There is, in fact, a luxury hotel where the journey to the slopes begins aboard a private mountain railway, and the spa looks like it was beamed down from another planet. Welcome to the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa. It’s where alpine elegance meets architectural audacity, and sustainability is the entire blueprint. Arosa may not have the name recognition of Zermatt or the glitz of St. Moritz, but that’s precisely the point. It’s a quieter kind of luxury, tucked into the Swiss Alps, almost like a secret.

I stayed at Tschuggen Grand Hotel for two nights in August. I also hopped over to the sister hotel, Valsana, for dinner and a tour. Whilst I will expand on the very different, but equally worthwhile Valsana later, The Tschuggen Grand alone is worth the trip to the Alps.

Atmosphere

There’s a quiet grandeur to the Tschuggen Grand Hotel that hits you the moment you arrive. It’s not showy, but it’s unmistakably luxurious. The lobby is all alpine elegance: warm woods, soft lighting, and panoramic windows that frame the mountains like a mural. You’re in the Alps, but you’re also in a space that feels curated, intentional, and deeply serene. The vibe here is refined, but not stiff.

Staff greet you with the kind of ease that comes from knowing exactly what you need before you ask. The crowd skews toward well-heeled travelers who appreciate peace and discretion — mostly families and couples.

And while the destination was beautiful in the summer, it’s not difficult to imagine how Arosa shines with the snow. It’s easy to picture the convenience with which one would glide from breakfast to the private mountain railway, skis in tow, and be halfway up the slopes before most resorts have even finished grooming. The cozy lounges, panoramic windows, and thoughtful design all hint at a season when everything clicks into place.

Rooms

The Junior Suite we stayed in, whilst not even the highest room category on the list, delivered a kind of quiet luxury that’s hard to overstate. Ours came with floor-to-ceiling windows that opened up to a cinematic view of the mountains. No neighboring buildings, no noise, just pure alpine majesty. It’s the kind of privacy that makes you feel like the peaks are yours alone. The room itself was spacious and intuitively designed, with a private balcony that felt like a personal retreat. It allows for slow mornings with coffee, when you’re one with the world.

The rooms had everything and more you’d expect from a five-star stay. Plush bedding, blackout curtains, a well-stocked minibar, Nespresso machine, fast Wi-Fi, and a bathroom that walked the line between sleek and spa-like (yes, the robes and slippers were on point).

Grand Restaurant

Dining at the Grand Restaurant feels like stepping into a hush (but one that’s intentional, not awkward). Maybe it was the summer season, maybe it’s just the way things are done here, but the atmosphere was serene in the best way. No clinking chaos, no forced chatter — just the soft murmur of silverware and the occasional whisper of a breadbasket making its rounds. (And yes, the bread was absurdly good — crusty, warm, and clearly baked with pride).

They seated us by the window, naturally. At this hotel, every view seems to come with a complimentary alpine panorama, and dinner was no exception.

The food was refined, but without being fussy. For the starter, we had olive gnocchi with artichokes and parsley pesto (which was bright and herbaceous), and the vitello trota—veal slices with trout sauce and capers—which was a twist on surf-and-turf, subtle and briny in all the right ways. For the main, I had the pork fillet with balsamic jus, carrots, and potato rösti. My companion went for the monkfish, served with dashi beurre blanc, spinach, and roasted cauliflower. It was delicate, almost ethereal.

The service was discreet and polished. The kind where you never feel hovered over, but your glass is always full. The meal feels as though it’s part of the landscape — quiet, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying.

To end this evening, we stopped by the Tschuggen Bar for a nightcap. The cocktails were delicious, the atmosphere romantic, and the piano player delivered beautifully arranged classics that made the whole space feel timeless.

Bergoase Spa + Other Amenities

Even without booking a single treatment, the spa at Tschuggen Grand makes an impression. It’s not just big — it’s vast. Spread across four levels and carved into the mountainside, the Bergoase Spa feels more like a futuristic wellness cathedral than a hotel amenity. The indoor and outdoor pools are sleek and serene, with views that make you forget you’re technically indoors. And the sauna circuit is a a full-on journey: Finnish sauna, steam baths, snow terrace, and quiet zones.

As for other activities, we unfortunately didn’t make it to sunset yoga (traffic down had other plans), but the schedule was otherwise packed with movement and mindfulness options — from guided hikes to fitness classes and meditation sessions. We woke up early for a fishing lesson, which turned out to be unexpectedly charming. The instructor was warm and patient, and the whole experience felt like a gentle reminder that luxury doesn’t always mean marble and gold. Sometimes it’s just a quiet morning by the water with someone who knows what they’re doing.

Any overnight guests in this hotel (and any hotel in Arosa for that matter) are granted a magic Arosa Card, which is a golden ticket of passes and discounts to all things Arosa. This covers everything from the bear sanctuary on top of the mountain to public transportation and golf.

Valsana Hotel

I would be remiss not to mention the one evening we spent at the sister hotel, the Valsana Hotel, which is about a 6-minute drive from Tschuggen Grand. Valsana is Tschuggen Grand’s stylish younger sibling — and we were genuinely impressed. It has a totally different vibe: cool, modern, and effortlessly chic, but still warm and luxurious in its own right. Think alpine lodge meets urban loft, with a touch of Scandi calm.

What really sets Valsana apart is its obsession with sustainability — and I mean that in the best way. The hotel runs on a cutting-edge ice battery system that recycles heat from appliances and server rooms to warm the entire complex. No oil, no electric heating — just smart tech and a serious commitment to the planet. And it’s honestly not just greenwashing — it’s green living, and it’s woven into everything from the building materials to the cleaning products.

Dinner at their restaurant, Twist, was a whole mood. The space had that confident, contemporary feel — stylish without being stiff, and full of character and interesting people. The food was delicious, and the service friendly and attentive. I had the chicken breast, which was tender, and paired with sides that complemented it completely. My companion went for the ribs — slow-cooked and richly glazed. We also indulged in their cocktail of the day, the Royal Spritz, which was a citrusy, grapefruity dream that felt like summer in a glass.

Valsana may be “only” four stars, but don’t let that fool you. It punches well above its weight. It’s not trying to be the Tschuggen Grand — it’s doing its own thing, and doing it really well.

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FAQs

Q: Is the Tschuggen Grand Hotel open year-round?

A: No, the Tschuggen Grand Hotel operates in two distinct seasons. Summer season is from late June to early September, and Winter season is late November to late March.

Q: Is there a dress code for the Tschuggen Grand Restaurant?

A: While not strictly enforced, the evening dress code at our Grand Restaurant and at gourmet restaurant La Brezza calls for elegant formal wear.

Q: Is the Tschuggen Grand Hotel dog-friendly?

A: Yes, including welcome treats, water and food bowls in the room, dog blankets, and all other amenities your dog deserves.