Photo Credit: Courtesy of Claude-Simon Langlois
From Vermont's snow-covered woods to the slopes of Hokkaido, these extraordinary retreats make staying in the best part of winter.
Winter vacations often revolve around getting outside, whether skiing, snowshoeing or exploring a new destination. But some of the season's best moments happen indoors, with a fire going, snow falling and no reason to leave.
A fireplace glowing beside a soaking tub. Snow-covered mountains framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. A private sauna waiting just steps from the bedroom. These are the kinds of spaces that make it easy to linger over morning coffee, settle in with a book or spend an afternoon doing very little.
From intimate woodland cottages to expansive Alpine chalets, these six luxury suites offer a different way to enjoy winter, with beautiful surroundings and plenty of reasons to stay in.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Claude-Simon Langlois
Twin Farms | Barnard, Vermont
Aviary Cottage
At Twin Farms, the Aviary Cottage feels like a private sanctuary tucked into the Vermont woods. Designed by architect Peter Bohlin and interior designer Thad Hayes, the two-story cottage combines glass, stone and cedar timber, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surrounding forest.
The most remarkable feature is the spa-like bathing area, where a sunken soaking tub sits beside a fieldstone fireplace, with snowy trees just beyond the glass. A king bed and warm wood interiors add to the sense of seclusion, while a private porch suspended among the treetops offers another place to take in the quiet landscape. It's the kind of setting where an afternoon bath can easily become the day's main event.
Photo Credit: Forsthofgut Nature Hotel
Forsthofgut Nature Hotel | Leogang, Austria
Garden Loft Suite
At Forsthofgut Nature Hotel in the Austrian Alps, the Garden Loft Suite makes a compelling case for enjoying the mountains from indoors. Spread across two floors and approximately 1,500 square feet, the suite pairs natural wood and clay plaster walls with expansive windows overlooking the snowy slopes.
A freestanding bathtub beside a wide bedroom window offers a particularly beautiful vantage point, with skiers gliding past in the distance. Upstairs, a suspended wood-burning fireplace anchors the living room, while a private terrace hot tub and outdoor sauna provide additional ways to enjoy the winter setting. The combination of warm interiors, mountain views and private wellness amenities makes it easy to spend an entire day without leaving the suite.
Photo Credit: Hotel Nesslerhof
Hotel Nesslerhof | Grossarl, Austria
Mountain Magic Suite
In Austria's Grossarl Valley, Hotel Nesslerhof brings a contemporary approach to Alpine comfort. The Mountain Magic Suite pairs warm wood finishes and an open fireplace with mountain views, creating a welcoming retreat after a day outdoors.
Its standout feature is a private rooftop terrace with a year-round heated pool, where guests can take in the surrounding peaks from the water, even in winter. A personal sauna adds another layer of indulgence, making it possible to move between the pool, sauna and fireside warmth without visiting the resort's shared wellness facilities. It's an ideal option for travelers who want the pleasures of a mountain spa in the privacy of their own suite.
Photo Credit: Six Senses Crans-Montana
Six Senses Crans-Montana | Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Four-Bedroom Chalet
For a winter retreat with family or friends, the Four-Bedroom Chalet at Six Senses Crans-Montana offers the privacy of a mountain residence with the services of a luxury resort. Natural wood ceilings, warm earth tones and expansive windows frame the Swiss Alps, while a stone fireplace creates a welcoming gathering place in the spacious living area.
Four king bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms provide room to spread out, and a private terrace offers another vantage point for the mountain scenery. Guests can arrange dinners prepared by the resort's culinary team, along with personalized spa treatments, bringing some of the best parts of the resort experience directly into the chalet. It's a particularly inviting setting for long winter evenings spent together.
Photo Credit: Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve | Niseko, Japan
Yotei Suite
On Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, offers a quieter way to experience one of the world's most celebrated winter destinations. The Yotei Suite features a private onsen overlooking a snow-covered forest, framed by walls of glass.
Natural stone finishes and understated Japanese design create a peaceful setting for a long soak, drawing on the country's centuries-old hot spring bathing traditions. Beyond the suite, Spa Chasi La Sothys features a series of onsens fed by mineral-rich natural hot spring water, with a wellness experience influenced by the region's Ainu heritage. With ski-in, ski-out access to Niseko's celebrated slopes, guests can spend the day outdoors before returning to the warmth of their private onsen, with snowy mountain scenery outside.
Photo Credit: Farmhouse Inn
Farmhouse Inn | Forestville, California
Barn One Bedroom Suite
Not every winter retreat requires snow. In Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, Farmhouse Inn offers a milder take on the season, with cool mornings, peaceful surroundings and inviting spaces designed for lingering.
The Barn One Bedroom Suite features a double-sided wood-burning fireplace, a separate living area and a spacious bathroom with a two-person soaking tub, steam shower and heated marble floors. Beyond the suite, the inn's Wellness Barn offers customized treatments, sound-bath meditation, private yoga and guided forest bathing. But there's something especially satisfying about returning to a warm fire and a long soak after an afternoon exploring Wine Country.
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