On a trip through Switzerland’s varied alpine cantons, we experience the beauty of nature, mountains, valleys and alpine passes. And the four luxury hotels we stay in are as beautiful, varied and extraordinary as the landscape.
Wellness- & Spa-Hotel Ermitage, Schönried/Gstaad
Usually people take the shortest and quickest route to get somewhere in the Swiss Alps. We, on the other hand, have chosen to go on an alpine hotel treasure trail from Schönried to Davos, taking in the many faces of the beauty of the Swiss Alps, and combining this with the luxury of some exceptional hotels. Our route passes through particularly enchanting landscapes, covering almost every alpine canton with tourist appeal in Switzerland; across mountains, along valleys and through several alpine passes. Four extremely well-equipped hotels await you, and all that remains is for you to decide whether you wish to do the tour in nine days and change hotels every two days, or whether you want to take your time and stay longer in places. We begin our journey in Schönried, spend nights in Verbier and Andermatt and finally arrive at our destination, Davos.
The Wellness & Spa Hotel Ermitage, located at 1,200 m in the centre of the village of Schönried, overlooks the well-known resort of Gstaad. This chalet hotel, so characteristic of Switzerland, is family-run and has a very personal atmosphere. Extensively renovated in 2011, it consists of four inter-connected chalets. This gives it a very relaxed and welcoming feel and, despite its size, it does not have the feel of huge hotel complex. There are several terraces and outdoor pools nestling amongst the beautiful gardens. Rain or shine – we can enjoy the mountain landscape and the view of the Saanen valley from the two-storey Panorama Hall. Seven different styles of restaurant give the guest the opportunity to dine in a different ambience each day, varying from alpine rusticity to timeless elegance. Yet the excellent food that we are served comes from the same kitchen.
www.ermitage.ch
W Verbier, Verbier
On our third day, it takes just two hours for us to reach Verbier in the canton of Wallis. We set off from Schönried and drive first to Gstaad, a resort well loved by jet-set celebrities. From there we follow the mountain pass across Col du Pillon, through Ormont-Dessous to Aigle, taking in some particularly lovely landscapes. We soon reach Verbier, passing through Martigny on the way.
The W Hotel at Verbier is the only hotel on our tour in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and it is right next to the valley cable car terminal in the village. Perfect for skiers, who can reach the area’s highest point at over 3,300 m on Mont Fort from here! This cool, modern interpretation of a chalet hotel consists of four interconnected buildings. The newest was only opened in 2013. Its style, based round fashion, music and design, marks it out from the other hotels on this trip, giving you a complete lifestyle experience. There are plenty of opportunities to have a good time here! In the centre of the hotel, you will find the W Living Room, a striking bar with a generous lounge to chill out in with live DJs and open fires. We tested the impressive E-Wow Suite ourselves and enjoyed it enormously. This luxury penthouse suite offers a superb view across the valley to the Swiss mountains – and not just from its large terrace. The star attraction is the bed that rotates through 360 degrees to let you enjoy the view outside or turn to the spa area or fireplace and TV, whatever you feel like. Sergi Arola, who has two Michelin stars, is the culinary head of the hotel’s fashionable Arola Restaurant. He is known for his creative Spanish cuisine, which he combines here with Swiss specialities. The Carve nightclub gives you the chance to dance the night away at the weekend, and it serves snacks at midnight too.
www.wverbier.com
The Chedi Andermatt, Andermatt
The next stage of our journey takes us to Andermatt. We drive back to Martigny and follow the course of the river Rhône, passing through Sierre, Brig and Münster-Geschinen. There are many hairpin bends to negotiate before we reach the Furka Pass at 2,429 metres, the European watershed between the Mediterranean and the North Sea. We continue via Hospental to Andermatt in the Urseren Valley. Our next billet, the Chedi Andermatt, is right in the centre of the village, where it fits harmoniously into its surroundings. Opened towards the end of 2013, the hotel takes its inspiration from the chalets and grand hotels of times past. Its style is a combination of Asian purism with alpine chic – plenty of dark wood, open hearths and natural local materials – a totally new design language for Switzerland incorporating many public spaces. The generously proportioned rooms are spread over several interconnected buildings. There are impressive suites with their own built-in wine storage and hearth-mounted gas fires. If you want to treat yourself and your family or friends to something special, the Furka suite is a good choice. With two storeys and three bedrooms, a kitchen and private spa area with steam bath, sauna and whirlpool, clad in wood and natural stone, it has a comfortable and relaxing ambience. The Asian-inspired restaurant houses four show kitchens separated by glass. This makes for a very spacious dining area. For skiers the hotel offers a Ski Butler service: the guest speaks to one of the Ski Butlers and receives his own personal ski equipment in just a few minutes. In the spa treatments, you can feel the hotel’s Asian influence and skill. We experience possibly the best massage in Switzerland there. In general, guests are taken good care of personally by General Manager Hansjörg Meier.
www.thechediandermatt.com
Intercontinental Davos, Davos
On our last day, we cross the Oberalp Pass, travelling through Sedrun, Disentis, Ilanz, and Flims as we follow the Lower Rhine. Near Reichenau-Tamins we turn off to Thusis and follow a small road that takes us through an enchanting landscape to Tiefencastel, Alvaneu and finally Davos. On the edge of town, close to the 18-hole golf course, the Hotel Intercontinental Davos awaits us. At 1,560 metres, this is the last stop on our alpine treasure trail. Only opened in 2013 it was built to accommodate, amongst others, those attending international conferences such as the World Economic Forum, which has been held in Davos since 1971. For this reason, the hotel has many facilities to accommodate large conferences. As you arrive, the hotel’s futuristic architecture in the shape of a golden oval lying high above Lake Davos will immediately impress you. The view to the south over the town of Davos and the mountain landscape is divine. The interior decor emits a modern light and airy feel from purist design with a hint of alpine. The 216 rooms and suites furnished in light shades, each with a balcony and alpine/woodland view are stylishly international. There are three different restaurants, two bars and a lobby lounge for guests to enjoy. The Restaurant Capricorn serves regional delights for the palate. On the top floor, the more cosmopolitan Studio Grigio offers international dishes with a fantastic view.We leave for home, filled with wonderful impressions and beautiful images. All four of the hotels we visited are outstanding and to be recommended. As each hotel has its own very different character, every guest will have a personal favourite to suit their own taste.
www.intercontinental.com/davos
