Tucked away high in the mountain state of Vorarlberg is where you’ll find a most unusual resort inn, the Walch’s Rote Wand — a classic centuries-old Alpine inn, which beneath its absolutely traditional surface has been cleverly modernized, renovated in a light, contemporary style. Instead of heavy timbers the rooms are minimalist, in white Austrian maple, simply furnished and well-lit by the sun.

Family-owned for over 80 years, you might imagine the Post Lech Arlberg would be a rather traditional sort of place, and you would be entirely correct. But you don’t get to stay at the top of the hospitality business by staying frozen in time. Here you’ll find lavish, classically-styled rooms, complete with ornate carved-wood furniture, but in suspiciously fine condition.

The Kitzbühel Alps are the postcard-perfect backdrop for Grand Tirolia, an upscale hotel with a diverse roster of entertainment and experiences. The alpine ski circuit takes top priority, but the après scene (champagne, DJ sets, a jazz club) more than holds its own, too. Even beyond high season, the staff goes to great lengths to enrich stays with a top-notch golf course, stunning treks, and all sorts of water sports.

The Austrian alpine resort town of Bad Gastein was once among Europe’s most exclusive destinations — and after a period out of the limelight it’s in the middle of a kind of renaissance. Emblematic of this new era is the Cōmodo, a mid-century hotel refurbished for a hip new generation of mountain travelers, taking its stylistic inspiration from Sixties modernism and classic Art Deco.

The century-old Hotel Tannenhof might be the most famous historic hotel in the town of St. Anton am Arlberg, but that’s not to say its present-day appeal is built on nostalgia. A thorough reconstruction has left its interiors looking contemporary. Today’s Tannenhof is a remarkably luxurious affair, containing a mere seven suites, as well as a luxe little spa and a Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant.

Built with native pine and run on hydropower, the 400-year-old Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt was sustainable long before such a thing was fashionable. Generations of well-to-do European families have retreated to the elegant lodge in the Austrian Alps and, more recently, a wave of namedrop-worthy celebrities in pursuit of fresh air and mountain scenery.

This former cottage and inn turned mountain retreat sits at an elevation of 1,550 meters at the foot of the Zugspitze Mountain, and higher than any other hotel in the area. Eriro is accessible only by cable car during ski season, and snowcat out of season. Now owned by three local couples, the hotel has been sensitively transformed to introduce guests to a slower way of living and foster a connection with nature.

For four centuries and five generations, the Schmucks have been quietly beautifying Naturhotel Forsthofgut, their alpine hideaway just west of Leogang. The extensive spa includes multiple aquatic environments and relaxation areas. Rooms and suites are split between several buildings and feature cozy blonde wood, minimalist alpine decor, and furnished balconies to take in the stunning views.

Dating from the 17th century, this luxury hotel in the center of Kitzbühel is not just for skiers and golfers – the spa includes an indoor pool, beauty, massage and a sauna for those looking for a gentler pace. Diners who like a side order of fashion with their food will be delighted to learn that the hotel hosts an outpost of Japanese restaurant Zuma.

Hideaway Hotel Montestyria Chalets & Suiten dares to depart from the Alpine-lodge norm, to impressive results. As its full name suggests, the hotel is made up of six chalets plus an additional two suites in the main house. Their modern construction leaves them free to explore modern interiors, and inside you’ll find a hybrid of boutique-influenced contemporary design and classic Alpine materials.

What’s Moar Gut than an alpine resort with a spectacular panorama and an emphasis on whole-family activities and accommodations? From bucolic treks through Austria’s Großarl valley to a dedicated trampoline room to a petting zoo with 16 Icelandic horses, it’s an all-inclusive, all-encompassing whirlwind. There’s even a “baby spa” — not to mention extensive grown-up spa facilities and a smorgasbord of swimming options.

There’s the phrase “family jewel”, and then there’s Almhof Schneider — this converted farmhouse has been in the family for over 500 years, and an alpine hotel for nearly a century. It’s the type of place multiple generations use for ski-centric reunions, nestled not far from where downhill skiing as a sport was invented. Inside, the vintage blonde wood and antler-forward décor get a welcome jolt from an eclectic array of contemporary artwork.