Do you miss travelling? We feel you. We do too.
The bad news is that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, so sadly, there’s not a myriad of options available to us to enjoy while staying safe. The good news is that you’re blessed to live in Switzerland, so you don’t need to go far for a change of scene.
We tend always to consider last what’s in our own backyard, but now more than ever before, it’s the perfect time to break that pattern. With the landscapes varying remarkably from one region to the next, just a weekend or a few days away can be the perfect much-needed holiday and change of air!
We have to say that our partners around the country have been remarkable in adapting to the current circumstances. They are all able to ensure the greatest health and safety while minimizing the impact on the overall guest experience.
To reduce the risk and avoid the crowds, we particularly recommend the smaller boutique hotels for a getaway. Lucky for us, Switzerland has some pretty good ones, topped off with enough natural area for everybody to have their own space away from the crowds!
Are you ready? Here are our three favourite boutique hotels around the country for a romantic getaway to remember:
1. Schloss Schadau, Thun
What’s more romantic than staying in a 14th-century castle set in a beautiful park on the shores of a lake overlooking the snow-capped and world-famous mountain peaks? Even a postcard couldn’t capture the magic of it. Welcome to the Schloss Schadau, a 9-room boutique property renovated in 2019 and oozes with romance and history.
The hotel enjoys a prime location to discover the Berner Oberland, one of the most spectacular regions of Switzerland, offering something for every taste. Whether you visit the numerous historic lakeside castles, go snow-shoeing in one of its hidden valleys, walk across Sigriswil’s suspended panoramic bridge, ski down Wengen’s famous slopes, go for a relaxing ferry ride on Lake Thun, visit the chalet village of Brienz or go for a stroll in the nearby historic UNESCO- protected capital city of Bern, you’ll never have a dull moment.
Tip: Go for one of the lake view rooms, it is so worthwhile to pay the supplement to wake up with those views! Oh, and don’t miss Sunday brunch… it’s a deliciously serious affair here!
2. Frutt Mountain Lodge
If you’re looking for the picture-perfect winter wonderland of snow but without the crowds, it’s time to head to this cozy mountain gem set at 1920m in altitude. The experience starts the moment you park your car, as you get whisked away by a gondola from the station up to the car-free village. Once you arrive, you’ll find your breath-taken away by the beauty of the untouched nature and the mountain peaks surrounding you … A godsent venue for avid photographers!
The pure mountain air and the lack of commercial development will ensure you take life on the slower side. There’s no need for planning; just do what you feel like: sledding, snow-shoeing, skiing, some R&R at the spa, ice-fishing or simply relax in your spacious room… the Melchsee is your oyster! No matter what you choose, we can guarantee that you’ll feel so far away from your problems. The hardest part? Coming back down to reality to…
Note that if you decided to travel with your little ones, you have the option of staying at the sister hotel, the family lodge, which has everything and more than a family could ever need!
- Tip: Not to sound too repetitive, but the “lake view” rooms are really worth the splurge. You won’t really see the lake in the wintertime as it’ll be under mountains of ice and snow, but you will have the whole plateau and its dominating summits open up in front of you when you wake up in the morning!
- Tip #2: If you’ve never tried ice-fishing, this is your shot. You can book an ice-fishing experience with the tourism office, and if you catch anything, the hotel’s chef will prepare it for you in the evening!
3. Relais Castello di Morcote
For those who feel like they need a little more dolce vita in their lives, look no further than the Relais Castello di Morcote. Once a monastery, this little family-owned property of only seven individually-designed rooms was beautifully renovated and appointed with taste, and today exudes plenty of charm and intimacy. The hospitality and coziness of the spaces will make you feel right at home.
Set only 25 minutes from Lugano, and tucked away just above the little town of Morcote, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful (and often overlooked) villages, it is the perfect base point to explore the splendour of the Ticino and enjoy a Mediterranean atmosphere. Don’t miss the classics such as iconic Lugano, the Italian-style Ascona, pretty Gandria, the natural beauty of the Val Verzasca, and the unspoiled little hamlet of Foroglio in the Val Maggia.
- Tip: Don’t miss a visit to the family’s 172-acre vineyards nearby, which features the impressive historic castle of Morcote or a private tour on horseback!
About Chantal
Born in Switzerland, raised in the US, Chantal now lives in Nyon with her husband and her two Bengal cats. She is the co-founder of Chantal & Max, a boutique travel design agency aiming to show travellers from all around the world a view of Switzerland that reaches far beyond the typical tourist map. In her free time to travel, cook and take one too many pictures! Oh, and she’ll never say no to a good fondue!
