Tucked into a 6,000-foot-high mountain valley in Andorra, a diminutive country bounded by Spain and France, Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa beckons skiers, golfers, and nature lovers into a realm of comfort and indulgence. Owned by a pioneering local family, the property evolved from a humble sporting goods store in the 1970’s into an amenities-laden destination showcasing a combination of vernacular architecture and modern interior design. Behind a row of traditional pitched-roof chalets (built in the local style using stone and timber), guests will find an array of contemporary spaces—various living rooms and lounges, as well as a set of restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs—decked in blond wood, auburn leather, and neutral fabrics. Every material and hue was chosen to complement the gorgeous scenery outside: towering cypress trees and vertiginous slopes that change colors with the seasons. While skiing is one of the main attractions here—the hotel is at the foot of Grandvalira, one of Europe’s largest and most sought-after resorts, with 130 miles of pistes—there’s plenty to do once the snow melts. Andorra’s unspoiled landscape is full of peaceful walking trails, rugged bike routes, and one of the most distinctive golf courses in the world. Accessible via a seated cable car, Golf Soldeu is perched at an altitude of 7,000 feet, surrounded by stunning views of the Pyrenees’ tallest peaks. Ensconced among these outdoor playgrounds are pockets of history and culture, most notably in the town of Andorra la Vella, whose centuries-old Barri Antic neighborhood flaunts Romanesque churches and medieval towers.
Every material and hue was chosen to complement the gorgeous scenery outside: towering cypress trees and vertiginous slopes that change colors with the seasons.
Andorra may tug at your adventurous side, but the hotel’s creature comforts call for abundant downtime, especially if your home base is one of the new Hermitage Mountain Residences. These nine spacious apartments, ranging from one-bedroom pads to eight-bedroom duplexes, are worthy of a spread in a shelter magazine. Sleek wood panels canvassing nearly every surface, paired with the occasional black accent wall, present an utterly modern interpretation of alpine style. “We wanted guests to feel a connection to the surroundings, but we also wanted to create a cosmopolitan atmosphere,” says interior designer Laura Perez Pujadas, “So we used a lot of oak but kept the lines very clean, adding richness by choosing textured fabrics and warm colors.”
Interiors are pared-down yet luxurious, decorated with a combination of bespoke pieces and handpicked furnishings from some of Italy’s top contemporary brands. Bedrooms feature upholstered headboards tied with thick leather belts; living areas have oversized ergonomic sectionals strewn with velvet pillows in soft yellows and greens; kitchens are covered in polished black surfaces inset with high-tech appliances. In other words, these highly attractive spaces provide good reason to stay indoors and relax for a while. Make sure to stroll over to the spa at some point; the hotel’s multi-story wellness center is loaded with pools and saunas, most of them facing large window panes framing postcard views of the formidable Pyrenees.