Read on for alpine adventures, and don’t forget to layer your thermals.
Looking for inspiration for a ski honeymoon? Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have handpicked the most stylish slopeside stays for a romantic winter getaway. Read on for alpine adventures, and don’t forget to layer your thermals.
Zaborin – Niseko, Japan
Zaborin is on Japan’s northernmost island Niseko – famous for its wide-open powder bowls and tree runs. Guests stay in luxury villas, which each have two onsen baths (one inside, one out) filled with mineral-rich volcanic spring water – they’re secluded enough for an intimate two-person dip. Bring ski gear to experience some of Asia’s finest slopes in mountainous Niseko, and the traditional kita-kaiseki dining showcases the skill and technique behind the hotel’s ambitious multi-course menus, which have been shaped by the seasons and whatever’s been harvested from the hotel’s scenic setting.
Smith Extra: A bottle of local sake from Niseko brewery
Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence – South Tyrol, Italy
In the glacial paradise of San Cassiano, Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence’s 24 elegant, well-appointed apartments are very private and the hotel’s excellent concierges will ensure you feel pampered. Spend languid mornings breakfasting in bed; for get-up- and-go sorts, the spread in the wood-panelled dining room includes home-made jams, and organic breads and cheeses, and the slate-floored, terracotta-walled Lagació Bar serves jolt-awake coffees. Once fully fueled, pop into the on-site ski shop where you can rent or buy equipment, then hit the slopes. Evenings are mostly spent with a potent apéritif as jazz-fusion plays; in winter, there are hearty organic South Tyrolean bar snacks available on request.
Smith Extra: Welcome drinks; 10 per cent off spa treatments; and a 10 per cent discount on equipment and rentals from the hotel’s Alta Badia ski shop
Aman Le Mélézin – Courchevel, France
A world away from Aman’s trademark sun-kissed suites, Aman Le Mélézin’s rooms are inspired by the hotel’s alpine setting; they’re oak-panelled, neutrally hued and dressed in elegant French furniture – all have floor-to- ceiling views of the snow-dusted larch trees (mélèzes) that give the hotel its name. Framed by Capri-stone- clad walls and prettily lit columns, the hotel’s heated indoor pool is a beauty. It’s flanked on either side by inviting Jacuzzis – so you’re all set for post-ski soaking. The slopes are a short wander away, but the hotel’s wonders will keep luring you back in: Japanese restaurant Nama’s expertly sliced sushi, an impressive whisky and sake selection for sipping in front of your suite’s fireplace, and spa ‘journeys’ to embark on.
Smith Extra: A bottle of champagne in your room
Dunton Town House – Telluride, United States
With great powder comes great hospitality: Dunton Town House, in snowy Telluride, is an impeccable host. This cosy inn is a place where skied-out Smiths can hang up their salopettes, settle into a plump sofa in the central lounge, or wait till you’re ready to strap on your ski boots again in your quaint, Tyrolean-style room. After a good night’s rest, you’ll wake to a generous breakfast spread of freshly-made pastries and local cold cuts, with a side of mountain views. Just a two-minute walk away, you’ll find the gondola lift that will take you to the little town of Mountain Village for free; this is your jumping-off point for all things piste-related: ski lifts, ski schools, mountain passes and kit rental.
Smith Extra: A bottle of wine in your room on arrival; GoldSmiths get a bottle of champagne instead
Scarp Ridge Lodge – Crested Butte, United States
Scarp Ridge Lodge (part of the dreamy Eleven Experience range) is set amid the idyllic scenery of a former mining town in the Rockies. The lodge still looks a little Wild West on the outside, but within it’s luxe and tastefully styled – so guests will feel like they’ve struck gold. Homey touches include a cosy lounge area with a log-burning stove and a open kitchen set for mingling. Before breakfast, try a stint in the pre-heated sauna, or book yourself into a morning yoga class, to ensure you’re feeling limber for the day of skiing or hiking and biking ahead. Whether you’re plans involve snowcat skiing or just kicking back, you can be sure you’re in good hands. Eleven’s guides live and breathe these mountains, so they’ll ensure that – come rain, snow or shine – you’ll make the most of them.
Smith Extra: Shortbread cookies from a local bakery
With Mr & Mrs Smith, you’ll enjoy a best-price guarantee, as well as a little something extra on arrival at every hotel. To book, call toll free at 800 905 326 or visit mrandmrssmith.com.