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Top 10 European hotels for winter sports

14th January 2010 Print
Skiing in Europe

Flying down the ski slopes through the valleys, or simply enjoying a hot chocolate and taking in the beautiful winter landscape. For travellers that would like to experience the enjoyment of winter sports, Europe’s ski hotels offer guests the opportunity to relax and enjoy alpine hospitality and rustic comforts.

The most popular winter sport hotel lies in the Berchtesgaden Alps in Germany. Hotels in the ski resorts of the Alps in Austria, Italy and Switzerland are also favoured by travellers. However, the regions around the French Mont Blanc Mountain and the Bavarian Lake Tegernsee have also made it into the list. From more than 6,000 hotels in the category winter sport hotel, trivago has brought together the ten hotels that are currently the most popular among travellers in 2010.

1. Intercontinental Berchtesgaden Resort, Bavaria (Germany)

Nestled in the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Intercontinental Berchtesgaden Resort is located at an altitude of 1,000 metres. Huge windows provide a fascinating view over the snowy mountains at almost every point in the hotel. Some of the drawing points of the hotel are the 138 rooms that are equipped with the latest modern technical equipment, the award winning spa and the star rated restaurant Le Ciel. Located in between the mountain ranges of Watzmann and Untersberg the five star mountain resort offers access to 35 miles of ski runs with reliable snow conditions varying in height from 600 to 1,800 metres.

2. Hotel Gardena Grodnerhof, Ortisei / Southern Tyrol (Italy)

The Gardena Grodnerhof has been in family ownership since 1923. Located in the bustling mountain village of Ortisei, the impressive five star hotel has a 1,300 square metre spa resort and star restaurant. 51 rooms and suites await guests with a traditional flair and rustic comforts. Ortisei – in the centre of the 15 mile long Val Gardena ski resort – offers direct ski lift connections and hiking areas. On the Sella Ronda skiers and snowboarders can circle the huge Sella Mountain. Experienced skiers can enjoy the numerous off-piste slopes and snowshoe hikers can explore the snow-covered meadows and forests in the midst of the Dolomites.

3. Coeur des Alpes Hotel, Zermatt (Switzerland)

The Coeur des Alpes Hotel welcomes its guests, high above the roofs of the Valais mountain village of Zermatt. The unusual architecture of the four star hotel already promises an exciting stay, before entering the hotel. 20 rooms and suites, exclusive lofts and a sky-apartment offer comfortable surroundings. The spa which offers a rain shower, oriental hamam and traditional Kneipp bath provides the necessary relaxation after a day on the slopes. The ski area around the Matterhorn invites skiers and snowboarders, just as well as ice skaters and guests on sleighs.

4. Seehotel Uberfahrt, Rottach-Egern / Bavaria (Germany)

The Seehotel Uberfahrt lives up to its name. On the waterfront of Lake Tegernsee, the five star hotel offers panoramic views over the wintry waters. This stylish and luxurious hotel interior has been combined with Bavarian hospitality. The 185 square metre spa includes an indoor and outdoor pool, juice bar and private hotel beach. In the gourmet restaurant Uberfahrt, the star chef Christian Jurgens pampers his guests with culinary delicacies. In Rottach-Egern travellers can use sleds to slide down Germany’s longest natural toboggan run.

5. Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol, Telfs / Tirol (Austria)

The Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol offers its guests 282 rooms, apartments and suites. Located on the Seefelder high plateau in the small town Telfs, visitors to the five star hotel are situated in the middle of a winter wonderland. Whether on a snowshoe hike, a sleigh ride or a night walk, travellers are immersed in the Tyrolean snow world. Holidaymakers that enjoy long steep slopes and cross-country skiing can take the hotel shuttle bus to the ski resort Seefelder in Otztal. In the evening, guests can enjoy the extensive spa facilities and relax in the panoramic pool with a view of the Tyrolean mountains.

6. Theresia Garten- and Aparthotel, Saalbach-Hinterglemm (Austria)

Located in the bustling ski area of Saalbach-Hinterglemm, the Theresia Garten- and Aparthotel ­– is surrounded by 120 miles of slopes, huts and several toboggan runs. In the largest connected ski region in Austria, the four star hotel offers every conceivable luxury. Contemporary art and an extravagant interior dominate the picture in the Gartenhotel with its stylish hotel bar “Cow 1976”. The accompanying Aparthotel invites large and small families. With the award winning spa, the biological gourmet restaurant and extensive library no wish remains unfulfilled at the Theresia Garten- and Aparthotel.

7. Appesbach Lakeside Manor House, St. Wolfgang (Austria)

The Appesbach Lakeside Manor House by the Austrian Lake Wolfgang has 28 rooms. This four star hotel offers a relaxing winter vacation, with a small restaurant, cozy lounge and a veranda overlooking the lake. The hotel gracefully lies in front of Lake Wolfgang’s snowy backdrop. The romantic St. Wolfgang at the foot of the 1,782 metre high Schafberg Mountain impresses with its historical streets and famous pilgrimage church on the lakeshore. Postalm, the nearby ski resort is popular with families, due to its beginner friendly fun park.

8. The Omnia, Zermatt (Switzerland)

High above Zermatt winter sport travellers are captivated by a spectacular holiday resort: In the modern Mountain Lodge The Omnia, every room is special. All of the rooms have been adapted to the extravagant design of the hotel combined with Swiss hospitality. Relaxation is high on the menu with a Turkish bath, Finnish sauna and an outdoor whirlpool; travellers can also relax with a book by the fireplace in the hotel library. In Zermatt visitors can take advantage of special extras. The car free village at the foot of the Matterhorn is one of the leading and most snow-sure resorts in the world. Over the Theodulpass guests can ski over the border to Italy. 

9. Arosea Life Balance Hotel, Ulten / Southern Tyrol (Italy)

The Arosea Life Balance Hotel lies in the midst of the romantic Ulten Mountains by the side of a lake. A 30 minute drive away from the Italian spa town of Merano, travellers can find a peaceful winter paradise. The hotel concept is enhanced with its constant reference to nature. Each room has its own spring water drinking fountain; the spa boasts a bio-sauna, herbal steam bath and a natural pond. Travellers that are looking for a little action amidst all of the tranquility can be chauffeured to the ski area Schwemmalm, where 11 miles of slopes with varying difficulties await guests.      

10. Club Med Peisey-Vallandry, Peisey-Vallandry / Rhône-Alps (France)

In close proximity to the ski resort Paradiski in the French Peisey-Vallandry, the Club Med of the same name lies at an altitude of 1,600 metres. Surrounded by the pine forest of the Tarentaise-Tals valley, the resort was built in the style of rustic mountain huts and combines traditional materials with modern architecture. From the terraces of the exclusive suites, residents enjoy a spectacular view of the majestic Mont Blanc Mountain. In the 800 square metre Spa, there are many facilities including an in and outdoor pool. Skiers can enjoy themselves on more than 250 miles of slopes and 75 miles of snow-sure cross-country trails.

The ranking is based on the current top rated and most researched winter sport hotels on trivago.co.uk.


 

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Skiing in Europe