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Tropical beaches, radiant sunsets and barefoot walks along the beach – for some, the real essence of getting away from it all means basking in the heat somewhere remote and exotic. But, the hardier travelers among us know that cold climates have their own, unique charm. Here's my choice of the ultimate places to visit this winter:
- The Treehotel, Swedish Lapland
Located in Harads, near the Lule River in the far north of Swedish Lapland, the remote Treehotel, first opened its doors back in 2010 and offers a completely one-of-a-kind hotel experience. It is widely recognised as one of the world’s most unusual, not to mention eco-friendly, hotels and, up to now, has had just six tree rooms, all designed by different leading Scandinavian architects.
New for 2017, is a seventh room designed by Norwegian Snøhetta, featuring lighting by Ateljé Lyktan. Originally inspired by the film The Tree Lover, a philosophical story about the significance of trees for us as human beings, the hotel offers sleek, design-led rooms in a natural, harmonious environment. The new addition will be the largest and most spectacular room on offer.
Inside the Seventh Room at The Treehouse (Credit: Johan Jansson)
Taking guests 10m high up in the pines, as if you are floating in the sky, the environmentally-friendly room has a stargazing terrace made of double roped net and its entire underside has been cleverly covered by ‘sixth façade’, a life size photograph of the treetops as they looked before the room was put in place. This means the building literally disappears from view from below, leaving just the image of the forest as it looked before.
The stargazing net gives a novel way to view the heavens (Credit: Johan Jansson)
The journey to reach the top is an experience in itself. Stairs and landings take you closer to the clouds each step you take. Inside, the room boasts large, north-facing panoramic windows - ideal for unparalleled views of the northern lights. Interiors feature natural materials, such as Norwegian furniture made of Scandia oak and sheepskin chairs complete the organic interiors.
A core value of the hotel's concept is to minimise environmental impact and to be as eco-conscious as possible, therefore the shower system has been specially designed for water and energy saving, the insulation of the building, the combustion toilet and Treehotel’s own signature water dispenser for the sinks also add to the environmentally conscious ethos. It's a heavenly place to be.
2. Suvretta House, St Moritz, Switzerland
Renowned as one of the most noted Grand Dame hotels in The Alps, Suvretta House, a century-old winter palace in St Moritz, has just re-opened for the season following a revamp by UK interior designer Sue Freeman.
Winter palace: Suvretta House (Credit: Suvretta House)
The renovation includes 23 new rooms and incorporates parquet flooring, hand-crafted rugs, embroidered cushions, bespoke furniture, statement wallpapers and luxurious fabrics. Room layouts maximise the spectacular views outside of lake, woodland and mountains.
Renovated room at Suvretta House (Credit: Suvretta House)
St Moritz, of course, is a jet-setter's bolthole - with elite travellers attracted to the glam Engadine Valley. Set in a pristine private estate, Suvretta House (translated as ‘house above the woods’) was built over 100 years ago by Swiss hotelier Anton Bon. With the likes of Evita Peron, King Farouk of Egypt and the Shah of Persia visiting for the winter months, the destination soon became a jet-set hub of cosmopolitan glamour, and to this day remains one of the most decadent mountain resorts in Europe.
Still owned by the fourth generation of Bon's family, his great grandson Martin Candrian, and run by husband and wife team Peter and Esther Egli, the 181-room hotel has its own private ski lift giving easy access to the Engadine Valley’s 217 miles of piste, 136 miles of cross-country ski trails and 93 miles of winter walking paths.
Renovated Junior Suite (Credit" Suvretta House)
A stand-out spa, gourmet restaurants and sports facilities elevate the hotel's offering even further. Factor in the turrets and Belle Époque exterior, and you could be forgiven for thinking you've checked into something from a modern-day fairytale.
3. Kostergården, South Koster Island, Sweden
This new opening, located on South Koster Island, is just the place for those looking to discover the western-most waterways of Sweden on a budget. Costing from just £108 per room (for two people) per night, including breakfast, the modern hotel is the idea spot for those wanting to explore the untapped region.
Main entrance of new opening Kostergarden (Credit: Kostergarden)
The car-free Koster islands are located in Kosterhavet, a marine national park, and home to around 12,000 species, both above and below the surface, as well as one of Sweden's largest seal colonies. It is a heaven for divers and snorkelers, while kayakers will enjoy the sheltered waters and secluded beaches. The scenic area is also great for cycling and hiking, as well as mackerel, crab, lobster or trout fishing and suits both winter and summer travellers.
Takterass Restaurant at Kostergarden (Credit" Kostergarden)
Made up of five bedrooms and one suite, the hotel rooms boast stunning sea views. There are also 22 cabins facing Kilesand beach with modern, Scandi decor. A sociable, buzzy space, the hotel also has its own restaurants. Flybridge, the roof restaurant with skybar is open during the summer months, while the main restaurant, KG, is open year round with two outdoor terraces and both serve authentic local food with a modern twist.
4. Ice Hotel 365, Swedish Lapland
Offering a unique addition to the world’s first Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland, which first opened in 1990, is the new permanent hotel which has just launched, adjacent to the original, and which will be open 365 days a year.
Offering the first year-round ice hotel experience anywhere in the world - allowing guests to sleep on ice in the summer-time as well as in winter, Ice Hotel 365 will be covered in snow during the cold months and green turf and Arctic wildflowers in the summer. The ice suites inside will be kept cool in summer by the solar power harvested from the Midnight Sun.
