Swish Swiss chalet; say that six times fast. Nestled in picturesque Gstaad, skiing is the order of the day here. Popular among the fashion set, survey the snow-capped surrounds and dress accordingly – think snow boots, a Fair Isle jumper and a Koibird ski jacket. Back at base, rooms come with views of the surrounding Alps. A speciality hot-chocolate menu rests fireside to warm your cockles (and ruddy appendages after a day on the slopes). Enjoy après-ski soaks under a canopy of stars in your outdoor hot tub and follow with a raclette and fondue evening in charming log-cabin restaurant, Le Petit Chalet. Keep an eye out for the mobile whisky tray too.

Once home to a drove of Icelandic sheep, this turf-topped former
farmhouse conceals cosy suites with views of the Troll Peninsula.
Farm-to-table fare is included in your room price in addition to
two complimentary activities a day, making for an economical but no
less luxe stay. Fuel up for a day of adventuring on a lavish
breakfast of Icelandic pancakes and huevos rancheros, before
spending the afternoon trekking or whale watching. Go for an
evening float in the geothermal open-air pool and if you’re lucky,
you may be treated to the eerie green and purple of the Northern Lights.

Traditional chalet style with a modern overhaul, Alpaga’s
luxurious offerings make a great case for a winter getaway. Book in
to one of five three-storey chalets (which sleep up to 12) if
you’re travelling with a group and when in need of some alone time,
make tracks for the Spa La Colline – a chic pampering den outfitted
with a hammam, gym and a pool. When you’ve turned positively
prune-like, retreat to the Michelin-star bearing La Table
de l’Alpaga and work your way through their bistronomic menu.
Dishes including homemade lobster ravioli with black truffles
compete with the restaurant scene in town.

Deep in the Charente countryside, this honey-stone chateau is a
storybook landscape of waterways and woodlands. Boasting elegant
turrets, Limousin cows and interconnected lakes, Domaine des
Etangs’ idyllic setting is utterly transfixing. If you tire of the
views and natural beauty, there’s plenty to entice inside too. Once
the holiday home of Didier Primat, one of France’s richest men, his
daughter Garance has transformed the house in which she spent her
childhood into a lavish retreat. “A lieu de vie” (a place for
living), choose your favourite corner of the castle, or withdraw to
the chateau’s library and contemporary-art space ­where you’ll find
works by the likes of Yves Klein and Sheila Hicks. A very modern
fairy-tale.

Stylish lodge. Austrian Alps. Endless views. Leave your car keys at reception, you won’t be leaving Boutique Hotel Wachtelhof for the remainder of your stay. As mountain retreats go, this one located between Kitzbühl and Salzburg is high up on our list. Powder-covered slopes call out to snowboarders and ski-safari goers while the spa offers some welcome respite and reward. Choose from one of three different saunas – Finnish, herbal or infrared – and zen out until supper time.

While there’s more to Sierra Nevada than snow, the lure of the
slopes at this boutique lodge are undeniable. 45 pistes and six
off-piste ski runs surround El Lodge and Spa, while Parador 1
chairlift is just 50m from the front door. Make use of the ski-in
ski-out access before enjoying an après-ski snack on the sun deck.
Later, warm up in the hotel’s kitsch surrounds, kitted out with
vintage ski posters, antler chandeliers and animal prints by
designer Andrew Martin. For change of scene (and pace) swap the
slopes for the sun and head to Granada; a 30-minute drive will
transport you to the majestic Alhambra and it’s only a matter of
time before a hole-in-the-wall flamenco bar beckons.

Perfect for a snowy sojourn, Hotel Miramonti is the alpine hideaway you dream up on a bleak January day. Overlooking the spa town of Merano, you’ll be perfectly placed to discover the relaxing thermal baths, spyable through your floor-to-ceiling windows. With the Dolomites on your doorstep, days at this South Tyrolean retreat can be spent hiking across peaks, riding a Haflinger horse or swimming in mountain lakes. For those hoping to venture a little further, hire the hotel’s classic Alfa Romeo and zip off into the countryside.

A sweep of sandstone and redwood at the foot of the Teton range,
Amangani is an effortlessly dramatic Rocky Mountain hideaway. In
winter, it’s the ideal base for skiing the snow-packed slopes of
Jackson Hole. Operating a ski lodge 20 minutes away in Teton
Village, guests can borrow kit, take lessons and test their skills
on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s 1,000 hectares of ski and
snowboard terrain. Grab the free shuttle service back to base and
relax in surrounds synonymous with Aman. Expect all the usual
trimmings – ochre palette, luxe-cool vibes and clean lines
galore.

In a valley in northern Georgia, Rooms Hotel Kazbegi’s surroundings are so picturesque you’d almost think they’d been photoshopped, largely thanks to the mighty Caucasus Mountains on the doorstep. Reinventing the alpine lodge, Rooms Hotels Kazbegi – designed by young Tbilisi-based duo Nata Janberidze and Keti Toloraia – is all dark wood, industrial furniture and oversized glass windows. Simultaneously channelling urban chic with the serenity of a secluded (and super-luxe) Swiss spa, the overall effect is nonchalantly cool. In the bar, a fireplace and tailored cigar menu beckon. For warm-blooded, adventurous types, a range of outdoor activities from quad-bike tours to heliskiing are available.

At this Danish-owned farmhouse in the Highlands, the minimalism of Scandi living stands alongside the raw serenity of Scottish life as four bedrooms, a cottage, a bothy and a cosy hayloft combine contemporary design with more traditional farmhouse vernacular. Feel the bracing Highland wind on your face on the farm’s catch-and-cook loch fishing experience before heading to the kitchen to salt-bake your catch with the chef. In Scandinavia, plunging into ice-cold water is a hallowed tradition, and Killiehuntly offers multiple opportunities to immerse yourself in nearby pools. Then head to the “sauna yard”, a Scandi-Scotch take on traditional Navajo sweat lodges.

Reminiscent of a chateau, Adare Manor is at its best come winter. Arriving into The Great Hall Reception with its vaulted ceiling, carved wood-panelled walls and roaring fires framed by black-marble fireplaces is evidence enough of this. Following check-in, enjoy winter scenes from your bedroom window or embark on a woodland walk, meandering along the banks of the River Maigue. Take afternoon tea from 12.30pm in the Gallery, the second-longest room in Ireland ­­– after Trinity College Long Room – and be sure to order Adare’s own blend (the 1832) to accompany your jam-laden currant scones. Make an early dinner reservation at The Oak Room and bide your time until supper in the spa, the well-stocked library or subterranean whiskey bar.

This Georgian family home, plotted on a 400-acre estate just an hour’s drive from London (urbanites we hear your delight) is one of those very rare, utterly faultless places. Seasonal dining is the order of the day at Heckfield Place; winter promises moreish fare. Kitchens are led by culinary director Skye Gyngell (of Spring and Petersham Nurseries acclaim), with each of the hotel’s dining spaces offering distinctive atmospheres. Take breakfast at Marle, where freshly brewed coffee and bottomless bread baskets accompanied by the morning papers are prerequisite. Come evening, enjoy a set dinner menu at Hearth, toast to a long weekend under the disco ball in the residents’ bar before crawling back to your bedroom, designed by Ben Thompson. There’s endless corners to explore, so make sure to carve out some time to get cosy with a book (and a generous slice of cake, freshly baked each day) at this heavenly winter hideaway.