Spa Uncommon: Altein Arosa

This winter, whisk the one you love away to the magical Swiss Alps, where every snow capped peak and evergreen forest looks like it has been painted as the scenic backdrop for a fairytale or Christmas card. The Swiss ski resort of Arosa has recently been rated as the best in the world, and whether you are a serious powder junkie or prefer to indulge in luxurious accommodation and fine dining, spectating whilst others ski, this idyllic destination certainly has it all.

To do Arosa justice, check in to Altein Arosa, a Faern Collection Resort. Dusted in snow for much of the year, and looking straight out at incredible alpine vistas, this hotel really makes the most of its location, especially if you book one of the eight deluxe rooms with corner balconies. Surely nothing can beat waking up as day breaks across the mountains, the first sunlight sparkling on fresh powder, as you sip on a steaming cup of coffee, your breath turning to mist in the air.

Healthy living is at the very heart of Altein Arosa’s ethos. There is no question that just being in the mountains, breathing deeply, makes you feel more relaxed in your body and in your mind. All the stresses and pollution of city living just seem to melt away. It is a seven-minute walk from the hotel to the ski lifts, which grant you access to 225 km of pistes. In summer, these same slopes are the venue for Bike Kingdom, one of Europe’s premier mountain biking destinations.

The hotel’s biggest draw is its vast 950 sq m wellness and fitness area.

The heated indoor pool is open all year round; the outdoor pool, understandably, is enjoyable only in summer. If you are feeling brave in the depths of winter, however, you can book an exhilarating ice bathing session in the lake, and then come back to the spa to thaw out in the hotel’s sauna and steam bath. The contrast between the extreme cold and warmth is said to be good for circulation and for the nervous system, and it undoubtedly rivals the caffeine shot of a triple espresso as a wake up call!

Even if you plan to ski for much of the day, you can start and end your schedule with wellness activities at the hotel. Stretch out and prepare yourself with an early morning yoga or pilates class, ensuring all your muscles are warmed up and supple for the slopes. Come back to the hotel in the mid afternoon to avoid the rush for the last lift, and instead spend an hour chilling out, perhaps with a cocktail in hand, on a lounger in the relaxation room. Here you can lie back in your dressing gown, smelling the faint pine fragrance of the wood and looking straight out at the mountains. Before dinner, why not treat yourself to a massage treatment? Altein Arosa’s therapists are sensitive to the aches and pains which inevitably result from skiing, even if you have managed to remain upright, and can gently loosen even the tightest knots, readying you for another day of fun in the snow. There is also the opportunity to have facials and other moisturising treatments, so every part of your face and body feels refreshed.

There are 126 guest rooms and suites at Altein Arosa, all of which have big windows so the interiors are drenched in that bright mountain light. Nature seems to flow inside, too: the flooring and much of the furniture is crafted from beautiful, pale wood; there are gorgeous pure wool textiles dyed with earthy pigments; and on the walls you will find fine art photographs of wooden chalets, dog teams and their sleds, and other local scenes. The beds are huge and in typical Swiss German style come with two separate duvets, so no one ends up with cold feet or feeling too hot. The stark white en suite bathrooms are as meticulous as you would expect, and like the guest rooms have ample space and light.