Best Swiss Luxury Resorts

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more iconic mountain than the Matterhorn or a more typically Swiss town than Zermatt. Prepare to be enchanted on seriously scenic hikes, bike rides and mountain climbs and enjoy the finer things in life in the posh bars and restaurants. Look carefully and you’ll discover little Alpine chapels and Alpine lakes dotted around on the 400km of hiking trails, including glacier routes. To enjoy the sights without the legwork, take the half hour train ride to Gornergrat.

Lucerne is one of the cultural hubs of central Switzerland. Picture a fairy-tale town and this is probably what you’d come up with; the Renaissance and Baroque architecture, lakeside setting and mountainous surroundings make this one of the prettiest towns in the land. To really appreciate the setting, take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of the Pilatus for a panoramic view of 73 alpine peaks or look over the water from the medieval Kapellbrucke or the water tower. There’s a lot going on here in the summer – including the annual festival of classical and contemporary music which usually features big names from around the globe.

The clue’s in the name with Interlaken: it’s situated between two fabulous lakes, the Thun and the Brienz. As well as being easy on the eye, the waters open up a multitude of activities like windsurfing, water-skiing and fishing. Looming overhead you can’t miss the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks – home to some wonderful hiking routes. The famous ‘Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe’ train is a brilliant way to see over the Alps and inside the glacier. Back at base the vibe is chilled out and cheerful – party with the backpackers or explore the restaurants around town.

Freddie Mercury got it in one: “If you want peace of mind, come to Montreux”. The Jazz Festival put this town on the map - bringing Freddie and other big names like Pink Floyd and Miles Davis to Lake Geneva’s Swiss shores. There’s plenty more on the menu, from the restaurants (with 20 listed in the Michelin and Gault Millau guides) to the clubs (which make up some of the best nightlife in Switzerland). Fill your days touring the local vineyards, relaxing in the spas, or simply strolling along the promenade.

Saas-Fee is quiet and rustic, complete with old barns and narrow pathways but there’s nothing quaint about the activities: hike hundreds of kilometres, get stuck into adventure trails and cycle a gruelling stretch of the Tour de Suisse. If winter feels a lifetime away, get your skiing fill on the awesome Allalin glacier – look out for the pro’s who practice here in the summertime. At the end of the day, recharge those batteries at the Kneipp hydrotherapy area and Aqua Allalin or tuck into some well-deserved Swiss cheese from the local dairy. Then there’s the scenery – up in the Saas Valley, at the base of the highest mountain in Switzerland with sights of 4000m summits, it’s pretty dazzling around here.

On the top edge of Lake Lugano and 8km from the Italian border, Lugano is often called the ‘Monte Carlo of Switzerland’ which gives you a taste of the town. The San Salvatore and Sighignola mountains provide plenty of scope for hiking and the area also has some of Switzerland’s best MTB thanks to the bike park at Tomaro. Zip-lining is also super fun if you have a need for speed... The pace isn’t always set at full throttle – wander down the promenade or around the Piazza Bernardino Luini. The Renaissance fresco at the Madonna degli Angioli church is probably the best known of its kind in Switzerland.

Mark Twain called Weggis the ‘loveliest place’ he’d visited... and we’re inclined to agree. Known as the ‘Riviera of Central Switzerland’ and with a type of rose named after it, this is a seriously pretty village on the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne. If you’re not relaxing with a glass of Eggisbühler as you listen to one of the daily concerts, go for a scenic walk, hike or bike ride; the climate causes the area to bloom with hundreds of species of flowers throughout the summer. Take the old cog railway up the Rigi for cracking views of lakes and mountains and get a boat across the lake for a sight of the Rigi itself, which looms over the town.

Overlooked by the north side of the Eiger, Grindelwald’s the life and soul of the Jungfrau towns. It’s a mix of vintage Swiss and newly built architecture, topped off with sights of the big three – the Monch, Jungfrau and Eiger. If you can drag your eyes away from the mountains, there’s plenty to do, from walking and golf to bungee jumping and Via Ferrata. Kick back and watch the world go by in the evenings (best accompanied by a glass of chilled Valais wine).

Klosters is the smaller and prettier of the two Graubünden villages - and it’s near enough to Davos that you can still make the most of the larger town’s spas and bars. The village has a definite air of ‘country chic’ and its surrounding hills have hundreds of kilometres for walking, cycling and pony trekking (or scooter descents if you’re after something a bit unconventional...). Visit the Madrisa adventure park if you’re here with the clan – it’s the largest of its kind in Switzerland.

If your idea of a summer break involves rest, relaxation and gobsmacking views, you’ve hit the nail on the head here: on the banks of the Thun Lake and at the base of the Niederhorn, this peaceful village has a healthy combination of all three. Fighting the sights of the Bernese Alps for the title of ‘Merligen’s best feature’ is the weather, which is hot enough to rival the Med.