Mountains have always been the most romantic places in the world to stay. There is the silence after snow, the first light on a peak seen from bed, a hot tub under more stars than you have ever seen, and the feeling of being far away from everything except each other.
These are the most romantic mountain hotels in the world, for honeymoons, anniversaries or simply a few days alone together, from a cave suite in Saudi Arabia to a glass room in a Norwegian gorge and a lodge on a lake in New Zealand.
The most romantic mountain hotels at a glance
- Most dramatic: Desert Rock, Saudi Arabia
- Most famous view: Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt
- Most original: Chetzeron, Crans-Montana
- Best for the northern lights: Arctic Bath, Swedish Lapland
- Best for a fireside escape: Hôtel Quintessence, Québec
- Best honeymoon lodge: Matakauri Lodge, New Zealand
1. Desert Rock, Saudi Arabia
The moment: a swim in your own pool beneath the granite, then stars from the hilltop Observatory
Carved into the Hejaz Mountains near the Red Sea, Desert Rock has 64 villas and suites, some hanging from the cliffs and some carved into the rock as caves, and every one has its own private pool and a dedicated Villa Host. Climb the 600-odd steps and the rope bridge to The Observatory at sunset and stay for the stars. Go between October and April. Read our review of Desert Rock.
2. Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt, Switzerland
The moment: a swim in Europe's highest outdoor pool, facing the Matterhorn
Riffelalp stands on a sunny plateau at 2,222 metres, reached by the Gornergrat railway and its own little tram, with one of the most famous views of the Matterhorn in the world. The heated outdoor pool, at around 35°C, faces the mountain directly, and is at its most magical on a winter evening with steam rising into the cold air. Read our review of Riffelalp Resort 2222m.
3. Chetzeron, Crans-Montana, Switzerland
The moment: the mountain to yourselves after the last skiers have gone
A former cable car station at 2,112 metres, Chetzeron is now a 16-room design hotel with no road, reached on skis, by snowmobile or on foot. Once the day visitors leave, you have the heated pool, the terrace and the view across the Rhône valley to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc to yourselves. Some rooms have bathtubs with a view. Read our review of Chetzeron.
4. Arctic Bath, Swedish Lapland
The moment: the northern lights from a floating spa
Arctic Bath floats on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland, a circular timber spa surrounded by boreal forest, with just 12 cabins on the water and the shore. Warm up in the sauna, plunge into the river, then watch for the northern lights from the deck. In summer, the midnight sun barely sets. Its neighbour Treehotel, with rooms suspended in the pine forest, makes a perfect second stop. Read our review of Arctic Bath.
5. Juvet Landscape Hotel, Norway
The moment: waking up to the forest and river through a wall of glass
Set in a gorge near Geiranger, Juvet has just a handful of minimalist rooms, each with at least one wall made entirely of glass, angled to frame a different view of the river, forest or mountains. The glass Bath House beside the river has a steam room and an outdoor hot tub. Go in summer, for long, light evenings. Read our review of Juvet Landscape Hotel.
6. Hôtel Quintessence, Mont-Tremblant, Québec
The moment: a fire in your suite and snow falling on the frozen lake
Hôtel Quintessence is a Michelin Key boutique hotel of just 30 suites on the shore of Lac Tremblant, and every one has a wood-burning fireplace, a deep soaking tub and a balcony or terrace over the water. The spa has a lakeside hot tub, and the slopes and village are a few minutes away. Read our review of Hôtel Quintessence.
7. Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown, New Zealand
The moment: sunset over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables from your terrace
On the shore of Lake Wakatipu just outside Queenstown, Matakauri has only 16 suites and villas, each with a fireplace, a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Remarkables. With an infinity pool, a spa and outstanding food, it is one of the finest honeymoon lodges in the southern hemisphere. Read our review of Matakauri Lodge.
8. Hoshinoya Fuji, Japan
The moment: Mount Fuji from your bed on a clear winter morning
Hoshinoya Fuji is a cluster of 40 minimalist cabins on a forested hillside above Lake Kawaguchi, each with a huge picture window framing Mount Fuji and a terrace with a fireplace or wood-burning stove for cool evenings. Late autumn and winter bring the clearest views. Read our review of Hoshinoya Fuji.
9. Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco
The moment: a night in a Berber tent beneath the High Atlas
Sir Richard Branson's kasbah in the foothills of the High Atlas has antique-filled rooms, luxurious Berber tents, private riads and one of the most beautiful infinity pools in Africa, with a traditional hammam in the spa. It is under an hour from Marrakech, so it pairs perfectly with a few days in the city. Read our review of Kasbah Tamadot.
10. VIK Chile, Millahue Valley
The moment: a bath facing the vineyards and the Andes
VIK sits on a hilltop in a vast private vineyard estate, beneath a titanium-and-bronze roof, with 22 suites each designed by a different artist, an infinity pool above the valley and a Wine Spa. It is hill country with the Andes on the horizon rather than high mountains, but for wine-loving couples it is hard to beat. Read our review of VIK Chile.
Also worth considering
In Virginia, Primland has tree houses on the edge of the Dan River Gorge, some with private hot tubs, and an observatory for stargazing. In Switzerland, 7132 Hotel pairs Kengo Kuma suites with the Therme Vals, and in the Dolomites, FORESTIS has penthouse suites with private rooftop pools.
How to choose a romantic mountain hotel
For a honeymoon, choose a small hotel where you will feel looked after: Matakauri, Desert Rock and Hôtel Quintessence all have fewer than 70 rooms and outstanding service. For a winter escape, Riffelalp, Chetzeron and Arctic Bath combine snow, warmth and spectacular views. For something truly unusual, a cave suite at Desert Rock, a glass room at Juvet or a cabin facing Fuji will stay with you for life. For a city and mountains, pair Kasbah Tamadot with Marrakech, or Hôtel Quintessence with Montréal.
When to go
Winter is the most romantic season in the Alps, Scandinavia and Québec, with snow, fires and the northern lights from December to March. For Desert Rock, go from October to April. New Zealand and Chile are at their best from December to March, the southern summer, and Japan's clearest Fuji views come in late autumn and winter. Spring and autumn bring quieter, often better-value stays almost everywhere.
For more ideas, see our romantic mountain hotels, the best hotels for the northern lights and our pick of infinity pools with mountain views.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most romantic mountain hotel in the world?
It depends on your idea of romance. Riffelalp in Zermatt has the most famous view, facing the Matterhorn, Desert Rock in Saudi Arabia is the most dramatic, and Matakauri Lodge in New Zealand is one of the finest honeymoon lodges anywhere.
What are the best mountain hotels for a honeymoon?
Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, Desert Rock in Saudi Arabia, Hôtel Quintessence in Québec and Riffelalp in Zermatt are all small, beautifully run and spectacularly set.
Where can couples see the northern lights from a luxury hotel?
Arctic Bath and Treehotel in Swedish Lapland are two of the most romantic places to watch the northern lights, from December to March.
What is the most romantic hotel in the Alps?
Riffelalp Resort 2222m, with its heated outdoor pool facing the Matterhorn, and Chetzeron, a 16-room design hotel in a converted cable car station above Crans-Montana.
What is the best season for a romantic mountain break?
Winter, for snow, fireside evenings and the northern lights, in the Alps, Scandinavia and Québec. For Desert Rock go from October to April, and for New Zealand and Chile from December to March.
Which romantic mountain hotels have private pools or hot tubs?
Every villa and suite at Desert Rock has a private pool, the newest tree houses at Primland have private hot tubs, and the penthouse suites at FORESTIS have private rooftop pools.
