Experiences
Activities
Things you didn't know you could do in the Alps
The summer experiences that change how you see the mountains
When most people think of the Alps, they think of winter. Snow, ski lifts and après. But the mountains in summer tell a completely different story, and the hotels that know how to make the most of them offer experiences that are genuinely surprising. From sunbathing in the Dolomites to exploring the Swiss countryside on an electric Vespa, here is what you didn’t know you could do in the Alps.
Castel Badia, South Tyrol, Italy
An 11th-century castle on a hill in the South Tyrolean Dolomites, Castel Badia is a base unlike any other for summer in the mountains. As the snow melts, the Puster Valley opens up for hiking through pine forests, mountain biking along valley trails and paragliding above the Dolomite peaks. Nearby lakes offer a cooling escape, while the Plan de Corones area rewards those who venture higher.
eriro Alpine Hide, Ehrwald, Austria
With just nine suites at 1,550 metres in the Tyrolean Alps, eriro Alpine Hide is one of the smallest and most intimate luxury hideaways in the Alps. The experiences here are rooted in the rhythms of mountain life, collecting water from a natural spring, working with stone and wood, learning the skills that have sustained alpine communities for centuries. It is a rare opportunity to connect with a way of life most people have never encountered.
FORESTIS, Brixen, Italy
FORESTIS is a boutique wellness retreat on the southern slopes of the Plose mountain in the Dolomites, where direct sunlight floods in from morning to evening, something most people would never expect from an alpine stay. With around 300 sunny days a year, Palmschoss is one of the most sun-blessed corners of the Alps, making it a genuinely surprising place to sunbathe. A spa rooted in Celtic healing traditions and a kitchen philosophy built around local farmers and age-old alpine recipes make every meal as restorative as the surroundings.
Grace La Margna, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Most people think of St. Moritz in winter. Grace La Margna is the reason to reconsider. Summer here goes well beyond the scenery, with sailing on Lake St. Moritz, horseback riding, golf and river rafting all on the doorstep. Back at the hotel, Beefbar St. Moritz has returned for summer with a new outdoor terrace overlooking the Engadin mountains, serving the finest Wagyu, Kobe and Black Angus alongside creative cocktails and Swiss Pinot Noirs.
The Alpina Gstaad, Switzerland
The Alpina is one of Gstaad's most celebrated addresses, known for its Six Senses Spa, exceptional dining and a setting that makes the Swiss Alps feel like a very good idea at any time of year. This summer, the hotel has introduced six electric Vespas as a new way to discover the region, winding through mountain roads, meadows in full bloom and valleys most visitors never reach. It is one of those experiences that is impossible to replicate any other way.
Crans Ambassador, Crans-Montana, Switzerland
An alpine summer in Crans-Montana looks nothing like the winter version, and Crans Ambassador is the hotel that shows you why. Panoramic views over the Swiss Alps, Spa Nescens and the Étang Long beach club nearby for lakefront afternoons. The hotel concierge can arrange a guided wine and hiking experience at the Oenoparc des Celliers de Sion, moving through local vineyards, tasting three wines and walking on to the Brûlefer guardhouse for a three-course lunch with a gourmet stop along the way.
Every hotel featured here is bookable through Little Emperors. Our members get the lowest available rates and added benefits across a collection of over 5,000 of the world's finest hotels, experiences and journeys. For these alpine properties, that means daily breakfast, a hotel credit, early check-in, late check-out and priority room upgrades where available.