Graubunden, the largest canton in Switzerland, offers something to thrill everyone—from some of the world’s best winter skiing to spring hiking, summertime swimming, and top-notch spas and culinary destinations all year long. There’s also a plethora of accommodations for every type of traveler. Whether seeking the ideal basecamp for Alpine exploration and adventure, or the perfect hideaway to escape the world for a few days, relax, and re-energize, you will find it in Graubunden.
Here we take a look at some of the new and renovated properties completed just in time for ski season.
The Noteworthy Newcomer
The Hotel Krone opened its doors in early December 2022, inviting guests to "Explore More." An ideal basecamp for those looking to experience this part of the Alps, the Hotel Krone is situated in the heart of the scenic Churwalden Municipality, just a five-minute walk from the ski lifts and a two-minute walk from the Pradaschier Ski Area (one of the best adventure mountains for families). The ski lifts allow access to two sports areas, the Arosa Lenzerheide with roughly 130 miles of pistes for all skill levels, and the Arosa Lenzerheide Snowpark for the braver skiers out there. For those not-so-daring mountain enthusiasts seeking a more relaxing, but still sporty, day out, there is a natural ice rink in the middle of Churwalden. The district is known for its lakes and rivers as well as its mountains, making it a prime spot for exploring all year round.
Visitors can also enjoy the natural environment straight from the hotel’s 86 double rooms, each with its own balcony with Alpine views. Or, take in the sights from the bar terrace, drink in hand, open daily after 4 p.m. Then, proceed to the on-site restaurant, Crùna. Helmed by chef Frank Widmer, it offers a diverse menu with authentic Alpine cuisine alongside plenty of tried-and-true classics including pasta and pizza.
For those who seek to unwind, the spa area includes a jacuzzi, a steam bath, a Finnish sauna, a bio sauna and an infrared cabin. The hotel also has a spacious fitness room where guests can round off their day with a sports massage.
Restored and Refurbished Relais & Châteaux
Currently the only five-star hotel in the municipality of Samnaun—which is famed for its Alpine village and the valley below—Relais & Châteaux's Chasa Montana Hotel & Spa has reopened its doors following an extensive renovation that upgraded it from a four-star property. The luxurious hideaway is family-owned by the Zeggs, who collaborated with the architectural firm Fanzun, interior architect Cathrin Hoch and interior designer Buckhart Röck on the renovation, which took eight months and an investment of 20 million Swiss francs (roughly $21 million)
Today, Chasa Montana is home to 20 suites and 25 double rooms, all designed in an elegant style using locally sourced materials such as pine, larch wood and granite. The property also hosts La Miranda Gourmet Stübli, a Michelin starred and 16 Gault & Millau restaurant where head chef, Bernd Fabian, curates French-Mediterranean cuisine prepared from the best local ingredients; guests can enjoy a surprise menu of three, four, or five courses.
Another standout is the 16,145-square-foot Montana SPA, which has four pools (including a heated outdoor option), seven saunas, and separate relaxation and silent rooms. Treatments rely on the German-made Medical Beauty Research beauty line.
An Eco-Friendly Upgrade
Since 1974, the Valbella Inn has been a four-star winter hideaway in Lenzerheide, one of the Alps’ most beloved ski areas. But the summer of 2022 saw it expand and transform into Valbella Resort, a year-round resort with 121 rooms. After a complete makeover, the property is ready to accommodate guests in the warmer months with new lounge areas and a new outdoor pool. With this renovation, the resort also made great strides in sustainability, launching a series of green initiatives (such as installing photovoltaic systems, an air heat pump, geothermal probes and energy-optimized facades).
Valbella is also home to a wellness center with a comprehensive range of spa, relaxation and treatment options, as well as a swimming pool and sports facilities. Guests can also expect two KidsInn nurseries, a fireplace bar and two restaurants (one of which has been expanded to include a child-free Premula Area). There’s also a large seminar and banquet space for corporate events and conferences, which can now also be held in the refreshed outdoor areas. A new, underground parking lot and tunnel connects the main building, the spa and the ski room (which includes skis and bikes for guest use).
The Spa of the Future
A brand-new spa in the Schweizerhof Lenzerheide hotel brings a new approach to relaxation to the Alps. BergSpa will give guests a chance to immerse themselves in the so-called TimeSpaces where they will "discover the symbiosis of art and beauty, fragrance and design, relaxation and revitalization for mind and body." Built and curated as a place where guests can explore and experience the benefits of filling one’s time with art and leisure, the TimeSpaces are designed to be so much more than a typical spa room or treatment; instead, they’re sanctuaries for indulging all the senses.
A guest chooses an amount of time they want to devote to relaxation (the minimum is 70 minutes), as well as a means to relax: maybe it’s a personal consultation to sample cosmetics (including brands Dermalogica, Pretty & Pure organics and Green + the Gent), time in the hammam, or a Lomi Lomi Nui massage. Then, they enhance their experience with time spent in the light-filled relaxation rooms, enjoying teas and snacks as they retreat and recharge, achieving the ultimate spa experience.
Art Nouveau in the Alps
The Cresta Palace Celerina has been the Art Nouveau hotel of the Engadine valley since it opened in 1906. Now, following a large investment, 40 rooms and suites have been completely renovated and redesigned with the help of architectural office Fanzun AG, who paid close attention to the history of the hotel. The renovation reflects a new interior and color concept and includes the work of Engadin craftsmen, highlighting both the management’s and architect’s commitment to cultural sustainability. Local techniques, materials, and style are evident throughout the premises, carefully balancing modernity with the traditional artistry that made the property famous.
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