Switzerland invented the luxury mountain hotel. In the 19th century, its grand hotels welcomed the first Alpine tourists, and today the country still has more great mountain hotels than anywhere else on Earth, from palace hotels in St. Moritz and Gstaad to design icons in Vals and Andermatt and ski-in, ski-out retreats beneath the Matterhorn.
These are the best luxury hotels in Switzerland's mountains, chosen for their setting, character, service and the experiences they open up.
The best luxury hotels in Switzerland at a glance
- Best grand hotel: Badrutt's Palace, St. Moritz
- Best for the Matterhorn: Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt
- Best design: The Chedi Andermatt
- Best for a lake view: Bürgenstock Resort, Lake Lucerne
- Best spa: 7132 Hotel, Vals
- Best for families: Suvretta House, St. Moritz
St. Moritz
1. Badrutt's Palace
The symbol of Swiss mountain glamour since 1896, still owned by the Badrutt family, with a theatrical lobby, the King's Social House nightclub and views across the frozen lake. Read our review of Badrutt's Palace.
2. Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
The birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, with a 2,000-square-metre spa, the Cresta Run in its grounds and some of the best views in town. Read our review of Kulm Hotel St. Moritz.
3. Suvretta House
A 1912 grand hotel on its own estate, with its own ski lift to Corviglia and some of the best children's facilities in the Alps. Read our review of Suvretta House.
4. Carlton Hotel St. Moritz
An intimate, all-suite hotel above the lake, with 60 south-facing suites and Da Vittorio, with two Michelin stars. Read our review of Carlton Hotel St. Moritz. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best luxury hotels in St. Moritz.
Gstaad and central Switzerland
5. The Alpina Gstaad
The first major luxury hotel built in Gstaad in a century, combining Simmentaler craftsmanship with contemporary art, outstanding dining and a vast spa, in the most discreet of Swiss resorts. Read our review of The Alpina Gstaad.
6. Bürgenstock Resort, Lake Lucerne
On a forested ridge 500 metres above Lake Lucerne, with one of the most famous infinity pools in Switzerland, a vast spa and a dozen restaurants on a car-free plateau. Read our review of Bürgenstock Resort.
7. The Chedi Andermatt
An Alpine chalet outside and something close to an Asian temple inside, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, with more than 200 fireplaces and a superb spa, at the heart of the reinvented resort of Andermatt. Read our review of The Chedi Andermatt.
Zermatt
8. Riffelalp Resort 2222m
Ski-in, ski-out at 2,222 metres above Zermatt, reached by the Gornergrat railway, with Europe's highest outdoor pool facing the Matterhorn. Read our review of Riffelalp Resort 2222m.
9. The Omnia
Zermatt's most striking design hotel, perched on a rocky outcrop above the car-free village, reached through a tunnel and a lift through the rock, with Matterhorn views from its spa. Read our review of The Omnia.
Graubünden
10. 7132 Hotel, Vals
A five-star retreat built around Peter Zumthor's celebrated Therme Vals, one of the most remarkable spas in the world, in a remote valley of fewer than a thousand people. Read our review of 7132 Hotel.
11. Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Arosa
A ski hotel with its own private mountain railway to the slopes and Mario Botta's 5,000-square-metre Bergoase spa, with its glass 'sails'. Read our review of Tschuggen Grand Hotel.
Verbier
12. W Verbier
The liveliest luxury hotel in Verbier, beside the Médran lift, with ski-in, ski-out access, pools, a spa and some of the busiest après-ski in the Alps. Read our review of W Verbier.
13. Chalet d'Adrien
Verbier's most romantic hotel, a Relais & Châteaux chalet of aged timber and antiques with 29 rooms, pools and views across the Val de Bagnes. Read our review of Chalet d'Adrien.
How to choose a luxury hotel in Switzerland
For classic glamour and events on the frozen lake, choose St. Moritz: Badrutt's Palace for the buzz, the Kulm for history and sport, Suvretta House for families and the Carlton for intimacy. For discreet, chalet-style luxury, choose The Alpina Gstaad. For the Matterhorn, choose Riffelalp to ski from the door or The Omnia for design in the village. For architecture and wellness, choose 7132 in Vals or The Chedi in Andermatt. For a lake rather than a ski resort, choose Bürgenstock. For lively skiing, choose W Verbier, or Chalet d'Adrien for romance in the same resort.
When to go
The winter season usually runs from December to April, with the most reliable snow from January to March. High-altitude resorts such as Zermatt and Riffelalp have the longest seasons. Summer, from late June to mid-September, brings hiking, lakes, mountain railways and wildflowers, and September is often the loveliest month of all. Many mountain hotels close in spring and late autumn, so check opening dates before you book.
Getting around
Switzerland's railways make it one of the easiest mountain countries to explore without a car. The Glacier Express links St. Moritz and Zermatt, the Bernina Express runs from St. Moritz to Italy, and Zurich and Geneva airports are connected by train to almost every resort. Zermatt is car-free, and Bürgenstock is reached by ferry and funicular from Lucerne.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best luxury hotel in Switzerland's mountains?
Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz is the most famous, but The Alpina Gstaad, The Chedi Andermatt, Riffelalp Resort 2222m in Zermatt and Bürgenstock Resort above Lake Lucerne are all among the finest in the world.
Which Swiss luxury hotel has the best Matterhorn view?
Riffelalp Resort 2222m, high above Zermatt, has one of the most famous Matterhorn views in the world, including from its outdoor pool. The Omnia, in the village, also has superb views.
Which is better for luxury, St. Moritz or Gstaad?
St. Moritz is more glamorous and lively, with grand hotels and events on the frozen lake. Gstaad is more discreet and chalet-like, with The Alpina as its standout hotel.
What is the best luxury spa hotel in Switzerland?
7132 Hotel in Vals, built around Peter Zumthor's Therme Vals, is one of the most remarkable spa hotels in the world. Tschuggen in Arosa, The Chedi Andermatt and Bürgenstock also have outstanding spas.
When is the best time to visit Switzerland's luxury mountain hotels?
January to March for skiing, and late June to September for hiking and lakes. Many hotels close in spring and late autumn.
