A Summer Escape in Arosa: Alpine Adventures and Tschuggen Grand Luxury
An introduction to Arosa, a summer paradise in the Swiss Alps
When we arrived in Arosa in early July, we stepped into an alpine playground bathed in sunshine and cool mountain air. This idyllic Swiss village at 1,800m elevation is a summer paradise for outdoor lovers – offering 300 km of hiking trails and countless biking routes through lush forests and past crystal-clear lakes. From easy strolls like the Squirrel Trail (where friendly squirrels eat right from your hand) to challenging summit hikes up the Weisshorn or around the Schiesshorn (passing a thundering waterfall en route), Arosa’s trails cater to every level. Mountain bikers are in heaven here too – the Arosa–Lenzerheide region forms the famed Bike Kingdom, one of Switzerland’s top MTB areas. With the Hörnli gondola and the Urdenbahn cable car now running in summer, we even hopped over to Lenzerheide, doubling our terrain for rides and hikes. It’s not often you can conquer two Alpine resort areas in one trip, and the new connection made our adventures twice as epic.
Tschuggen Grand Hotel: Exceptional Service & Alpine Indulgence
After a day filled with mountain adventures, returning to the Tschuggen Grand Hotel felt like pure bliss. Perched high above town (with breathtaking west-facing views from our beautiful deluxe room), this five-star retreat spoiled us at every turn. Even with the hotel relatively quiet during our stay, the staff never skimped on service – if anything, their attention was even more personal and warm. Mornings began with a scrumptious breakfast spread featuring everything from flaky croissants to local Alpine cheeses. We loved the thoughtful touches, like a complimentary minibar generously stocked with drinks and snacks, and an evening turndown that left our room cozy and ready for a perfect night’s sleep.
The Tschuggen Grand is renowned for its wellness, and we quickly saw why. The spa – a 5,000 m² “Bergoase” designed by star architect Mario Botta – is built right into the mountain and utterly fabulous . We spent our afternoons unwinding in its pools and saunas, watching the sunlight filter through the distinctive glass “sails” emerging from the rocks. It was the ideal remedy for any tired legs! For dinner, the hotel’s main restaurant (the only one open on weekdays in summer) delighted us with market-fresh cuisine and Swiss specialties – so delicious that we didn’t mind the limited dining venues. On the weekend a second restaurant opened, adding variety with creative menus. Every meal was excellent, served with genuine care and a view of the sunset over the peaks.
The main restaurant offers simple dishes made with traditional Swiss cooking.
Perhaps the coolest perk of staying at Tschuggen Grand is its private mountain transport. Everyone is a VIP on the Tschuggen Express, the hotel’s exclusive little cable railway that whisked us directly from the hotel to the upper trails in under five minutes. It’s one of the very few hotel-owned mountain railway in Switzerland, a James Bond–esque novelty that never got old. We’d hop into the six-person panorama cabin and soar up to the alpine meadows above – an unforgettable, fun shortcut to start a hike or bike ride. Combined with the free lift passes for guests, accessing Arosa’s outdoors was effortless.
The hotel’s private cable car that transports guests up to the mountain in 5 minutes!
Short and Sweet Verdict: Arosa in summer charmed us with its vibrant alpine adventures by day and plush luxury by night. Whether we were conquering mountain trails or clinking glasses on our balcony at dusk, this trip struck the perfect balance. The Tschuggen Grand Hotel’s exceptional service, indulgent comforts, and unique amenities (that private cable car!) made it truly stand out. We left feeling rejuvenated, pampered, and already dreaming of our next escape to this alpine wonderland.
Contact us to book this exceptional hotel. We’ve seen every room type and can help you choose the best one for your needs.
