The Alps—Europe’s tallest and most sprawling mountain range—stretches across eight countries and 750 miles of terrain, setting the high bar for the world’s skiing, hiking, and biking pursuits. But that’s not all the region is known for. A new crop of design-minded resorts and chalets has made the region a destination for aesthetic feats alongside its athletic ones.
This winter, high-profile openings and renovations in the region, like the reimagination of Hôtel Saint-Georges by famed British artist and designer Luke Edward Hall in Megève and the buzzy opening of Hauser & Wirth’s Chesa Marchetta in the Swiss Alps, captured the design zeitgeist. But if you didn’t make it to these hot spots during ski season, you’re still in luck. Not only are many of these destinations open year-round, many are arguably even lovelier in the summertime. Even better still? There’s much to be learned from these aesthete Alpine designers on how to design a soulful home that works for all seasons.
While one might argue that some of the alpine charm lends itself to the winter moments, bolstered by the coziness of a crackling fire after a long day in the elements, the Alps are a year-round destination—and quintessentially “Alpine” interiors were designed to work in all seasons. One of the first tenets of Alpine design is to ensure that versatility. “We were very conscious not to design a “winter mood,” said Armin Fischer, founder of Dreimeta, the interior studio that designed Cervo, a 54-room boutique hotel nestled at the base of the final ski run in Zermatt. “The idea was to create a mountain atmosphere that works in bright summer light just as much as in deep winter evenings.” The layout of the hotel was carefully designed with the mountain in mind. From each room in the property, guests are able to see the Matterhorn. “The mountain remains the statement; the interior simply frames it and makes it feel effortless,” he added.
