Kaiserlodge

At the foot of Austria’s Wilder Kaiser mountain range is a collection of four villages, all excellent bases for exploring the region’s hiking and skiing areas. The smallest village, Scheffau, is considered the most scenic of the four, and one of its best hotels is Kaiserlodge. It’s only a few years old, and it looks like it — this sustainably built lodge has a traditional Tyrolean style, but it’s modern and airy, with lots of pale stone, blonde wood, and glass — and the design was carefully planned so that guests hardly need to leave the premises. There's a natural swimming pond in summer, a steaming-hot rooftop pool with mountain views in winter, a gorgeous spa, a state-of-the-art kids’ club with its own cinema, and a lively restaurant and bar that serves brunch late and practically never closes.

Accommodations range from standard double rooms to spacious apartment-style units with multiple bedrooms and well-equipped kitchens. Of particular novelty are Kaiserlodge’s lake suites, which offer direct access to the water via a private footbridge. All have a contemporary alpine look, with natural wood paneling and furniture, sophisticated lighting systems, and large bathrooms with walk-in showers or tubs; most offer views of the snowcapped mountains that loom over the village. Outdoor adventures await nearby in all four seasons, with hiking trails leading directly from the hotel’s front door and mountain bikes available for rent at reception.