#1 Aspen Alpin Lifestyle Hotel, Grindelwald BE

The hotel name "Aspen" is derived from the local mountain hill on which the hotel stands, but for all the Swissness of this four-star hotel at the foot of the north face of the Eiger and on the valley slope of the Grindelwald-Holenstein-Männlichen ten-person gondola, design borrowings from the Rocky Mountains are definitely part of the concept. The feel-good atmosphere with a mixture of alpine hut and Colorado lodge is exactly what many weary city dwellers expect from a mountain hotel today. Two restaurants, a sumptuous breakfast, wood-framed rooms, good spa therapists and an outdoor whirlpool with a cinematic panorama crown the offer - and thus somehow also the guest. Double room from approx. CHF 400.-; hotel-aspen.ch

#2 Rinderberg Alpine Lodge, Zweisimmen BE

"Ski in ski out" - the magic words for winter sports enthusiasts only come true in a few hotels in the Gstaad holiday region. Even in the hotel icons, the ski day always begins and ends with a transfer between the hotel and the ski lifts. This is different at the Rinderberg Alpine Lodge. The middle station of the small, red gondolas up the Rinderberg in the Gstaad-Zweisimmen ski area is right next door. The 23 rooms set a cheerful mood, two saunas and a wood-fired hot tub ensure relaxation, and the good value for money is just as convincing as the wide panorama over the Saanenland. Double room from approx. CHF 225.-; huettenzauber.ch

#3 Berghotel Tgantieni, Lenzerheide GR

You can't look for a family-run hotel like this, you have to find it. Everything is genuine and authentic at the three-star Hotel Tgantieni and, despite the banal architecture, so cosy that you immediately forget the rest of the world. Situated 300 metres above the resort of Lenzerheide, it is so quiet at night that city dwellers first have to get used to the peace and quiet. After a good breakfast with homemade jams and Bündnerfleisch from the neighbouring farm, it's off from the ski room straight onto the Scalottas piste. Double room from approx. CHF 270.-, tgantieni.ch

#4 Berghuus Radons, Radons above Savognin GR

For decades, the romantically secluded inn on the car-free high plateau of Radons was a classic place to stop for alpine macaroni or a Kafi Schnaps. In 2020, it was extensively restored and given a new lease of life. During the day, hungry snow sports enthusiasts are still welcomed, but the historic Arvenstube and the sun terrace are now joined by twelve rooms with rustic class. For families with many children, there is the cabin room with six beds, including a pillow fight. The hotel can be reached on a one-and-a-half-hour winter hiking trail from the permanent car park in Tigignas. Luggage can be collected by snowmobile on request. Outside the operating hours of the mountain railways, you can also be picked up by snowmobile Double room from approx. CHF 270.-, berghuus.ch

#5 Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Arosa GR

The three-minute ride up the mountain on the futuristic "Tschuggen Express", the hotel's own feeder lift to the ski area, makes you think you're in a James Bond film. Conversely, the piste ends directly in front of the luxury hotel. After a day in the sparkling snowy air, the sauna and the steaming outdoor pool caress tired muscles. The "mountain oasis", crowned by colourfully illuminated glass sails, cannot be compared to any other spa in the world and is a real architectural throwback. The treatments are also reliably good. The restaurant La Brezza by the young top chef Marco Campanella is a great place to experience culinary delights, while the rustic cellar restaurant The Basement with a bowling alley serves delicious burgers, steaks and Graubünden specialities. Double room from approx. CHF 440.-; tschuggen.ch

#6 Cresta Palace, Celerina GR

Celerina is one of those peaceful Alpine villages that has retained its tranquillity, yet lies on the edge of a large ski area and has direct access to it. A few steps from the valley station of the Marguns cable car, which leads to the St. Moritz ski area of Corviglia, the Cresta Palace has been welcoming guests since 1906. The recently renovated four-star hotel exudes down-to-earth elegance and has a small wellness area and four restaurants, including the new "Asia 75" with pan-Asian sharing dishes. If the weather doesn't cooperate, it's only a few minutes' walk to the Olympic Bob Run. Guest rides can also be booked on the 1722-metre-long natural ice rink between St. Moritz and Celerina. Double room from approx. CHF 350.-; crestapalace.ch

#7 Stumps Alpenrose, Wildhaus SG

Grown from a simple mountain inn with two guest rooms and shaped for four generations by the host family Stump, the "Alpenrose" cultivates the value of unagitated constancy and does not want to be more than it is: simply a place to have a good time in beautiful Toggenburg. Everything can, nothing must: Morning grouches may suddenly be inspired here to be the first down the freshly groomed slopes in the morning. Those who are always on the go may feel the surprising need to simply do nothing for a day, to let the dream view of the Churfirsten mountains take effect on them or to treat themselves to a herbal stamp massage with local alpine herbs. Double room from approx. CHF 220.-; stumps-alpenrose.ch

#8 Chetzeron, Crans-Montana VS

While others are still queuing at the valley station, the guests of the Chetzeron are already swinging down the slopes of the uppermost ski spheres of Crans-Montana. The consistently sustainable design hotel at an altitude of 2112 metres was created from a former cable car mountain station. The views from the 16 puristically designed rooms (or rather from their smart window seats) are a feast for the eyes - you can hardly get enough of the parade of peaks from the Dom to the Weisshorn and Matterhorn to the Mont Blanc massif. A wonderful place for those who not only want to get out the weekly subscription but also appreciate savoir-vivre. Double room from approx. CHF 510.-; chetzeron.ch

#9 Bettmerhof, Bettmeralp VS

The pulse adjusts to the leisurely frequency with which the chairlift passes the room window of this homely Valais three-star hotel. Caught in an endless loop: down, up and down again. There is something downright hypnotic about it. Like the movements of the fondue forks in the restaurant, which make their rounds through the cheese. Or like the winter hikers who tread 72 kilometres of groomed trails in the breathtaking scenery of the Aletsch Arena. The ski area lies entirely above the tree line between 1845 and 2869 metres above sea level, which means a high degree of snow reliability. Anyone who has ever scraped through 1,000-metre slopes supplied with makeshift snow cannons will appreciate this. Double room from approx. CHF 240.-, bettmerhof.ch

#10 Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Zermatt VS

The skiing experience in Zermatt includes 360 kilometres of pistes in the midst of 38 four-thousand-metre peaks, as well as the possibility of a constant change of perspective thanks to the cross-valley connections. In the middle of this scenic spectacle, halfway between the Matterhorn village and the Gornergrat, lies the Riffelalp Resort. For many a hotel lover, it is the quintessence of a mountain domicile, with alpine authenticity and no pretentious fuss, but still so luxurious that after skiing you can swim directly towards the mountain of mountains in the comfortably warm outdoor pool. Double room from CHF 840.-; riffelalp.com