ULTIMATE SWISS CURE FOR STRESS

WHEn I arrive at Tschuggen grand Hotel in the mountain town of arosa, switzerland, I am larger than is quite decent and totally unfit. The past month has been spent in a state of adrenal overload, thanks to a stint at the Edinburgh Festival doing stand up, a chat show, a podcast, as well as setting up a literary prize for witty female authors.

I am, shall we say, emotionally spent. I can barely heave my fat bottom in and out of a taxi. I desperately need to breathe and take stock. Thankfully, and in the nick of time, I find myself in what is both a luscious designer hotel and a state of the art spa.

sails of glass and steel showcase an underground maze of saunas, pools and sun spots that are blasted out of the mountain itself. It’s the most perfect and cleverly natural space for reflection — as well as quality massages and facials, obviously.

My dedicated fitness trainer for the weekend is Julian, an expert in fascia body correction and deep breathing. Fascia is the connective tissue surrounding our muscles, organs and bones, which Julian massages with the help of a plastic roller. He also plots a posture-correcting training plan for me that I can do at home.

Famed for its pure air, Tschuggen started life as a sanitorium for lung patients and it’s not long before Julian has me hiking up the mountain. We cover two miles without me even puffing.

supper is in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant — heavenly food accompanied by stunning swiss wine. I return home happier, fitter, and more optimistic thanks to this stunningly friendly, top-of-the-range health oasis in sky.

TSChuGGen Grand hotel is available from approximately £292 per room per night, based on two adults sharing a Double Bergoase room. See tschuggen.ch or call 00 41 81 378 9999.