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Our writer Lucy headed into the mountains to explore everything Davos in Switzerland has to offer, with beautiful scenery, traditional activities and comforting local food
Fancy a cosy stay in the mountains, with scenic views and perhaps an Aperol Spritz in hand, but without any intense winter sports? As non-skiers, we found all this and more less than two hours from London as we embarked on a magical journey to Davos in the Swiss Alps. Flying into Zurich, a relaxing weekend awaited us, and we discovered this spectacular destination has something for everyone all year round.
How to get to Davos
If unwinding in nature is what you’re after, then your holiday starts from the moment you land in Zurich. There are two travel options to Davos from here: a five-hour train journey or a two-hour car ride.
We opted for the car ride, and enjoyed gazing out of the windows at the endless green hills with idyllic little houses and flowery meadows, with snowy trees and peaks in the distance. As we headed into the mountains towards our hotel, we drove past Lake Davos and were in awe of how blue the water was.
Where to stay in Davos
We stayed at Hard Rock Hotel Davos, which offered a unique twist to our relaxing getaway. Don’t be put off by the ‘hard rock’ name – the hotel perfectly combines music with relaxation, helping us to completely unwind.
Dating back to the 19th Century, part of the building was once one of many hospitals in the area, where patients would come to breathe in the clean and dry air as it was believed this could help treat diseases. Some original features, such as balconies, remain at the luxury modern hotel, making it the perfect space to soak up some Swiss sun and admire the picturesque mountains.
There are cool music touches around the hotel, such as QR codes in the bathrooms that bring up a shower playlist, while our massages at the Rock Spa included subtle but effective bass vibrations that rippled through our beds and matched the tempo of the calming music in the room. It was so relaxing we nodded off.
What to do around Davos
Sun, drinks, comfort food, good music and dancing… If this sounds like your idea of a good time, then aprés ski is for you – all year round.
We were delighted to discover we could hop on a cable car and head to the bars in the mountains without a ski pass. Our tour guide planned ahead and booked a table to beat the queues, which allowed us to indulge in a sit-down meal. We had to try the local food, including the comforting dish of bratwurst sausage with rösti and gravy.
We had no idea such a fun atmosphere could be found up in the mountains, seemingly miles away from the rest of the world. Forget nightclubs – daytime drinks in the sun, close to the clouds, is where it’s at.
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A luxurious four star hotel in Davos that combines music with relaxation.
Davos is famous for skiing and snow sports and, of course, it’s a perfect destination if you love to do this and you’re travelling in ski season. We were told that only about 5% of Hard Rock Hotel’s guests come solely to stay in the hotel – which wasn’t a huge shock as there is so much to do and see in the local area.
A factory tour of Christoffel Rötali Davos, where traditional homemade cherry liquor Bündner Röteli is made, is a must. Lasting around two hours, the tour includes a personal interaction with founder Patrick Christoffel, a welcome aperitif and Röteli tasting, plus hearing plenty of fascinating stories about this Davos specialty. You also get to pour and seal your own bottle to take home with you.
If you’re after something on the sportier side, don’t leave Davos without trying an outdoor activity, such as snow walking in the winter, or hiking or biking in the summer. There are plenty of guided routes and different levels depending on experience – and you’re absolutely spoilt with stunning views.
The food
Our guide took us on a magical drive around the mountains, through a tiny village and past a crystal clear (and drinkable) river to a cosy and authentic Swiss restaurant, Walserhuus Sertig. It’s located by the idyllic Sertig Valley and at the foot of the Mittaghorn, Plattenflue and Hoch Ducan mountains and boasts warm lighting, wooden interiors and a friendly atmosphere. We were treated to a bubbling cheese fondue with a variety of nibbles, bread and potatoes to dunk into it. Delicious!
How much does it cost?
Rooms at Hard Rock Hotel Davos start from £146 in summer and £219 in winter for a double room.
