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Hotel Paradies Ftan – Luxury Swiss Mountain Hideaway

 

If you ever fancy escaping the city for a luxury break in the mountains, the Hotel Paradies in Ftan might be just the hideaway you’re looking for. Nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, this boutique hotel is really rather special.

It’s no surprise that the hotel is included in the prestigious hotel guide Relais & Chateaux. The hotel can be reached by car in about two and a half hours from Zurich over the Flüela Pass, a stunning journey with amazing views. In Winter, or simply if you prefer a quicker journey, you can take the Vereina Tunnel from Davos to the hotel. Of course you can always take the train and the hotel’s complimentary pick-up service will meet you at the station and take you to the hotel.

Hotel Paradies Ftan – Luxury Swiss Mountain Hideaway

At 1650m the Hotel Paradies has an idyllic location in the mountains. Whilst it may look fairly ordinary from the outside, it certainly makes up for it on the inside. The hotel’s spacious reception is furnished in a comfortable modern classic style and decorated with works of art and antiques by well known Engadine artists. Flanked by breathtaking panoramic views of the snow capped Dolomites and beautiful meadows down below, the large airy windows allow you to fully appreciate the scenery. There is also a lovely garden full of alpine flowers and inside plenty of reception rooms where you can unwind, including a well stocked library, complete with a large screen Mac.

Without exception the staff are welcoming and friendly without being stuffy. The manager Meike Bambach leads by example, always smiling and helpful. When you arrive there’s no standing around while you fill out your check in details – instead your luggage disappears and you’re taken to your room and you fill in your registration form at your leisure. Even before you get there, you’re called to check you can find the hotel and asked if you need anything prepared for your arrival – a pick up from the train station or maybe a snack in the room.

The rooms are comfortable, relaxing and well appointed and reflect the Engadine mountain style. Kitted out with lots of wood and glass they have an alpine feel without overdoing “chalet chic”. The suites are sumptuous and large, great for relaxing or simply admiring the view. My favourite aspect of the suites are their large balconies with loungers and parasols allowing you to take in the mountain vistas from the privacy of your own quarters. If the weather isn’t so nice you can always relax in the lounge each suite is equipped with. Complete with TV, sound system and wifi (for unlimited devices) the lounge is perfect to entertain or catch up on reading or emails. Each bathroom is spacious and diligently stocked with ample supplies of the hotel’s own range of toiletries – the body milk is especially good.

Hotel Paradies Ftan – Luxury Swiss Mountain Hideaway

The hotel serves up a host of gastronomic delights and its fabulous local food will no doubt be one of the best things about your stay at the Hotel Paradies. The restaurant “Charn Alpina” serves fine meat specialties and  the “Cucagna” excels with its focus on fresh local produce. Chef Daniel Stütz and his team take pride in creating wonderful dishes breakfast, lunch and dinner from locally sourced or home grown fresh ingredients.

The hotel’s sumptuous breakfast sets you up for a day in the mountains with a generous feast of fresh produce beautifully displayed. As you work your way through the organic muesli, cooked eggs, bacon, smoked salmon and wonderful breads you can relax and admire the beautiful scenery from the panoramic windows. The English breakfast tea was one of the best teas we’ve tasted in Switzerland and was served piping hot.

Dinner at the hotel is just what’s needed after a day’s hiking, biking or walking. The menu is inspired by the regions specialties and caters for a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. As well as using local ingredients in their cooking the Hotel Paradies serves local wines and beers.

They even have a beer which has been specially created for them by Biera Engiadinaisa in the nearby village of Tschlin. The beer is made using hand picked Melissa flowers which give the drink a beautiful yellow hue.

Perfect for keeping fit or relaxing weary legs, the hotel is equipped with a spa boasting magnificent views of the Silvretta summit as well as gym facilities. The Spa has a beauty lounge which offers a range of facials, treatments and massages. For those wanting to unwind there is an outdoor jacuzzi on the top balcony as well as lovely warmed loungers where you can relax and soak up the scenery. There are also two “Dutch Tubs” which can be hired for an additional charge.

For the avid yogi the hotel offers free yoga classes which is a great plus.

If you enjoy an outdoor adventure you can rent the hotel’s mountain bikes or for those looking for a more lesuirely ride, their e-bikes. Alternatively there are the most amazing hiking trails right on your doorstep. Watch out for the great wildlife – we spotted about five marmots when we were out and apparently if you’re very lucky you might even see an elusive Steinbock. There is also a very beautiful golf course close by and in Winter, there are 80 km of tracks and pistes for alpine and cross-country skiers.

If you have a passion for cooking book yourself into the Hotel’s own Cookery School. Located at Alp Laret “Chasa da Fö” which translated means “house of fire”. At 2,200m above sea level it is apparently the highest cooking school in Europe. The cookery school is accessible by a two hour hike (or a one hour hike and chair lift).

It’s small and cosy and located in what was once a pig sty! Its beautiful wooden interior is complete with an authentic wood burning oven. It is truly the perfect location to learn the classics of Swiss alpine cusine under the careful tuition of the Hotel’s very own chef Daniel Stütz (below).

So if you fancy nothing more than escaping the buzz of the city and recharging your batteries there is no better place than Hotel Paradies in Ftan – you won’t be disappointed. Its understated luxury and attention to detail is what sets it apart and transforms it into your very own piece of paradise – a true mountain hideaway and very, very special.

For details of the next cookery classes at the Chasa da Fö see here. For more information on Hotel Paradies visit the website.

All photos by NewInZurich with the exception of the first photograph of the hotel, the yoga photo and the group staff photo in the mosaic photo. NewInZurich stayed as a guest of Hotel Paradies. All views and opinions are our own.

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