Run by the Neuchâtel Swiss Alpine Club and located 3311 meters above sea level the Bertol Hut clings to a rocky outcrop in the higher reaches of the Swiss Alps. It was build in Geneva and reassembled on the mountain between 1896 and 1898. In 1976 it was rebuilt completely and it has been expanded and refurbished a number of times since then.
The hut has been run by a series of caretakers with Jean Geores and his nephew, Jean Favre overseeing things for 75 years between them – most of the twentieth century. Because of this, a family atmosphere pervades the place as ruddy climbers swap stories in the pie and soup-style restaurant or over evening beers as the sun sets on the gleaming glaciers. Bertol Hut hosts a number of spring and summer hiking races that attract competitors from around the world making this a choice destination for the Alpine enthusiast.
High above Lake Brienz, where waterfalls crash down mountainsides and the sound of rushing water mingles with the rattle of Europe's oldest funicular railway, sits a hotel that nearly became a car park. Well, not quite a car park, but something almost as tragic: a concrete "jumbo chalet" complex that …
A father-daughter duo have created something extraordinary in the hills above Manali - part spaceship, part anthill, entirely magical. Driving through the winding roads of Naggar, you'd be forgiven for doing a double-take when the Tree of Life Eila Art Hotel comes into view. Rising from the cedar forest like …
On a picturesque hillside in the Swiss Alps, Anakolodge stands out as something different. The seven traditional cabins scattered across two hectares of wilderness are the vision of architect and manager Olivier Cheseaux, who wanted to create a place where people could completely disconnect from the modern world. The philosophy …
Chalets Nebesa is an idyllic refuge in the middle of unspoiled nature in Kobarid, in the Slovenian Alpine region of the western part of the country. Nebasa means "heaven" in Slovenian, which is a fitting name once you open your eyes in the morning to a sea of clouds sitting …
Valais is Switzerland's incredible valley shaped by a glacier, cutting its way through two alpine mountain ranges. The scenic and diverse landscape with some of the highest glaciers and mountains of the Alps is an attractive proposition for any nature lover. The project owners, Lisa and Louis Papadopoulos, chose this …
The awe-inspiring setting in Southern Tyrol with the Dolomites peaks is one of the best-selling points of the Forestis hotel, but it also has the highest rooftop bar in the world. The Dolomites is Italy's spectacular mountain range with 18 peaks above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) and a UNESCO World …
Nestled within the stunning natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies, Glacier View Lodge offers breathtaking views and a little pampering. At the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains, you can see the highest peaks of Mount Athabasca and Andromeda. But the Glacier View Lodge offers something more than most mountain …
The grand palace of Hotel de la Coupole, with impressive French Indochina styling, offers extravagance in a breathtakingly pretty environment. The remote mountain region around Sapa is Vietnam's scenic getaway. The natural spectacle with beautiful rugged scenery and rich cultural life is a major tourist hotspot. Sapa lies in the …
Lake Lucerne, also known as the "lake of the four forested settlements", is one of the most magical regions in Switzerland. Its shoreline rises steeply into tall mountains. During clear weather, you can spot the icy peaks of Mount Pilatus, the Tomlishorn that stands at 6,983 feet (2,128.5 meters). Bürgenstock …
Aspen established itself as the mecca of ski enthusiasts, and it's one of the world's most famous ski resorts. The popular retreat is renowned for celebrity sightings, exquisite restaurants, luxurious hotels, lively après-ski entertainment, great shops, and four mountains with impressive ski areas. Aspen's mining heritage is incorporated into the …
