Valsana Arosa

Arosa isn’t just a haven for ski bunnies – summer visits offer 200km of well-maintained hiking trails, along with 700km of mountain biking paths. An adrenaline-fuelled race back to Arosa from nearby Hörnli offers descents of over 500m.
 

Valsana Hotel and Apartments sits within the pretty alpine village of Arosa, nestled between the Obersee lake and the nearby forest. The mountains are always calling here, and with good reason – rooms and terraces offer excellent views across the water to the snow-capped peaks of Weisshorn, and it is even possible to ski directly down the trail to the front door. The hotel is home to a fine pool and spa, along with a panoramic gym with an excellent PT program – perfect for soothing those post-slope aches. 

Valsana does a fine job of blending the very best elements of old-world ski lodge style – the cosiness, the glamour – into a new and modern beast of its own. Interiors are decorated in a characterful approach that sees bold hand-painted botanical prints sitting alongside embroidered Aztec textiles and aviator egg chairs, as well as a 14th-century French fireplace and snug leather armchairs. Supper is served in the hotel’s Twist restaurant, offering a zingy, locally-sourced menu and a good selection of European wines.

Valsana Arosa’s efforts in eco-consciousness are truly heroic, with high-tech solutions to reduce waste and minimise damage on the local environment applied across the board. The building’s heat is supplied by geothermal probes, without the use of fossil fuels, and excess heat energy is stored in the on-site ice battery for later usage. The resort also prides itself on being pet- and child-friendly, with ski schools, miniature sledges and pool inflatables to accommodate small human guests, and dog bowls and blankets for furry family members.