11 Best Hotels in Valais, Switzerland

Choose from three hotels in one at this charming property tucked into the hillside and reminiscent of a nomadic Alpine village: the more lux Alpinist and Nomad and the more casual Huntsman; all include access to the Mountain Ashram Spa, complete with Japanese onsen and Mongolian relaxation yurts, and choice of restaurants, including the vivacious Mediterranean-themed, vegetarian-focused Bazaar. Homey contemporary rooms done up in warm colors and natural materials have wood floors and beamed ceilings; some of the larger ones include bunk bed alcoves (great for any kids in tow), fireplaces, or in-room saunas. The complex includes five restaurants, two open in summer and three open in winter, including Italian cuisine at Madre Nostra and fondue at Ferdinand. The spa, which sprawls across the property, also includes a Bhutanese herbal bath and sauna, and all guests have complimentary access to daily pilates, yoga, and meditation classes. There’s also a climbing wall to practice your mountain moves. The Sunnegga Bahn lift is right next to the hotel, ideal for hiking and skiing, and during ski season, a DJ spins nightly at the Après Ski bar.

The trendiest place to stay in town features a restaurant from Parisian chef Gregory Marchand of Frenchie fame, a spa with cult Biologique Recherche products, and the Experimental brand’s renowned cocktails—plus it's now home to Verbier’s famed nightspot, the Farm Club. Designed by Milanese architect Fabrizio Casiraghi, well-appointed guest rooms are done up in jewel tones; some include large terraces with mountain views and private Jacuzzis. Frenchie Verbier restaurant highlights elevated takes on French cuisine, while the cocktail bar is a cozy place for an après-ski libation (as well as for people-watching). Though the spa is small, it’s a pleasant place to enjoy the Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room.

The central location and luxurious setting help this Zermatt grande dame stand out, with rooms divided between the main building and connecting annexes. Accommodations are elegant, with woodsy chalet-style touches in keeping with the mountain location. Since the hotel is named after the iconic peak (in French, naturally), most rooms have Matterhorn views. The main restaurant has a light, modern ambience with dishes to match. There are also more casual lunch and dinner options, Grill Le Cervin and Ristorante Capri, a Michelin-rated Italian restaurant open only in winter. Half-board arrangements are available. The hotel reserves covered parking in and transportation from Täsch.

This sophisticated glass-and-steel hotel on the hillside above the Kirchplatz not only has great service and superlative town and mountain views, but is an engineering marvel, a sleek standout in a village of traditional hoteliers. You'll feel like James Bond as a private tunnel leads through a cave to the secure elevator, where you are whisked to the contemporary lobby, decorated invitingly with a stone fireplace and modern furnishings. With great Matterhorn vistas from decks and balconies, some of the luxurious guest rooms also have fireplaces, jetted tubs, and saunas, and all have a complimentary snifter of Scotch. The elegant restaurant offers a range of interesting vegetarian choices that can be "supplemented" with meat or fish options; the bar is an equally sleek place to sip cocktails. Chill out in the wellness area's indoor-outdoor pool, multiple steam rooms, sauna, and outdoor whirlpool with Matterhorn views, perfect for relaxing post-ski or hike.

Like staying in the cozy mountain chalet of a friend with good taste, The Capra combines Alpine-style wood-paneled walls and an abundance of fireplaces with modern art, delicious local cuisine, and a luxurious spa. Rooms, accented in warm woods and woolen textiles, boast ultra-comfy beds, and all have balconies with town and mountain views. Brasserie 1809 focuses on local and sustainable ingredients, with most products coming from within a 150-km (93-mile) radius. The Peak Health Spa has indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna and steam room, and a separate gym; daily yoga classes are on-offer.

Built in the shape of mountain peaks, this classic hotel perched high on a hillside above Montana has been refurbished in a contemporary style that's purposefully understated to let the views take center stage. Tasteful touches include modern art on the walls and marble and wood accents throughout the hotel; though room decor is on the standard side, it's enlivened by a touch of plaid on the chairs and curtains. The hotel's restaurants offer everything from casual bar food to Alpine specialties to elegant Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. The spa, built with wood and natural stone, has a heated swimming pool and large gym—again with glorious views.

This cozy, hidden family-owned gem offers refurbished rooms playing up local stone and wood; room balconies feature excellent Matterhorn views. It's just a 10-minute walk from Gornergrat railway and the Matterhorn Ski Paradise. The food and wine are especially excellent, while the cellar spa with steam room, sauna, and thermal bath are not to be missed.  

Located in the heart of Verbier, the buzzy Hotel Farinet offers ski-lodge style with modern touches and the most popular bars in town. Pops of cowhide and rustic wood blend with flat-screen LCD TVs and colorful lighting. The hotel features a sauna, massage therapies, and a bustling nightlife scene with an après-ski bar, a lounge, and a nightclub.

Part of Michel Reybier Hospitality Group (La Réserve), this cozy design-minded inn is a chic, almost urban, place to bunk down with velvet pillows, a fireplace in the library, and a full-size indoor pool in the spa. Its 95 airy, clean rooms feature sleek mid-century modern furniture, desks, and fluffy beds. Most have a terrace or balcony with views of the Matterhorn. Choose from BBQ and pizza in the Schweizerhof Kitchen (complete with a nightly DJ), Peruvian-Japanese fusion at La Muña (winter-only), and fondue at the Cheese Factory (also winter-only).

Sitting at 7,290 feet amid open fields and dense forests, this mountaintop option has direct views of the Matterhorn—especially breathtaking in the orange glow of early morning. Guest rooms have enchantingly stylish Heidi-esque woodwork, rich fabrics, sumptuous sofas, and whirlpool tubs. Dining options within the Riffelalp range from a wood-paneled restaurant and a stone-trimmed tavern to a terrace. Bliss out with chilling footbaths and organic saunas in the spa, which is crowned by an indoor pool that is a whirlpool extravaganza and an outdoor pool that is Europe's highest.

This hotel has an expansive spa, not to mention lofty views of the mountains and glaciers, and you can opt for a rate that includes a four-course dinner in addition to breakfast. Rooms are spacious and simple, but some more elaborate suites feature whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. The relaxing Alpine spa features a series of saunas and steam baths, as well as a hot tub, swimming pool, and fitness room. The glass-enclosed relaxation room is particularly nice, with great views.