Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Arosa, Switzerland

The Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa is one of the most distinctive five-star ski hotels in the Alps, standing above a quiet, sunny resort at the end of a spectacular mountain railway in Graubünden. It combines two remarkable features found nowhere else: its own private mountain railway, the Tschuggen Express, which carries guests straight from the hotel to the ski slopes, and the Tschuggen Bergoase, a 5,000-square-metre spa by the Swiss architect Mario Botta, whose glass "sails" rise like leaves from the mountainside. Add a two-Michelin-star restaurant, and it is a destination in its own right.

Location: Arosa, Switzerland

The hotel stands at around 1,800 metres above Arosa, in the canton of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland. Arosa sits at the head of the Schanfigg valley, surrounded by peaks, larch forests and lakes, and is known for its sunshine, relaxed atmosphere and family-friendliness.

The Arosa railway from Chur is one of Switzerland's most scenic train rides, climbing through a gorge and over the famous Langwies viaduct. Arosa station is three minutes from the hotel by car, and Zurich is around two hours away by road or rail. The ski area of Arosa Lenzerheide offers around 225 kilometres of pistes.

Rooms and suites at the Tschuggen

The hotel has around 130 rooms and suites, including several Mountain Lofts, all designed by Swiss architect and designer Carlo Rampazzi. His style is bold, colourful and contemporary, with rich textures and playful touches that make each room feel individual. Most rooms have balconies with views over the Arosa mountains.

The range includes generous double rooms, junior suites, suites and family rooms, with options for larger families. The hotel also has a kindergarten and children's programmes, making it a good choice for families.

Facilities at the Tschuggen

The Tschuggen Bergoase is the hotel's showpiece. Designed by Mario Botta and built into the mountain over four floors, it is crowned by distinctive glass and steel structures that rise above the ground like illuminated leaves or sails, letting daylight pour into the spa below. Inside, there are pools with mountain views, saunas, steam rooms, relaxation areas and treatment rooms, all in Botta's characteristic stone and wood.

Dining is outstanding. La Brezza holds two Michelin stars and offers creative fine dining in the evening. The Grand Restaurant serves a daily changing menu, La Collina has a sunny terrace, and The Basement offers honest regional dishes based on "grandmother's recipes". There is also a sports shop, tennis, and curling and skating rinks nearby.

The mountain moment

The defining moment is riding the Tschuggen Express, the only private hotel mountain railway in Switzerland. Its panoramic cabins carry guests from the hotel straight up into the heart of the Arosa Lenzerheide ski area in less than four minutes, and bring them back to the door at the end of the day. In summer, it serves the hiking trails instead.

At dusk, the Bergoase's glass sails glow among the snowy trees, and a swim in the spa's pools, looking out over the mountains as the light fades, is the perfect end to the day.

Why the Tschuggen is one of the best mountain hotels

The Tschuggen Grand Hotel earns its place because it combines genuinely world-class architecture, a superb spa, two-Michelin-star dining and unique ski-in, ski-out convenience in a peaceful, sunny resort away from the crowds. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Arosa is quieter and less glamorous than St. Moritz or Gstaad, which is precisely its charm. For design lovers, spa lovers, families and food lovers, the Tschuggen is a destination in its own right.

When to go to the Tschuggen

The Tschuggen is a seasonal hotel, so check its winter and summer opening dates before planning. The ski season in Arosa Lenzerheide usually runs from early December to around Easter. Arosa is known for its sunshine, and January and February bring crisp, reliable snow, while March offers long, bright days on the slopes; Christmas, New Year and February holidays are the busiest weeks. Summer brings hiking among larch forests and lakes, mountain biking and the Tschuggen Express serving the trails instead of the pistes, at a calmer pace than winter. Book La Brezza in advance, as it is open only in the evenings, and ask about family rooms early for school holidays. For the full experience, time your arrival to ride the Arosa railway from Chur in daylight, as the climb through the gorge and over the Langwies viaduct is one of the great Swiss train journeys. Families should look at the family rooms and kindergarten, and design lovers should allow time simply to explore the Bergoase, whose glass sails are at their most striking at dusk.