Whether you are a skier, snowboarder, or just prefer to curl up by the fireplace, why not brave the cold in stunning Alpine style? London-based The Aficionados, a design-driven travel resource for authentic hotels, homes and villas around the world, has just released its curated winter retreats, including the Petits Fours de Blanc collection in Switzerland. While each property is different, what links them is their unique design personality, inherent warmth and connection to their natural surroundings.
Located in the village of Vals, Brücke 49 embraces pared-down luxury with Nordic influences, resulting in a calm color palette of white, pale wood and black. The hostelry is tucked in a row of carefully restored buildings, some of which date back to the 1770s. The design ethos is relaxed and creative, and in a nod to the village’s heritage of craftspeople, the property also features a Butik (shop) showcasing clothing, textiles, books and ceramics. Vals is home to a small but mighty ski resort boasting 6,443 feet of vertical descent. The picturesque Vals village square is nearby.
This elegant home in Graubünden dates back to 1848, and Pontisella Stampa combines the homely charms of the past with a minimalist design. The bed and breakfast is named after the herbs grown in the home’s garden, and the design embraces a rugged simplicity in a stunning landscape. Pontisella Stampa is surrounded by the peaks of Agio di Sciora mountain range in the Alps. The village was once the home of the artist Alberto Giacometti, and his works can be seen at the Museo Ciäsa Granda. Don’t miss the regal 18th-century Palazzo Castelmur, which houses a museum as well as a performance space.
Villa Hundert will appeal to design lovers as well as outdoor enthusiasts. The hotel is perched on a sunny southern slope overlooking the town of Engelberg, in the heart of the largest ski area in central Switzerland. The dominant color palette is honeyed timber combined with black accents, and the design is cozy, thanks to a mix of textiles, subtle lighting and the use of natural materials such as wood and slate. Guests can enjoy skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing at Titlis, Brunni and Fürenalp. Make time to explore the village and soak up the tranquility of the Benedictine monastery there, which dates back to 1120.
Photography courtesy of The Aficionados.
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