As days grow shorter and the glow of autumn turns into colder winter days, Kempinski Hotels’ alpine hideaways promise a warm welcome and a collection of refined experiences designed with the winter season in mind. From rejuvenating spa treatments and outdoor excursions crafted to immerse guests in the winter wonderland of each unique destination, to decadent dining inspired by the spirit of the festive season, these mountain retreats are serving up a slice of winter magic.
From gingerbread decorating and storytelling for little guests to horse-drawn sleigh rides, torch-lit hikes and snowshoeing, festive magic is everywhere at Kempinski Palace Engelberg, the Belle Epoque masterpiece in the heart of the Swiss Alps. The season begins with the popping of Champagne corks at Chalet Ruinart on 21 November, a timber chalet where Swiss specialities like fondue and raclette are accompanied by Ruinart Champagne until 29 March. Christmas Stories for kids and adults are hosted in the Lobby Lounge on Saturday afternoons from 29 November until Christmas, accompanied by warm hot chocolate and cinnamon and ginger biscuits for the kids, while adults enjoy a glass of mulled or sparkling wine in The Palace Bar. On 30 November, everyone will gather in the lobby for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony serenaded by the Engelberg children’s choir, followed by the unveiling of a beautifully decorated advent window on 4 December. Dining experiences celebrate the best of the season: Festive Afternoon Tea takes place daily in the conservatory from 29 November to 11 January; Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining at Cattani Restaurant promise refined dining with live music and candlelight; while sparkling New Year’s Eve celebrations will ring in 2026 in style in Cattani and Kursaal.
Set on the glamorous shores of Lake St. Moritz, Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski offers unrivalled access to the winter wonderland of the Engadin Valley. The legendary hotel opens this season on 5 December to unveil the most ambitious evolution in its recent history, with a boldly reimagined culinary landscape, 67 renovated guestrooms and an exclusive partnership with Italian fashion house Eleventy. Winter marks the return of the outdoor Beluga Igloo, which made the hotel St. Moritz’s most coveted destination for al fresco indulgence last year, and the hotel’s main bar is reborn as the Quintessence Bar & Lounge, a stylish stage for liquid storytelling. From curated barista journeys by day to the immersive Macallan Experience by night, Quintessence is set to become the premier address for elevated libations. Former gourmet restaurant Da Adriano has been transformed into the first outpost of Crazy Pizza in the Swiss Alps, bringing the Italian brand’s playful DNA to an elegant St. Moritz setting. This season also sees the debut of Neora, the Engadin’s first and only restaurant dedicated to the primal art of Greek open-flame cooking, where the flickering warmth of the Aegean Isles provides an unexpected counterpoint to the crisp mountain air.
Cradled in a valley in the heart of the Bavarian Alps surrounded by some of the most majestic scenery in Germany, Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden welcomes the changing of the seasons with a programme of festive experiences. Winter in Berchtesgaden means scenic hikes on the forested slopes of Jenner Mountain accompanied by the hotel’s activity concierge; sledding or snowshoeing at family-friendly Hochschwarzeck mountain resort; and weekly torchlit hikes from the hotel every Friday evening. Nearby Königssee Lake is picturesque at any time of year, especially when the first snows dust the landscape, while magical sleigh rides and high-speed tobogganing blend effortless elegance with high-octane adventure. Come December, the advent markets in Berchtesgaden and nearby Salzburg bring family magic and festive wonder. Even in the coldest months, the temperature in Berchtesgaden salt mine remains at a steady 12-degrees, making it one of the region’s favourite year-round attractions. In the warm surroundings of the hotel, the epicurean delights of two-Michelin-star Gourmet Restaurant PUR include an advent winter menu and a New Year’s Eve kitchen party. At The Spa, rejuvenating experiences designed to sooth and revive include the Salt Stone Massage, which eases sore muscles, releases stiff joints and relieves tension after a day on the mountain, and the Alpine Bespoke Massage, which is fully tailored to guest preferences.
Known as the winter capital of the Balkans, Bansko is a haven for skiing, winter sports and outdoor activities in the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of southwestern Bulgaria. As the only ski-in/ski-out hotel in the area, Kempinski Grand Arena Bansko is the place to be when ski season begins on 13 December. Set at the foot of the gondola station that provides access to 75 kilometres of ski slopes and surrounded by the snow-dusted peaks of the Pirin Mountains, the hotel also affords easy access to Bansko’s open-air ice rink, snow shoeing and snowmobile adventures. On the doorstep, mighty Tordorka peak plays host to international ski and snowboard tournaments and serves as the gateway to Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where scenic trails lead through old-growth pine forest. Bringing balance and harmony to the winter season, Kempinski The Spa is the perfect place to rejuvenate after a day in the mountains. Home to a collection of hot and cold treatments including Finnish and herbal saunas, aroma steam baths, infrared cabin and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the spa also welcomes a rotating calendar of visiting practitioners. This festive season sees a trio of eastern wellness offerings: Thai therapies with Paulneel Jauianen, tailor-made Ayurveda treatments with Suraj Varma and Traditional Chinese Medicine with Dr. John Sanchez.
Set on the banks of picturesque Lake Strbske Pleso and framed by the peaks of the Carpathian Mountains, Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras is a fairytale hideaway near the border between Slovakia and Poland. When snow blankets the land, days are filled with downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobile safaris and dogsledding adventures across the winter landscape, before returning to the hotel for moments of reflection while admiring the landscape from the panoramic swimming pool. This winter, Juniper Tonic massage oil brings an extra touch of magic to rejuvenating treatments at Zion Spa Luxury. A unique treatment using warm oil and herbal pouches that release muscle tension after hiking or skiing, the oil is inspired by the typical Slovak juniper brandy called Borovička. It contains juniper, which relieves tense muscles, pine for breathing and relaxation, antioxidant sage and antidepressant lemongrass. After a day outside and fireside cocktails in the Lobby Lounge & Bar, guests can indulge in local delicacies and international flavours at Grand Restaurant, where chef Miroslav Zamiška has reimagined the European cheese trolley tradition. After a fabulous feast, guests can choose from a selection of fine cheeses from six European countries accompanied by fruits, nuts, honey and sommelier-recommended wines.
As winter blankets the land, Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol provides front row seats to the breathtaking landscape of Austria’s Tyrolean Alps. The ski-in/ski-out resort is perfectly poised for access to Kitzbühel’s magnificent ski areas, with 215 kilometres of slopes including legendary runs like Strief, Hahnenkamm and Mousetrap, as well as tobogganing, cross-country ski routes and ice skating. From warming saunas and cosy fondue evenings to Christmas Afternoon Tea and festive menus, there’s plenty to lure guests back to the hotel after an energetic day on the slopes. Guests staying during the festive season between 20 December and 6 January will be treated to breakfast at Restaurant Steinberg, festive menus and a welcome drink, and entrance to the Alpine Spa. Those staying on 24 and 25 December will feast on sumptuous five-course festive dinners; there’s a Christmas buffet at Restaurant Steinberg on 26 December; and bookings staying over 31 December include New Year’s Eve dine-around and a variety of live musical performances, and an unforgettable New Year’s Day brunch on 1 January.
From timeless alpine grandeur to reimagined winter indulgence in the heart of the desert, Kempinski’s festive escapes redefine seasonal travel with soul, depth, craftsmanship and a sense of place. Whether guests seek exhilarating mountain adventure, immersive cultural celebrations, or quiet restorative moments beside firelight and snow, each destination invites travellers to experience winter at its most magical. This season, Kempinski Hotels are not simply offering a holiday getaway—they are offering a collection of winter stories waiting to be lived, shared and remembered long after the snow has melted.
