Sonali Tandon
28-Aug-2025
From alpine getaways to Mediterranean hideaways, these five escapes draw guests into a deeper state of wellbeing, where baths and pools become experiences as memorable as the vistas themselves.
There can only be a particular type of peace where the horizon meets the lake. Time slows, the breath deepens, and the body yields to warmth. Imagine relaxing on a balcony in a hot tub or swimming in a pool with a glass of champagne, the scent of pine filling the air from the valley below, and the quiet of the alpine air at sunset, with the Matterhorn's silhouette rising against a violet sky.
Or perhaps you are drawn to Lake Lucerne, where water and eternity meet. When you lean back into a pool that hangs over the cliffs, the Alps no longer appear far away; they are yours, reflected on the surface, and within touching reach.
Bathing customs are being reinvented in numerous regions across Europe. Tubs act as landscape frames in addition to porcelain pots. Pools are more than just places to swim; they are gates to immersion—in tranquillity, nature, and unpretentious luxury.
Grandeur isn't the objective here. It is about the uncommon pleasure of being present: sitting in warm or cool water and gazing out at the world beyond the sky, glass, and stone. The alchemy of design and destination occurs when wood meets forest, marble hits mountain, and sea meets limitless edge.
From alpine getaways to Mediterranean hideaways, these five escapes draw guests into a deeper state of wellbeing, where baths and pools become experiences as memorable as the vistas themselves.
Cervo Mountain Resort – Zermatt, Switzerland
At Cervo Mountain Resort, the Huntsman Triple Suite conceals a surprise—an outdoor bathtub set on its private terrace, where alpine air sharpens the senses and each soak becomes a front-row seat to the mountain's ever-changing moods. Morning mist floats like silk scarves, as twilight illuminates the summit in gentle pink.
Inside, the Atman Mountain Spa provides something as unique: a Japanese-style onsen with crystalline views of the same peak. It is a fusion of civilizations, combining the tranquility of Eastern ritual with the raw drama of Swiss nature. You float in heated water, snow gently falling outside
This is a new kind of après-ski experience. Ski boots are replaced by silk robes. Candlelight flickers across the timber beams. The mountain vacation becomes less about conquering slopes and more about finding tranquility.
Bürgenstock Resort – Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Bürgenstock Resort, located high above Lake Lucerne, appears to hover between sky and water. Bathing is a form of theatre in this context. The Panorama Suite features a double bathtub in front of floor-to-ceiling glass, with views of the lake and Alps changing with each cloud. When you immerse yourself in the sea, calm descends like a tide—slow, all-encompassing, and total.
The infinity pool, however, is what makes this place unique. It appears as though you are swimming toward the sky because to its striking cantilever over the cliff edge. Mist rises from the lake in the early morning, curving against the horizon like brushstrokes. The pool lights up at night, creating a lighted stage where bathers can float beneath constellations.
Bürgenstock has long been the preferred choice of visionaries, ranging from Hollywood stars to statesmen. Despite its pedigree, the experience is quite personal. In water, the grandeur fades, leaving behind a profound serenity that lingers long after you leave.
Chewton Glen – New Forest, England
The concept of a woodland retreat is redefined in Chewton Glen amid the undulating countryside of Hampshire. Its renowned treehouse apartments, which have marble bathrooms that hide freestanding tubs with a direct view of the forest, rise among centuries-old trees. You recline, surrounded by warm water, as birds weave songs through the canopy and deer softly wander under you. It feels more like being a part of the forest than taking a bath.
Beyond the suites, the spa pool blends in well with the 130 acres of grounds, glistening under the glass. Here, practicing wellness—quiet swims, herbal remedies, and listening to the sound of trees outside—is more important than performing. It is a world where the seasons dictate the palette: crisp winter air, blossom-laced spring, golden autumn light
Chewton Glen whispers rather than shouts. Its luxury lies not in spectacle, but in the simple, rare intimacy of nature paired with design. Every soak becomes a meditation..
Utopia Mykonos – Elia Beach, Greece
Mykonos embraces drama like few other places. The drama at Utopia Mykonos takes place in restrooms rather than nightclubs. Many suites have stone spas next to sweeping windows that overlook the boundless Aegean. Here, the elements—salt air, sea light, stone, and water—are used in the ritual. The horizon feels close enough to hold as you soak.
The same philosophy is echoed by pools. Soft seats and low tables encourage lounging in between swims, while sleek, whitewashed edges blend into the ocean. With drink in hand, toes in the water, and the island burning gold as the sky becomes cobalt, sunset is when Utopia comes to life.
It is a haven where classic Greek beauty and bohemian style meet. A place where taking a bath is more of a ritual than a habit.
Mandarin Oriental – Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como feels like a cinematic dream from the peaceful shores of Blevio, Mandarin Oriental. The Vista Lago Rooms include Italian marble bathrooms and huge soaking tubs, each properly inclined toward the water. From here, Lake Como opens like a painting, with olive trees, mirrored ripples, and houses snuggled into emerald hills.
The pools are equally evocative. Terraces go down to the lake, where beautiful loungers frame an aquamarine vista. The effect is indulgent yet ageless, like stepping into a Fellini film where every element, from the shine of glassware to the gentle lilt of Italian speech, is carefully managed.
Wellness here is an art form. Mornings begin with leisurely swims under pastel skies; nights end with twilight baths as the lake darkens into velvet. It is both a retreat and a revelation, reminding us that water is more than just soothing; it is also transforming.
Conclusion
From Zermatt's mountain onsens to Lucerne's floating infinity pool, from Hampshire's woodlands to Mykonos' whitewashed cliffs, and finally to Lake Como's spectacular coasts, these sanctuaries show that a bathtub or pool may be just as memorable as any backdrop.
These are not just hotels. They are invites to halt, immerse, and feel. They remind us that true luxury is found not in excess, but in depth: the depth of water around your body, the silence beyond the glass, the connection to the world beyond.
So, whether your idea of joy is snow falling beyond a steamy tub, forest leaves brushing against your window, or an enormous sea horizon stretching into darkness, the ritual remains constant. A body, a vision, and water that contains both.
Because when the view is this spectacular, even a simple soak becomes an unforgettable experience.
