Alpine dreams
Inside the winter worlds of Ultima Hotel Gstaad and Ultima Hotel Courchevel

Alpine dreams
Inside the winter worlds of Ultima Hotel Gstaad and Ultima Hotel Courchevel

BOAT looks between the glittering peaks of Switzerland and France, at Ultima Hotel Gstaad and Ultima Hotel Courchevel – and why they should be on your 2025/26 winter travel list.
Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps and set across three interlinked timber chalets just a 10-minute walk from the heart of the village, Ultima Hotel Gstaad introduced a new benchmark in alpine boutique luxury when it opened in 2016. Recognised for intuitive service and excellence, the hotel has been a Michelin One Key property in the Michelin Guide for two years running and ranked the third-best hotel in Switzerland in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Each of the 11 suites and six residences has its own character, with fire-warmed sitting rooms, terraces that open onto sweeping alpine views and pristine marble bathrooms. In the two-bedroom Presidential Suite, there is even a private elevator, a dining room fit for a soirée and a kitchen where a private chef might prepare your morning coffee and breakfast before you step out for the slopes. Meanwhile, the hotel’s distinguished butlers and in-the-know concierges ensure every detail of your stay is attended to.
And what slopes they are - Gstaad’s snow-dusted trails wind between pine forests and glittering peaks, just moments from the hotel’s front door. Yet to think of Gstaad purely as a ski destination would be to miss its soul. This charming Swiss village boasts fine art galleries such as Hauser & Wirth sit beside boutiques from Hermès and Chopard. You might spend the afternoon browsing paintings, then take your seat at a concert during the world-famous Menuhin Festival.
Back at the hotel, a different kind of artistry awaits at Zuma this winter season, the acclaimed Japanese restaurant that has brought the spirit of Tokyo’s izakayas to the Alps. The menu is a celebration of precision and creativity, with marinated black cod in hoba leaf, wagyu tataki and yellowtail sashimi, to name just a few dishes. Cocktails are shaken by master mixologists and renowned DJs set a laid-back rhythm.
The spa, meanwhile, is a world of its own. It offers a range of treatments in partnership with Augustinus Bader and Seed to Skin Tuscany, such as bespoke facials, massages that seem to melt away time and wellness programmes tailored to every guest. Step into the outdoor Jacuzzi at dusk and you’ll see steam rise against a violet sky. It’s a winter retreat that promises the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Tucked into the slopes of the legendary Three Valleys, Ultima Hotel Courchevel is an enclave of 13 private chalets offering direct ski-in, ski-out access to one of the most prestigious ski domains on Earth. Courchevel has long been synonymous with glamour, with its a constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury boutiques and 600 kilometres of world-class pistes.
Opened in 2021, each chalet - whether one or five bedrooms - comes with the full services of a five-star hotel. Think marble bathrooms, private balconies, dressing rooms and staff who anticipate your needs before you’ve spoken to them. Wake to the smell of croissants and coffee prepared by your private butler, then step out into the crisp morning light for those coveted first tracks. By afternoon, the snow sparkles under the sun as you weave through the open bowls of the Three Valleys, pausing for lunch or champagne on a terrace at altitude.
For convenience, the hotel’s on-site ski shop ensures that every guest has perfectly fitted equipment and access to the latest gear, so you can maximise your time on the slopes. Beyond skiing, the hotel's team are experts in creating truly one-off experiences, from exclusive ski tours to skydiving above the area’s most famous peaks.
Returning to the chalet, the world softens again, with bath robes, squashy sofas and the hotel’s two spas - one with a mountain-view pool. xTreatments by Augustinus Bader and Seed to Skin Tuscany restore weary ski legs, while outdoor Jacuzzis provide the perfect spot to unwind. For dinner, the Zuma Culinary Residency brings a taste of Tokyo to your private chalet this winter season via room service or private chef. Imagine a skilled Zuma chef preparing a sashimi platter, delicate wagyu tataki or freshly rolled sushi. It’s exactly what you need after an exhilarating day on the slopes.
SPONSORED CONTENT CREATED FOR ULTIMA COLLECTION

SPONSORED CONTENT CREATED FOR ULTIMA COLLECTION

























