A picturesque mountain resort and spa town, Pontresina lies at the foot of the Bernina Massif. The perfect place for a skiing holiday during the winter or a hiking holiday in the summer, it lies in a sunny and sheltered location, amidst an otherworldy landscape of glaciers, high snowcapped peaks and lush forested valleys. The offering of accommodation is broad; our collection of the best places to stay in Pontresina include chic contemporary hotels and charming rustic boutiques.

Pontresina is remarkably old. While the first hotels were built in the 19th century, many old Engadine houses remain from the 17th and 18th centuries, with their beautiful decorated facades. Visitors tend to describe the village as fairytale-like and it is easy to see why: with its stylish Belle Epoque hotels standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Engadine buildings, all against a backdrop of high snowy peaks and lakes that mirror the sky.

Activities like ice-climbing, ski touring, snowshoeing, curling and cross-country skiing are popular pastimes during the winter season, the imposing peaks and glaciers being ideally suited to such ventures. As for families, they can enjoy the wide open San Spiert ski area, an area of slopes varying in size and difficulty, while flying down a toboggan run is also a must. The Lagalb glacier also happens to have the longest glacier descent in Switzerland, so experienced hikers should consider giving it a go!

Boasting over 580km of hiking trails, it is the perfect place for a summer stay. With some of the highest peaks of the eastern Alps, the Piz Palu and the Piz Bernina are well worth giving a shot, while the romantic wilderness of the Roseg Valley is wonderful to trek, particularly in the summer when the meadows come alive with wildflower. Experienced hikers should consider attempting the trek up the Diavolezza mountaintop, from where you can gain breathtaking panoramic views of the glacier.

What not to miss

• Hop aboard the Bernina Mountain Railway, a fun afternoon excursion that takes you past the most beautiful scenery in the region.
• Hike up to the top of the Diavolezza mountaintop and drink in the panoramic views.
• Go for a spot of cross country skiing.
• For a spot of romance, book a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Roseg Valley.
• Check out the Lagalb glacier, baring the longest glacier descent in Switzerland.

Enchantingly beautiful, Pontresina makes for the quintessential ski holiday destination but is also perfect for a hiking holiday. Browse through our pick of the best places to stay in Pontresina to start planning your trip.

The best places to stay in Pontresina

Value for money

• Berghaus Diavolezza: a gorgeous chalet overlooking the Bernina Massif, offering simple rooms adorned with wooden furniture, a hot tub and a private terrace. The restaurant has a world-class buffet!

Alpine idyll

• Hotel Albris: a classically Alpine-esque hotel high amidst pine-bearded mountains, offering rustic but contemporary rooms, a pampering spa, an excellent restaurant and their very own bakery! Great for couples.
• Gasthaus & Hotel Berninahaus: a charming Alpine lodge in a picturesque setting, offering simple pine-clad rooms and hearty regional fare served up in the gourmet restaurant.
• Hotel Steinbock: offering rustic-chic rooms with exposed wooden beams and clean contemporary bathrooms, it has access to some of Europe's best slopes, the restaurant is superb and the piano bar radiates charm. A lovely stay.

Contemporary

• Hotel Palu: with a glorious spa, modern rooms adorned with scandi-style furniture and an excellent grill restaurant, it makes for a fantastic stay. Great for families.
• Chesa Mulin: a contemporary 3* hotel offering simple airy rooms complete with lush and spacious bathrooms, hearty breakfasts and enchanting views. Utterly divine.
• Hotel Allegra: a charming and popular hotel offering smart and modern guestrooms with gorgeous views. Guests have full use of the Bellavita Spa next door. The perfect place for families to unwind after a long day on the slopes.

Boutique

• Hotel Roseg Gletscher: a cosy family-run lodge with an excellent restaurant and a stone's throw from the best slopes in the area, offering traditional pine-adorned rooms. A charming place to stay.
• Hotel Muottas Muragl: a gorgeous boutique hotel in a stunning location high in the mountains, offering rooms adorned with unpolished pine furniture and boasting epic views, a fantastic restaurant boasting a wide and varied wine list. Simply stunning.

Pure luxury

• Hotel Muller Mountain Lodge: a chic luxury hotel with an enormous wine cellar and easy access to the slopes, offering contemporary rooms with parquet flooring, crisp white linen and artworks. You have a choice of 3 restaurants! A spoiling stay.
• Hotel Saratz: a luxury Alpine property offering contemporary rooms boasting amazing views, multiple fine-dining establishments to choose from, not to mention a pampering spa and legendary wine list. Great for couples!
• Hotel Rosatsch: the ideal mountain base, offering elegant rooms, a spoiling spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a sumptuous restaurant.
• Hotel Walther: offering rooms that redefine the meaning of Alpine-chic, this truly luxurious and architecturally fascinating property is one of the finest in the area. With 4 world-class restaurants, a spoiling spa and fitness centre, it promises rest and respite in the pampering arms of pure luxury.
• Grand Hotel Kronenhof: grand and architecturally beautiful, this is the height of sophistication. A historic hotel in the heart of town, offering ornate and elegant rooms adorned with fine fabrics and hand-crafted furniture. A truly wonderful stay.

For an apartment or chalet

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of chalets and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• There is never a bad time to go: in the summer, the temperature can reach up to 19 degrees. As for skiing, the best time to go is during the springtime, when the temperature averages at around 2 degrees.
• Fly to Milan and get a train from Milano Centrale to Tirano, from where you can get a connection to Surovas. There you can either get a bus or taxi to Pontresina.
• If you want to rent a car we recommend contacting our partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include all our properties in St Moritz.
• Browse through the best places to stay in Switzerland.
• Or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Pontresina