The town is by no means attractive. Large hotels that are urban rather than alpine in construction and character straggle along the roadside for a couple of kilometres from the railway half of Davos Dorf to Davos Platz. Where you stay is of crucial important to skiing convenience. Of the two sectors, Davos Dorf is best for skiing, while Davos Platz has most of the shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Regular buses run the loop of the one-way system, but it can be a long walk home to Davos Dorf late at night.
The leading hotels in Dorf are Hotel Seehof, located next to the Gotschna-Parsenn gondola and with the fastest internet connection in Switzerland – which it would have, because Bill Gates stays here. It has three restaurants and a bar. Hotel Rixos Fluela, opposite the railway station, has been completely renovated and contains 60 rooms, a spa and swimming-pool. Turmhotel Victoria is recommended for its health centre and good food. The hotel’s unique Turm or tower is one of the most photographed landmarks in Davos. The former US President, Bill Clinton, stayed here during the World Economic Forum in 2011.
The newest property is The Hard Rock Hotel, housed in the shell of Sanatorium Spengler. It offers, among other things, a Rock Om Yoga session with DJ Drez, while surrounded by such memorabilia as a sequin sweater by Michael Jackson, a lace outfit by Taylor Swift and a silk shirt by Elvis Presley.
Hotel InterContinental has 246 rooms and suites, with unique architecture and great views. Steinberger Grandhotel Belvedere is a grand five-star with a comprehensive spa and beauty salon. The half board restaurant is the sort of place where men are required to wear a jacket and tie for dinner. Arabella Hotel Waldhuus is the only chalet-style hotel in town. It’s set next to the golf course (the cross-country circuit in winter) and is family-friendly, housing the Walli Kids Club. There’s a 700 sq metre spa and indoor swimming-pool.
Sunstar Hotel & Spa receives much repeat booking – the guest book reveals people who have been back eight times. Waldhotel Davos was a famous sanatorium until 1957, and was the location where Thomas Mann chose to based his novel The Magic Mountain. It’s been recently refurbished to a high standard, and features some spectacular rooms including a stunning penthouse corner suite of over 70 sq metres of space with exquisite views over Davos.
Arthaus Hotel is a small and stylish hotel inspired by the owner’s art collection. All the rooms are individually decorated. Chalet-hotel Larix is an attractive chalet-style hotel run by a British couple. Bedrooms are all individually designed.
Tivoli Lodge is set right on the Parsenn piste and has just about the best child facilities we’ve ever seen in a chalet. As well as a two-storey jungle gym which can hold up to 50 children, there’s also a lovely indoor swimming-pool, sauna, whirlpool and steam room, a home cinema, and the lovely bedrooms include a bunk room for six children.See our post on Five Reasons To Visit Davos This Winter.
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