Are you looking for the coolest ski destinations this winter?
Spotlight on Italy, Switzerland, and Northern Michigan with our recommendations for the coziest hotels to enjoy throughout the season.
Cortina in Italy stands for the Dolomites, Kloster in Switzerland means the Alps, and Harbor Springs, Michigan is home to the Highlands at Harbor Springs.
Two of the hottest European ski destinations are Cortina and Kloster, two very unique alpine villages loved by celebrities and those who adore the slopes. Cortina is Queen of the Dolomites, charming Italian elegance with amazing apres-ski; a storied history with distinguished guests like Churchill and Sophia Loren. Kloster is an Alpine resort village in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Popular with celebrities since the 1950s. For those interested in skiing closer to home, The Highlands is a favorite in the state, known for its varied runs, charming lodge, and outdoor heated pool.
Both European destinations have a wide choice of properties – hotels and private chalets – to meet the needs of every type of traveller, but for people who love the mountains in winter (and summer), two specific properties stand out – Silvretta Park Hotel and Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina. The two iconic properties are both centrally located in the villages and well known for offering some of the best views in their regions. The Highlands at Harbor Springs is inspired by the great manors of Scotland, situated at the base of the hill, off into the wood just outside of the quaint village of Harbor Springs.
Silvretta Hotel, Switzerland
Grand Hotel Savoia, with its beautiful terrace has a direct view of the Dolomites. The property features 132 guest rooms and suites, two restaurants and a spa with indoor pool. The hotel opened in 1912, when this part of Italy belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Cortina is a village where mountain climbers began mapping the Dolomites and legends like Hemingway and Bardot came for après-ski. A holiday rendezvous for Austrian, British, and German society, the Grand Hotel Savoia became the backdrop for The Pink Panther (1963) and 007’s For Your Eyes Only (1981). A truly classic, glamorous Hotel.
Silvretta Parkhotel has a direct view of the beautiful Silvretta Glacier and features 84 rooms and suites, a wide choice of restaurants and a spa with indoor pool. A family owned business, Silvretta has been open over 150 years, with piano bar, open fireplace, sauna and pool, and a mountain cable car ready to whisk you away. Great escape for family or wintry, romantic interludes.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs offers Resort dining, outdoor heated pool, ski schools, and an exciting Enchanted Trail, which takes hikers a mile into the wood for hot drinks and S’mores. Family oriented, The Highlands has not been in any movies that we know of but it does reside in the memories of hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Midwesterners. Beautiful snowy views of Lake Michigan from high atop the hill await alpiners looking for a winter getaway.
The Highlands heated pool and hot tub
See you on the slopes!