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Alpine Allure: The best ‘ele-vacations’ to discover in 2025
By Tessa Crowley | 16 April 2025 | Culture, Indulge, Travel
Explore the ultimate in elevated luxury as we share our pick of the world’s best high-altitude hotels, lodges, and mountain resorts. Discover privacy, panoramic views, and unparalleled access to nature.
While city breaks and seascapes have long been timeless holiday hotspots, 2025 sees sophisticated travellers swapping ocean vistas for mountain views. With ‘ele-vactations’ — that’s high-altitude vacations and mountain getaways — topping the travel wish list in 2025, the trend is off to a flying start with popular spring skiing destinations such as Whistler seeing ample snow, and Japan having a record-breaking season.
High-elevation escapes aren’t just for snow enthusiasts though. All over the world, destinations are inviting inspired travellers to enjoy the unique blend of fresh air, tranquility, and treetop escapism that make mountain getaways so irresistible. Whether you’re seeking soul-soothing stays, thrilling alpine adventures, or simply stunning surroundings and quiet indulgence, we’ve rounded up some unusual and unexpected destinations promising to deliver that “on top of the world” feeling.
Forestis, Italy
Evocatively-named Forestis is nestled among the trees of the Tyrolean Alps. An enchanting alpine retreat surrounded forests, the hotel embraces mindfulness and quietude, promising to bring guests back to themselves through Celtic wisdom, tranquility, and immersion in nature. While many resorts endeavour to embrace sustainability, few manage to reach Forestis’ lofty heights, being run on 100% renewable energy. This low carbon, eco-outlook is paired with a wholehearted commitment to luxury. No compromises here, guests enjoy exceptional fine dining overlooking the mountain slopes, while ceremonial drinks embrace forest ingredients from herbs, nuts, and berries, to barks, and fir needles.
For those looking to recuperate, a wide range of retreats embrace the tenets of preventive, high-altitude medicine, harnessing the power of its mountainous location. The expansive luxury spa offers a suite of saunas, treatment rooms, pools, fitness, and silence rooms, each furnished with a bespoke blend of local natural materials, according to the space’s use and needs. A hidden hideaway with panoramic views of the UNESCO world heritage Dolomite mountain range, Forestis offers a serene escape for recuperation and reconnection.
Nestled in the pristine wilderness of the UNESCO protected Orkhon Valley National Park, The Pavilions Mongolia offers seasonal summer glamping from June to September. Here, guests can discover luxurious ger (traditional Mongolian houses), spending nights under canvas, catching glimpses of the star-studded heavens above. Equipped with cashmere blankets and an enticing wood-burning stove, the ger feature specially crafted interiors and colourful Mongolian accents. Situated on the expansive steppes, the surrounding views are enchanting.
To explore, take a ride on the wild side and discover the National Park by horseback, cantering across the rugged mountains and rolling valleys of the Mongolian landscape in the footsteps of the Khans. Once back at camp, relax and recharge with complimentary Vinyasa Yoga, or experience traditional Mongolian healing massage with the resident Shaman. In the evening, talented Nepali chef, Mingma Sherpa prepares steaming dishes of fresh Mongolian dumplings or Italian pasta, while guests may be treated to the talents of one of the region’s roaming artists, or an enchanting piano recital by candlelight.
Minaret Station, New Zealand
Nestled in a remote glacial valley ringed by towering peaks, this luxury lodge is totally inaccessible by road, guaranteeing total privacy for guests. Arriving via helicopter, the Station offers only four chalets, each furnished with its own hot tub and spacious terrace on which to absorb the surrounding high alpine meadow, towering mountain peaks, and quietude.
For those wanting to embrace and explore New Zealand’s expansive mountainscapes, in winter those peaks tempt guests up to hike and heli-ski from their towering heights, while summer offers a wealth of long days hiking in the backcountry, mountain biking, or hunting with a guide in the expansive National Parks. Returning from a hard day’s adventuring, the welcome sight of Minaret Station offers a place to recharge and tuck into fine cuisine rustled up by the Station’s resident chefs; with locally sourced ingredients, produce from Minaret Station’s own farm, and award-wining New Zealand wines.
Six Senses Crans Montana, Switzerland
In the heart of the Alps, Switzerland’s Crans Montana is renowned for its pristine air, sunshine-filled days and serene mountain beauty. The ultra-luxury property has also garnered a reputation for its exceptional spa facilities, with the expansive array including heated rooftop and indoor pools, saunas and a recovery lounge, as well as relaxing pastimes from revitalising yoga and serene breathwork, to soothing sound baths.
If you can tear yourself away for long enough, Crans Montana itself has a host of gastronomic experiences to discover, from guided culinary walks and cheese tasting sessions. For the more adventurous, try surfing and paddleboarding at Alaia Bay, or even wood carving—a surprisingly meditative past time. In winter, traditional down-hill and cross-country skiing ignite the senses, or survey the surroundings at a more contemplative pace on snow shoes, before heading back to the Six Senses cocoon to sink back into the restorative spa for which it’s known.