I am always on the lookout for an amazing weekend getaway. This isn’t particularly difficult to do when you live in Switzerland.
When a work colleague mentioned the great views she had had on top of a mountain for breakfast one day, at lightning speed I checked out the hotel and booked our weekend retreat.
The hotel is called Säntis – das Hotel. Literally, Säntis – the Hotel, situated on Schwägalp, is set against a backdrop of some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Europe. The drive up to the hotel itself was a highlight for me despite the curvy roads.
Säntis – My New Favourite Mountain
Säntis is the highest mountain in the Alpstein massif of northeastern Switzerland at 2501.9meters above sea level.
As much as I wanted to have breakfast the next day on top of the mountain, the bleak rainy weather forecast the next day led us towards the Säntis cable car station (which is connected to the hotel) immediately upon arrival.
The views that greeted us were beyond spectacular. I couldn’t believe the panorama from the summit in front of my eyes.
We could see SIX countries from the top: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein and France. No wonder houses called Säntisblick (Säntis view) can be found in regions as far away as the Black Forest in Germany.
I loved the little binoculars like machine there as it gave the names of every mountain you could see through it – I had never seen such a thing.
It was wonderful to be able to look out and see the Bernese mountains we had recently hiked over the summer, or the Pfänder mountain in Bregenz which we were on a year ago on the drive back from Innsbruck as we decided to do a break at Lake Konstanz.
It was interesting to learn that the weather on the Säntis is absolutely superlative. Known for being the world’s longest series of summit station measurements, the rainiest place in Switzerland, the highest concentration of lightning strikes, the highest snowfall measured in Switzerland… it made the visit to Säntis that much more memorable.
Another thing that made the trip worth it was the fascinating new indoor experiential world on the mountain summit which included different things such as interactive media/touch stations, self-made experiments and more.
If only I was better dressed, I would have loved to hike around the area, or all the way down to Schwägalp or even towards Hoher Kasten where I was previously at on my second hike this recent summer. I was envious of the many hikers we saw going down the mountain as we ascended in the cable car or as we were walking around the viewpoint lookout terraces.
Luckily for me, I made that hike myself in June 2020. Click here to learn more.
Säntis – das Hotel
Alpine Wellness
One important factor I consider for a weekend retreat is always the wellness area. This hotel had a good one with a Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, steam room and a whirlpool bath with one of the most mesmerising and dominating views of Säntis. Click here to see a picture of this jacuzzi.
There is also direct access to the Kneipp path outdoors from the relaxation room. I was half-convinced I was going to die from the little stones that were pricking my feet as I walked on the Kneipp path in the freezing cold darkness, clad in just a bathrobe.
The Restaurant
I must say that I was very impressed by the food we had during dinner that night. Everything was particularly perfectly seasoned.
The pumpkin soup starter was simply divine while I can still taste the mouth-watering fish main course I had with the exquisite beetroot risotto.
Breakfast was a little more understated. What I did enjoy was the view of the idyllic alpine pastures next to the majestic rocky face of Säntis itself as I sipped my morning coffee and enjoyed the different local cheeses on offer.
The Room
The room was spacious and beautiful with a great view of the foothills of Säntis. We could also see the little cheese shop/factory right across the hotel which we paid a visit to.
Closing the curtains was inevitable as the cable car would pass up and down right outside our window.
My impressions
It was certainly one of the more memorable weekend getaways we have had in Switzerland particularly because of the majestic views from the top of Säntis. The good food and time in the spa in a beautiful hotel also helped.
Some of my other favourite weekend getaways in Switzerland include:
Whitepod, Monthey
The Cambrian in Adelboden (best breakfast and views from the outdoor pool, ever)
Leukerbad (largest thermal spa resort in the Alps)
Panorama Hotel on Lake Zurich (great wellness area, the biggest breakfast spread – even oysters and a chocolate fountain!)
Our Easter break on Lago Maggiore
Any hotel in Weggis (Hotel Alexander has a decent wellness area)
Our weekend in Meiringen from where we hiked the Felsenweg and went on the Hammetschwand Lift (Europe’s highest outdoor lift) on the first day and explored Aare Gorge and Reichenbach Falls on the second day.
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Do you have a favourite weekend retreat in Switzerland? Share them with me in the comments below.
