with a bar and a heated pool.
Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll in Iceland
For a more adventurous mountain getaway, consider Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll in Iceland. Set in the volcanic Kerlingarfjöll mountain range, the area features lava formations that locals claim are giants turned to stone. This eco-property includes private lodges, A-frame huts, and a modern pine building with 28 rooms and suites, all with window seats. The Highland Baths, a trio of natural pools fed by thermal springs, opened last summer.
Wood Hotel Bodø
Along the ancient Tea Horse Road in Southwest China, a trade route spanning rivers and dramatic mountain passes, the hospitality brand Lux* is evolving a collection of small retreats and hotels. Guests can journey from one retreat to another, staying at an 18-room boutique hotel in the historic center of Shangri-La or a 30-room Tibetan-style lodge in Benzilan, a village on the Yangtze River, deep in the Himalayas.