Exercise Your Winterlust: Three Cold Weather Escapes

Exercise Your Winterlust: Three Cold Weather Escapes

You don't have to be an architect to appreciate a well-designed building.

With so much innovation springing up, the discovery of cutting-edge architecture is becoming a factor when choosing a holiday destination. Design Hotels™ naturally encourages such architectural explorations and reveals a few highlights (think Foster, Citterio and Bohlin) for the winter season. Set against the stark backdrop of snow and ice, these pioneering structures in Italy, Switzerland and Sweden truly come into their own.

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Amidst the sweeping splendor of the Italian Alps in the historic spa town of Bormio, Eden Hotel can be found. Challenged with creating a design that would fit with the stunning scenery, architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners chose a modern sensibility, mixing subtle earthy tones with large glass panels to allow for unobstructed alpine views. At the very top of Sweden's picturesque Mount Förberget in Åre sits Copperhill Mountain Lodge, the creation of award-winning architect Peter Bohlin, best known for his design of the iconic Apple stores. Set within the largest alpine ski area in Scandinavia, Bohlin's bold design offers 360-degree panoramic views across the arctic landscape. Perched above Lake Zurich The Dolder Grand is both a historic landmark – the original building dating back to 1899 – and a testament to contemporary architecture, with structural renovations placed in the hands of world-renowned architect, Lord Norman Foster. Foster composed his design around the main building, with new additions on either side. With their gently curved contours, Foster's wings echo the surrounding landscape of rolling wooded hills.

Eden Hotel, Bormio, Italy
The hotel's four buildings and enclosing chestnut fence form a graceful single structure that harmonizes with its environment. The interiors of the hotel's 27 rooms and suites were carefully composed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners. The sustainable design works in dialogue with its surroundings for a true Italian mountain experience.

Copperhill Mountain Lodge, Åre, Sweden
The 112 room resort sits parallel to the area's natural tree-lined topography ensuring maximum exposure to daylight and striking views across the landscape. Guests now have the option of booking the private 700 square meter ski lodge. The Villa – with interiors by Norwegian designer Anemone Wille Våge – can accommodate up to 16 people and features a private kitchen, sauna and gym.

The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland
The 173 rooms and 2-Michelin starred restaurant boast an eclectic interior by award-winning consultants United Designers of London and architecture by Foster and Partners. The hotel offers a Swiss Winter package of two nights' accommodation, outdoor fondue, tickets to the open-air skating rink and use of the awardwinning spa, complete with a credit for treatments.