46°42’42” N, 9°32’26” E Guarda Val, Sporz, Lenzerheide/Valbella, Switzerland

Maiensäss: an idyllic Alpine pasture dotted with cosy lodges and stables, where the villagers once summered their herds of cattle before leading them back to the village below for the winter. The rustic but refined Guarda Val embodies the spirit of this Alpine heritage while embracing modern comfort and sophistication.

The sun-browned timber and local granite of Guarda Val’s eleven former farmhouses and barns whisper of 300 years of history, of wildflowers and lush pastures in the summer, and of pure crisp snow and clear skies in the winter. Alpine locals have built on here for generations: but these lodges and rooms have been revitalized and are as luxe and stylish as they are traditional and homely. Take in breath-taking views over the valley and gaze at stunning Alpenglow sunsets framed by weathered spruce. Après ski, cozy up by private fireside, or wander through the snow-dusted village-like Guarda Val to the on-site spa, for a sauna and hayloft massage.

In the Stailetta (little star) lodge, stargaze from the balcony on a crisp mountain evening, or from beneath a domed skylight as you soak in your own private whirlpool. Romantic, four-poster beds are adorned with fresh white linens, and the luxurious bathrooms are accented with local granite. Sky-watching from your bed in the two-story gable suites also, or throw open the windows of the farmer’s suite to expansive views of the Albula valley. The generous mountain pasture rooms are housed within Guarda Val’s oldest building, the Tgiesa Fux Alpine lodge. In the rebuilt Tgiesa Gantner, the dairyman’s rooms offer discrete luxury plus traditional touches, and the shepherd’s and cuddle rooms continue the theme of rustic refinement and comfort within smaller, cosier spaces.

How far to the nearest…

• Neighbour 25m
• Ski lift 2km
• Town Located within Sporz, 3.2km to Lenzerheide
• Café/Restaurant 3km
• Airport 147km (Zurich airport)

Location Set within the tiny, charming hamlet of Sporz, some 1600m above sea level, and flanked by snow-topped mountains and rolling mountain pastures, you can be forgiven for imagining there is no-one else around for miles. Restaurants, hiking and biking trails, and ski resorts are all within easy reach, however.

Build Natural local timber lodges and barns including some 300 year old structures have been refreshed with modern amenities without losing any alpine charm. Exposed wooden beams, local granite, and whitewashed plaster combine nature and comfort. Luxurious beds with pure white linens. Hay beds for naps.

Environment In a high valley of the Swiss Alps, ringed by mountains on all sides, winter brings a blanket of pristine white snow, while summer ushers in carpets of wildflowers. Turquoise alpine lakes glimmer among lush green forests, and the stars have never seemed more within reach.

Digital detox Wifi on demand.

Creature comforts Sauna. Outdoor hot tub. Massages in the hayloft. Two on-site restaurants and one bar. Complimentary European breakfast, and daily coffee and cake buffet. Bathrobes and slippers. Climate control. Hot tubs and skylights in some rooms.

Keep watch for the spring and fall tradition of moving the cattle from the high pastures back down to the valleys below and then bringing them up again in autumn and spring, accompanied by the Bättruf call to prayer or the Alpsäge blessing. And while the long sunlit days of the brief high mountain summer beckon from May until September, and the allure of fresh snowfall calls from December until Easter, autumn brings golden larches and beautiful hiking. Wandering further, explore the car-free old town of Chur, or explore the ruins of the burgruine Belfort. And no matter the season, lose yourself to the towering majesty of the Alps.

Engage

The Alps are paradise for the adventurous, with unparalleled skiing across hundreds of kilometres of trails, and the valley’s promise all-day sunlight on either side — or even enjoy night skiing on Alp Stätz. Downhill thrills await, but there is also an extensive network of cross-country and snowshoe trails. When the snow recedes, mountain bike or hike the surrounding mountain peaks, or take the Parpaner Rothorn gondola for a less exhausting journey to the summit. For a more leisurely day, stroll the Heidsee lakeshore, or stay put at Guarda Val for a day of exquisite pampering at the Guarda Sana with a dip in the outdoor hot-tub and a skin-smoothing soak in the whey bath.

Savour

With on-site options from the upscale to the relaxed, Guarda Val is an exclusive Alpine village of its own. For the finest dining, the Michelin-starred Restaurant Guarda Val, housed in the authentic but beautifully updated cow byre, takes the seasonal bounty of the Maiensäss and redefines gourmet dining with verve and elegance, paired with Bündner Herrschaft wines. Family-style dining and local cuisine, especially Lenzerheidner cheese, is the soul of Crap Naros restaurant, where you are encouraged to lick your plate clean. The view is best appreciated from Bar Sporzer, either for a cake buffet in the afternoon, or evening cocktails. All the food and drink can be enjoyed on the Sul Tegt sun terraces, perfect for lingering late on a summer night.

Go slow

Hike to a majestic waterfall or plunging gorge. Star-watch on a crisp autumn night, or marvel as the Alpenglow transform the peaks on a winter’s morning. Travel back in time to experience the traditional Grisons (Graubünden) life and craftwork, or forage for mushrooms beneath the shadows of the Alps. Or take the highest Alpine rail-trip on the stunning Glacier Express leg of the Rhaetian railway, one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, which departs from the nearby village of Chur on regular excursions.