Review: The Chedi Andermatt

_Location: Residing in the mountain village of Andermatt in the Swiss Alps, The Chedi Andermatt is a 90-minute drive from Zürich airport. Set within the Urseren Valley at the foot of the Gotthard Pass, the village is surrounded by wildflower meadows and snow-capped mountains and has all the Swiss charm you might expect.

But it’s undergoing a reinvention. Inspired by the success of its glitzy neighbours Zermatt and St Moritz, the former military base has turned an eye to tourism and there is major investment going on in the area.

_{First impressions:} A Leading Hotel of the World with a Michelin-starred restaurant and one of the top-voted suites on the planet, The Chedi Andermatt’s reputation precedes it. Thankfully, it more than lives up to the hype. The hotel marries all the features of an authentic alpine chalet with contemporary, Asian-inspired design for a mountain stay quite unlike any other.

The lobby is bedecked in black marble, dark wood and hues of crimson. The space boasts an eclectic collection of ornaments, including large crystals, oversized arrangements of orchids and a huge Swarovski chandelier designed for the hotel. The alpine-meets-Asian influence is evident from the start, with reception staff proffering sweet iced tea and Swiss chocolates.

_{The facts:} Andermatt’s reinvention is largely down to one man, Egyptian billionaire Samih Sawiris, who saw its potential in 2005 and has spearheaded a large-scale construction project to reinvigorate the area. It started with The Chedi Andermatt, which was completed in 2013.

The property was built sympathetically to its surrounds, arranged as a series of buildings set among existing ski chalets and constructed using local materials. The hotel features 123 rooms and suites. Its top accommodation, the Gotthard Suite, features five bedrooms, five bathrooms and its own sauna. But every accommodation is divine, with generous space, a seductive colour palette and iPad-controlled fireplaces.

The property is home to the world’s largest hotel collection of cigars; a five-metre-tall room filled with Swiss cheeses; and a wine cave stocked with some of the best and oldest vintages. The spa is a big draw, with a 35-metre swimming pool that looks out over snowy peaks, as well as an outdoor pool, hydrothermal baths and products from beauty brand Tata Harper.

The Chedi Andermatt boasts five restaurants and bars. The hotel is known for doing something extravagant at Christmastime and this year, it has transformed its courtyard into a traditional mountain winter village boasting real fir trees and traditional Swiss and Scandinavian cabins housing a range of festive experiences.

_{Ideal for:} Families, couples, singles with pets – The Chedi Andermatt serves a wide variety of traveller. Despite its prestige, the hotel rarely feels pretentious and there were plenty of children and dogs during my visit. The property operates a kids’ club only during the winter season but families are well catered for in the summer too.

_Explore: Not only is The Chedi Andermatt surrounded by four mountain Passes – Gotthard, Göscheneralp, Oberalp and Furka – it recently unveiled a partnership with Harley-Davidson and Audi, making it a perfect base for roadtrips.

Those keen to learn more about the region should lean on local guide Bänz Simmen, who can be booked for experiences including herbal hikes and village tours. Skiing is a must in winter. Part of the largest ski area in central Switzerland, lofty Andermatt is now also accessible to beginner and intermediate skiers.

_Wow: Brilliant moments abound, so faultless are the facilities and service. But one-Michelin-star eatery, The Japanese Restaurant, is truly special. It’s spread across two outposts: for lunch, guests can take a chairlift up the mountain and dine 2,300 metres above sea level, while for dinner they can enjoy the same delicious menu at the main hotel. Advanced booking for both is essential.

_{Book it:} Rooms at The Chedi Andermatt start at £680 per night.
thechediandermatt.com