Graubunden In Luxe

The canton of Graubunden, with its stunning mountainscapes and selection of luxury hotels, are the ingredients of memorable alpine getaways. Hotels such as the neo-classical Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort is an inspiration from past ages, thanks to its heritage stretching back to 1869. Within this historic property are embellishments from the Belle Époque, the 1920s and the turn of the present century, as well as recent extensive refurbishments.

The 142-key Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort is composed of a 19th century Grand Hotel, the Villa Silvana, and the Chalet Belmont. Located in the middle of Switzerland’s idyllic Waldhaus Park, the resort is embedded within sprawling meadows with pathways lined by pine and linden trees, and inspiring vistas of mountain peaks in the distance. The hotel boasts four gourmet restaurants and two bars, offering both authentic local flavours and creative dishes that are delectable celebrations of the region’s bountiful harvests.

The 3,000-sq m Waldhaus Spa is an award-winning Alpinic sanctuary of wellness that features an indoor pool encased in a glass cube, which is wrapped by a heated outdoor pool with bubble loungers and massage sets. The natural swimming pool also has an ice enclave, which guests can plunge into for the height of refreshment. Sauna facilities, meanwhile, come in the form of an earth ‘grotto’, powered by a wood-burning stove.

Over at the canton of Graubunden in the hamlet of Vals is the 7132 Hotel 5 S, a super sleek property whose aesthetic vision was honed by the likes of Peter Zumthor, Kengo Kuma, Tadao Ando, and Thom Mayne. These boundary-pushing architects banded to craft their individual interpretations of what a design-aware hotel would resemble in the Swiss Alps.

7132 Hotels is a compendium of establishments named after the town’s postcode. These include the 7132 Hotel 5S; the 7132 House of Architects; the chalet 7132 Glenner; and the 7132 Gastronomie – a selection of restaurants, bars, and cafes, each with its own signature offerings, from the Michelinstarred 7132 Silver to the casual elegance of 7132 Coffee Shop. As for 7132 Therme, Zumthor transposed his architectural points of view to a raw concrete structure featuring 60,000 slabs of Vals quartzite. For his efforts, Zumthor was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2009.

For those seeking to arrive stylishly at the property, an Airbus EC 130 is on standby to transport guests from any Swiss location to Vals. 7132 Hotels is the sole hotel in Switzerland that offers such a service.

The historic Precise Upper House Seehof Davos, the oldest hotel in town since 1869, attracts guests with its prime location and palpable sense of old world luxury. With the Parsenn lift next door, guests have access to slopes featuring perennial snow along with an intricate expanse of hiking routes. A favourite of the world’s jetset, the 113-room hotel is the height of refined taste thanks to its collection of artworks, honed by Graubunden’s expert craftsmen over the centuries.

Accommodations at the property feature unique designs and configurations. The largest family apartment spans 102 square metres, features two rooms as well as a living and dining area. Interiors are a soothing blend of Swiss stone pine panelling and colours that blend seamlessly.

For serious skiers, in addition to the Parsenn lift next door, there are seven regions nearby with 57 transport systems and 300 kilometres of pistes, all of which are accessible by bus shuttle to the Jakobshorn, Pischa, Schatzalp and Rinerhorn ski regions. A further 4-km cross country stretch is available in the Flüela Valley, while the start of the World Cup trail and other tracks are a mere 350 metres from the hotel. For sledging and tobogganing, a favourite activity for both children and adults, an 18-km route is a couple of steps away. As for post-piste pastimes, the Precise Upper House Seehof Davos’ lounge is just the place for a pick-me-up hot chocolate or a well-deserved cocktail.