Airbnb dropped some more new categories last week, and one, in particular, caught our eye – Top of the World. The new category highlights high-up homes situated at 10,000 feet or more above sea level, and features sky scraping stays from the Rockies to the Himalayas.
What it’s also done is offer yet another opportunity for my editor Zach and me to casually mention that we slept at over 12,000 feet while hiking Peru’s Inca Trail on our way to Machu Picchu this year. Yes, it’s a gratuitous travel brag, and no, we’ll never stop milking it.
Here are the best high-altitude hotels and alpine Airbnbs.
Our top picks: The Best in the West
High-Alpine Colorado Hut |
Clear Creek County, Colorado |
For the true adventurer, this stunning mountain retreat is as off-grid as they come. Perched at just over 11,000 feet and sitting in the shadow of some of the US’ most intimidating 14ers (read, big f’n mountains), this stay has no electricity, no running water, and no WiFi. While it’s not for the faint-hearted, the pay-off is utter seclusion in one of the country’s most heart-achingly beautiful regions. Curl up by the fire, take things slow, and forget your Instagram for a bit |
Swiss Alps’ highest hotel |
Swiss Alps, Switzerland |
Look at this place. Seriously, look at it! It only barely scrapes past 10,000 feet in altitude, but you’d be forgiven for assuming this was the top of the world. Guests are whisked through the Swiss Alps on a train to their mountaintop hotel and dropped off in heaven. To make it even more surreal, there’s a space telescope on top, as it’s a world-class location for observing the Milky Way. Utterly breathtaking. |
Dome Mountain Top Lodge |
Cusco, Cuzco, Peru $$$$ | Pics → |
Did Zach and I tell you we’ve slept at 12,000 feet on the Inca Trail? We also visited Ollantaytambo on the same trip, and while we didn’t stay here, we can confirm it’s 10x more beautiful than the pictures look. The dome looks out over the aptly-named Sacred Valley, one of the most picturesque valleys in a ridiculously picturesque country. Of course, with the dome’s panoramic windows, star gazing won’t be a problem. |
This stunning ski resort has a shout at being the high altitude hotel in the US
Solitude is the keyword for this mesmerizing Colorado cabin
At 15,000 feet, this Bolivian desert hotel is possibly the highest in the world
The hot tub in this 11,000 feet up Colorado condo is worth the trip alone
Steven can personally confirm this mountain hutte in Georgia (the country) is incredible
by travelers, for travelers.