Naturhotel Chesa Valisa, Hirschegg, Austria
The first certified bio-organic hotel in the Vorarlberg region, this 500-year-old building is now home to a soothing mountain retreat, combining a programme of outdoor hikes, indoor yoga and spa treatments with plenty of cosy spaces for relaxing with a book or just drinking in the glorious views. The nightly rate includes all of the above, along with free use of the local bus network, making it easy to get out and explore the local countryside. The restaurant offers excellent vegetarian and vegan dishes alongside the best organic local produce.
Doubles from £281, including dinner, B&B; naturhotel.at
Tauern Spa, Kaprun, Austria
A destination in its own right, the Tauern offers a sprawling 20,000 sq metres of spa facilities, including 12 indoor and outdoor pools, a huge thermal complex with 13 saunas and the Kidstein children’s spa, with its own pools, climbing wall and adventure grotto. Treatments range from Thai and Swedish massages to body peels, wraps and organic Thalgo therapies, with the opportunity to try snowshoe hiking in the surrounding mountains. In the evening, guests can choose from traditional Austrian dishes in the Lichtblick restaurant or a 10-course tasting menu in Finessen.
Doubles from £274, B&B; tauernspakaprun.com
Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa, Dolomites, Italy
Photograph: Fiorenzo Calosso
Gardena Grödnerhof is a classic Tirolean-style family-run hotel in the pretty town of Ortesei. Summer or winter, it’s location is spectacular, just moments away from the cable car that runs up to the Alpe di Siusi, the largest Alpine plateau in Europe. After a day’s skiing or hiking, it’s time to relax in the hotel’s marvellous new spa. It’s hung with chandeliers and boasts numerous steam rooms, saunas, a hamman and pools with mountain views. The hay bath and deep tissue massage are must-tries. There’s also yoga and a well-equipped gym.
Doubles from £297, B&B; gardena.it
The Comodo, Bad Gastein, Austria
Photograph: Matthias Heiderich
Brand new this winter, the Comodo brings a hip, bohemian vibe to the quiet village of Bad Gastein, with spa treatments utilising Gastein’s thermal waters, said to offer anti-inflammatory properties. The sizeable indoor pool offers wonderful views over the surrounding peaks and valley, with traditional and cutting-edge therapies, including magnesium treatments and plant power shots. Rooms mix contemporary styling with vintage furniture, and the restaurant does wonderful things with ingredients from local organic farms.
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