Valsana Hotel Arosa

Trust the Swiss to be at the very forefront of the high-luxury, high-design ski-hotel world. Valsana Hotel & Appartements, overlooking the Obersee in the Graubündner village of Arosa, is recognizable from a distance as an Alpine lodge of sorts, but as you look more closely, the innovative details become apparent — from the organic carved-wood forms of the balconies to the interiors, which trade the typical lodge style for an eclectic blend of wood, stone, glass, and richly varied furnishings and artworks. It’s as green as a modern mountain hotel should be, as well, using geothermal heating and an “ice battery” for energy-efficient climate control. All this without sacrificing comfort — the rooms go in for low-tech charms like parquet floors and down duvets, and while there’s a contemporary simplicity to the layouts, the rooms are anything but bare, thanks to the warm organic textures and the eclectic details. Espresso machines are welcome, if expected, while in-room record players are both welcome and unexpected. Skiing may be the most obvious activity, but you’ll also find a spa, an indoor tennis facility, and a gym with a thoughtfully programmed schedule of classes. And come dinnertime you’ll have healthy options to suit today’s idea of a post-ski meal — sure, there’s melted cheese, if you want it, but there’s also vegan and gluten-free fare, as well as a bit of a Middle Eastern influence.