Giardino Mountain

The Giardino Mountain is a jewel of a hotel in the little village of Champfèr, in the spectacular Upper Engadine region. Voted Europe’s most beautiful mountain hotel in 2015, it is refined, sophisticated and indulgent while maintaining an Alpine charm. On the outside the architecture is typical Swiss mountain village, while the inside oozes modern lifestyle and has a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Guests are made to feel instantly at home by the attentive and extremely helpful staff, who are on hand the minute you walk though the door, and happy to make any recommendations from skiing to dining.

You probably won’t want to dine out in the evening however, as the hotel has five exceptional choices. The Stuva serves local, hearty Engadine cuisine, while Ecco has an impressive two Michelin stars and a long list of other culinary awards. The Hide & Seek restaurant offers a menu inspired by both contemporary and Ayurvedic sources.

It also might feel hard to head out skiing in the morning. The rooms and suites are spacious with mountain views over snowy rooftops, and are beautifully styled with pictures of old St Moritz contrasting against the designer furniture. Cozy fireplaces in the lounge, exceptionally comfortable sofas, and candle lit spaces are all very romantic. Guests should try the Spa with its pool, sauna and beautiful relaxation areas. Signature dipiù and Aveda products complement the extensive list of treatments. The hotel also offers 'Ayurveda by Giardino', a therapeutic and non-medical health program for holistic well-being.

Skiing in St Moritz can not be overstated. The four large and diverse ski areas of Corviglia/Piz Nair, Corvatsch, Lagalb and Zuoz promise slopes and terrain for all levels of skier, together with an excellent snow record due to the height, and a fast, modern lift infrastructure. Indeed, the Ski World Championships were held here in 2017.