Boutique Hotel Alpenrose ★★★★

When I think of Switzerland in the winter I think of a typical chalet, with wood panelling, the rich smells of oak and pine, golden warm light, crackling fires and large windows looking out onto frosty blue days. I always imagine the very best, the highest quality, it is Switzerland after all! The only thing I am not so keen on is the idea of stepping out and looking at dozens of other identical chalets and droves of fellow tourists sailing by, turning the fresh powder into a packed ice highway. I want the dream, the soft snow, pristine slopes, sophisticated hotel and rustic charm along with the feeling that I am somewhere special and exclusive whilst being truly authentic. A tall order, but I am told it can be met and so I have come to the Boutique Hotel Alpenrose ****, which promises to offer the class and enchantment along with all the private seclusion I could desire.

As soon as I arrive I breathe a sigh of relief. Yes, this is exactly it. I see dark wood and snow-capped roofs set amongst tall trees bathed in light and I know already that I am not going to be disappointed. Sure enough I am welcomed, shown my room and the glorious sight that greets me is enough to make me want to do a small skip for joy. I find myself in a refined but homely, establishment, however, so I endeavour to contain myself. Then left alone, I do a little happy dance reserved for only truly special moments. This is one of them as a Christmassy dream of mine is coming true.

Moments later my man comes into the room. A little sheepishly I stop dancing and explore the bathroom while he looks around appreciatively. As he takes in the typical wooden décor, the huge bed, and the plush sofa and arm chairs by lofty French windows opening onto our terrace, I quickly note the large bathtub and his'n'hers sinks. We have all we need and more, even a Nespresso machine, I later discover!

I come back out to find my partner already comfortably at home on the sofa, gazing out at the magnificent view south. This explains why the room is flooded with light. It's beautiful: the sparkling glaciers, the silvery sunlight, the green trees dusted white, all framed in the quaint, square-paned windows of our cosy bedroom. I join him and we snuggle up happily together as we make plans for what we want to do whilst we're here. We both agree that first things first – we need to eat!

As it is afternoon we opt for Sammy's Grill for a more laidback dining option that opens only during the winter. The gourmet restaurant, Azalée, we will try tonight for a romantic, candlelit dinner and, having perused the menu already, my mouth waters at the thought of  fresh lobster accompanied by hazelnut and champagne vinaigrette. Lunch is divine as we share our first of many fondues and wash it down with a local bottle of sharp white wine and a couple of glasses of Kirsch. One of the great delights here is the cuisine; it's just as well one of Switzerland's other specialities is winter sports, or else we'd be in trouble!

Tipsy and armoured with Dutch courage we set out to brave the slopes, neither of us very practised skiers. There are cable cars that take you directly to some of the best pistes and in no time I find myself shakily snow-plowing back down the mountain again. I am soon swooping and falling and laughing all the way to the bottom, however, having quite quickly lost my inhibitions - I think the wine definitely helped. We have a fine time and return to our lovely hotel somewhat bruised but very content.

One of the greatest pleasures of spending an afternoon in the snow is entering the hotel spa with frosty fingers and feet and slowly melting in their wonderful sauna and jacuzzi. We have a blissful hour and by the time we reach our bedroom we are toasty warm and glowing with health. I feel as though I have purified myself of all the fondue already, which entirely relieves me of any guilt about tucking in to yet another tomorrow!

Collapsing, exhausted and happy on our comfortable bed, we both feel entitled to curl up for a while right there and indulge in a movie before going down to dinner. The sky is dark beyond our windows, which gleam in the cosy light, I can just make out the shadowy shapes of the trees and the mountain beyond and we are safe and warm in our romantic nest. An idyllic hideaway in the Swiss Alps, courtesy of the Boutique Hotel Alpenrose ****.