Three stays with lofty views
Mountains make for breathtaking backdrops at these luxury hotels. Chris Carter reports
The Titanic of the mountains
Canfranc International, the “glorious” Beaux-Arts railway station on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees that once linked France and Spain, was called “the Titanic of the mountains” when it opened in 1928, says Jo Knowsley in the Daily Mail. It is ten times bigger than St Pancras station in London. But over the decades, it suffered the ravages of fire, war and the issue of the French and Spanish using railway gauges of different widths, meaning people and goods had to change trains. It finally closed in 1970.
Recently, the building has reopened following an extensive refit as the Canfranc Estacion, a luxury retreat and part of the Barcelo Hotel Group. “There’s a buzz in the lobby, once the lofty customs hall, with the coat of arms of France high on one wall and that of Spain on the wall above reception.” The suites are dressed in the station’s traditional colours of cream and sage green, with unobscured views of the mountains.
“If you’re holidaying in the Pyrenees… it would be a tragedy to give this extraordinary slice of history a miss.”
From £133, barcelo.com
Europe’s coolest mountain hotel
The Comodo hotel in the Austrian Alps is a “bold departure” from the usual wood panelling, sheepskin throws and antlers on the walls, says Tom Robbins in the Financial Times.
This “funky mid-century treat” was formerly a sanatorium and convalescent home. Several notable figures from history, including Emperor Wilhelm I of Germany and author William Somerset Maugham, have taken the waters here. But as of this year, it is quite possibly Europe’s newest and “coolest mountain hotel”.
The “rich” colour schemes in the bedrooms are of bottlegreen and burgundy, while some have “beautiful” tan-leather daybeds. But the most stunning of all are the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the whole of the Gastein valley or the mountains on the other side of the hotel. Although skiing in winter is very much an option here, the resort of Bad Gastein is really more of a historic spa
“Wandering through the gardens to sundowners… is botanical rapture”
town “with lifts and pistes added as an afterthought”. From €268, thecomodo.com
At the foot of Africa’s highest peak
The new Olinto hotel in Morocco provides guests with “humbling” views of the Atlas Mountains “amid a valley oasis of exquisite taste and resplendent gardens”, says Rosalyn Wikeley in Condé Nast Traveller. Pools are “framed by white roses and olive trees, wrought iron chairs twisting towards trickling streams, and rooms toying with sunlight through crittall iron doors”. The earthen walls, doors and ironwork “reflect the surrounding shade of the mountains, while adhering to traditional… artisanal techniques. Wandering through the gardens to sundowners on the green-glazed roof terrace… is botanical rapture, with lake reeds and soft grasses shifting gently in the hot breeze” against the mountain backdrop.
Olinto occupies a “privileged spot” at the foot of north Africa’s highest peak, Mount Toubkal, making it a “fine launching point for spectacular hikes and climbs”.
From £600, olinto.net