As well as a number of normal ice suites with designs that change year-on-year, you can also choose one of the nine deluxe suits. These offer a heated en-suite bathroom, private sauna and warm changing area adjacent to the frozen bedroom. The hotel will also feature a champagne ice bar and a unique art gallery made from ice. Winter activities include husky sledding, aurora chasing on horseback, snowmobiling, ice sculpting and sauna whilst summer activities include Midnight Sun tours, river rafting, mountain biking and a treetop adventure.
The Victorian Apartment, a deluxe suite, by Luca Roncoroni (Credit: Asaf Kliger)
The Ice Hotel is found 200km north of the Arctic Circle in the heart of Swedish Lapland. Every year, as the waters of the Torne River freeze over, the property is sculpted from the ice itself. Set in a pristine wilderness of snow-clad pine forests and frozen lakes, the Icehotel is the ultimate winter wonderland, featuring hallways lined with ice art, glittering chandeliers and atmospheric ice bar. But, when spring comes around in April, the seasonal hotel melts back into the river. By contrast, the newly opened Ice Hotel 365, will be maintained at sub-zero temperatures by solar power.
What's more, the area is accessible from the UK (in just three hours) with Discover the World's direct flight from Heathrow to Kiruna during the winter season. This season will also be the 10th anniversary of this flight - known as the Iceflight
discover-the-world.co.uk/icehotel
5. Chalet Edelweiss, Courchevel, France
If you are after snow with oodles of style, then head to Chalet Edelweiss in the French Alps, part of the portfolio belonging to luxury ski specialists Alpine Guru. The show-stopper of a residence is one of the most lavish properties in the area and at 3,000m², it stretches across seven floors, and includes its own spa on one complete floor and even it's own nightclub.
The spa has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam and jacuzzi, as well as two massage rooms and an in-house personal massage therapist on call. Opulent living is the name of the game here with enormous statement fireplaces, beautiful marble bathrooms, huge bedroom suites (there are eight in total), an impressive grand hall, his-and-hers dressing rooms and plush neutral fabrics throughout.
The private nightclub has its own dance floor, bar and billiard table - ideal for your own legendary Courchevel party, and there’s even a private cinema, library, office and professional kitchen. The latter you won't see, of course, as your on-tap staff will deal with any whim you may have. It's luxury, on another level.
6. Chalet Casati, Dolomites, Italy
Surrounded by the virgin forests of the Pusteria valley in the Dolomites in northern Italy, Chalet Casati, a four-bedroom, 16th-century hunting lodge, overlooks the vast Badia valley and is one of the most romantic places to enjoy a mountain vacation.
Bedroom at Chalet Casati (Credit: Le Collectionist)
Outside, in the summer months, guests can make use of the outdoor swimming pool and, year round, there's a sauna and wine cellar, the latter converted from a stable to showcase regional wines. Inside, charm oozes out of the wood-dominated interior - think intricate inlaid doors, traditional carvings and Heidi-Esque accessories.
Hot times: inside the sauna (Credit: Le Collectionist)
The dining room, kitchen and living room are based around Tyrollean traditional design with a nod to the modern with designer objects, plush sofas and sleek lines.
Lounge at Chalet Casati (Credit: Le Collectionist)
Carved chairs give a cosy feel to culinary times (Credit: Le Collectionist)
The chalet is bookable through luxury property and concierge experts, Le Collectionist, which specialises in bespoke experiences for each of its properties. On offer, for instance, at Chalet Casati are hot-air balloon rides with an expert guide knowledgeable in local legends and customs. Dreamy stuff.
7. Chalet Mon Izba, Verbier, Swiss Alps
Hidden away in the Sonalon area of Verbier, this five-bedroom chalet stretches over five floors - perfect for those extended family breaks (without getting on top of each other). Wood-panelled walls, exposed beams, oversized fireplaces, cinema room and wine cellar combine to give a modern-meets-Alpine design orientated hideaway.
A highlight is the in-chalet spa with indoor pool (which gives panoramic views of the mountains), and floor-to-ceiling windows, which open onto the chalet’s terrace complete with hot-tub. There’s also a hammam, sauna and massage room. Who said they hated the cold?
8. Chalet des Louves, Méribel, French Alps
Style connoisseurs will feel right at home in this design-led chalet. It boasts exceptional mountain views, made even better due to the numerous balconies and terraces, and its contemporary interiors combine nods to old and new sensibilities - wood with slate and steel, stone and dark rock. Black oval tubs, luxury drapes, velvet sofas give a soft edge.
Chalet des Louves: sleep tight (Credit: Le Collectionist)
The large living room on the third floor is built beneath towering wooden arches and has bay windows all around to let daylight flood the room while offering incredible views.
Relax in style at Chalet des Louves (Credit: Le Collectionist)
The Italian-style kitchen opens up to a vast dining room heated by a majestic stone fireplace - just the place for meals en famille. A games room is also located on this level, and a spa on the first floor is perfect for guests searching for chill-out moments.
Also on offer is a range of Le Collectionist's bespoke experiences. Here, you can meet with a former ski cross champion, born and raised in Meribel, who will give personal ski tours down the slopes. It's downhill all the way.
lecollectionist.com Mountain high: the best winter hideaways combine snow and style
