This icon of Swiss hospitality sits on a hilltop with unrivalled 360-degree views over Lake Sils, Lake Silvaplana and the surrounding mountains. Although it now seems an obvious place for a hotel, back when it first opened in 1908 it was an inspired decision by Josef and Amalie Giger-Nigg. Their great-grandchildren, Claudio and Patrick Dietrich, now manage the hotel and they have kept the old-world allure and way of travel alive, but this is combined with a sophisticated savoir-faire that meets modern needs. It is truly tranquil and upon entering the Waldhaus Sils you realise you have arrived somewhere special. No-one offers you cucumber water or some other trendy half-attempt at a welcome. You are not greeted by an overly-enthusiastic marketing person with a faux smile. Everything is very efficient and cordial; the service is flawless and the staff are genuinely friendly. It is fortunately a fantastic summer destination in addition to the winter season. In these times when we are confronted with climate change and over-tourism, the beautiful Swiss mountains, especially here near these amazing lakes, serve as an ideal, serene alternative for destinations like the Cote d’Azur, Italian Riviera and other places in Europe with their overcrowded beaches, mass tourism, overpriced rooms, poor service and 40-degree-plus temperatures. I was able to experience this for myself last summer when I had the pleasure of staying a week at the Hotel Waldhaus and although I used not to be a fan of going to the mountains in summer, I appreciated everything tremendously. We enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking and swimming in the lakes, along with great food and cooler temperatures. Strangely, during the summer season you can get wonderful rates in the mountains unlike in beach destinations where you will have to pay peak prices.