The Lodge Verbier, Switzerland
Switzerland | September 21, 2018
Sandwiched between bottle-green pines and plunging mountains in the Swiss Alps. It’s 250 metres from the main ski lifts and a five-minute walk from the upscale bars and shops that line Verbier, which you reach via cable car from Le Châble station.
Location:
Sandwiched between bottle-green pines and plunging mountains in the Swiss Alps. It’s 250 metres from the main ski lifts and a five-minute walk from the upscale bars and shops that line Verbier, which you reach via cable car from Le Châble station.
First Impressions :
A cosy, lavish Alpine chalet decked out with wood-panelled walls, stylish grey furnishings and a glowing fire, hidden away in the heart of the silent mountains. Within minutes of entering I was holding a flute of champagne in one hand and wedge of freshly baked, creamy walnut cake in the other, feeling like I was properly at home – albeit with mountains instead of the motorway for a backdrop.
The Facts:
The Lodge is one of Sir Richard Branson’s exclusive Virgin Limited Edition collection properties, sleeping up to 18 adults and six children across nine rooms, including one with bunk beds. They’re all beautifully decorated with a homely, modern-meets-Alpine design and light, nature-inspired feel, with signature touches such as a cute toy dog on your bed, and a big Toblerone delivered to your door at night.
The real standouts, though, are the extras: outdoor and indoor Jacuzzis, indoor pool, spa room, gym and an entertainment lounge, complete with a pool table, TV, glittering disco ball and, its pièce de résistance, an open bar. In winter, the chalet is mainly used for exclusive hires, but in summer, rooms are available to book individually, so couples and smaller groups can enjoy it too.
Explore:
The slopes are just a few minutes’ walk away, making it an excellent base for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. In the warmer months you can also try rock climbing, paragliding and mountain biking, or head out on a day trip to see the wineries, caves and villages in the area.
Wow:
Food and drink are the crowning glories of this place, with extremely talented chefs cooking delightful creations, including cakes in the afternoon, and staff mixing any cocktail you can think of. Dinner is served at a long communal table, with a set menu changing daily and a focus on fresh, local produce; cheese from the local farm, herbs hand-picked by the staff, Swiss sparkling wine…the list goes on. À la carte breakfast and lunch are also included, and if you’re out hiking you’ll get a picnic to enjoy on the mountainside. The only thing that topped the food was the service; staff are super personable and make you feel like you’re part of a big family. By the end I felt like I had a new home, right up there in the middle of beautiful nowhere.
Book It:
Nightly rates for summer 2019 (June 7 to September 22) start at £740 per room, including breakfast, a light lunch and dinner, plus all drinks including top-quality wine and champagne. Exclusive hire rates for next year start from £7,417 per night in summer and from £90,00 for a winter 2019.
