The Chedi Andermatt is possibly the best hotel the Luxe Bible team has ever stayed in and not just because it’s a deluxe five star. No, there’s something very special about the Chedi, which has become the jewel in the very beautiful crown of the Urseren alpine valley.
Samih Sawiris, a billionaire businessman who fell in love with the sleepy mountain village of Andermatt and decided to pump a whopping CHF 1.8 billion into its re-invention, seems to have gotten it all right.
Designed by acclaimed international architect Jean-Michel Gathy, the Chedi Andermatt boasts 48 rooms, 2 hotel suites, 65 pied-a-terres, 42 residential suites and 12 luxury penthouses. And although that might make it sound like a largely impersonal affair, you’ll feel more at home in the Chedi than in your own front room.
Gathy is big on comfortable opulence. Meaning every square metre of the Chedi Andermatt oozes luxury, yet at the same offers you a warmth and familiarity rarely experienced in a hotel. Take the stylish and expansive lounge area for example. A tranquil meeting and seating area with soft, buttery, luxurious leather seating, tree stump stools, dark wood tables, fur rugs and mesmerising log burning fire places.
There’s also an exclusive spa and wellness centre, a pool which benefits from views of the stunning mountain range and a state of the art gym. The wine and cigar library provides the perfect wind down after a day on the slopes, as does the après-ski bar enjoyed by hotel residents and locals alike. That’s after of course, you’ve been attended to by the Chedi Andermatt ‘ski butlers’ who are ready to warm up, or indeed whisk away your ski-boots in the ski lounge.
Rooms at The Chedi Andermatt are impressive. Gathy’s vision to combine Swiss and Asian influences result in stunning, decadent spaces; stand-alone hot tubs with views of the mountains, soothing walk –in rain showers, high spacious beds, tiny spotlights emulating a starry night’s sky, timber walls behind the bed. High end furnishings fuse beautifully with all the mod cons – windows, shutters lights and the double fire place (which heats both the bedroom and the outside terrace) are all Ipad controlled. There’s also a Bose sound system, huge flat screen TV and complimentary wifi.
If you can prize yourself away from your room, then The Restaurant and The Japanese, both managed by Executive Chef Mansour Memarion, offers up a truly unique and outstanding culinary experience served from 4 atelier kitchens, while there’s also a special cheese humidor where the very best artisanal cheeses are stored for you to sample.
Taking alpine chic to the true extreme, the Chedi Andermatt is a fabulous base from which to explore what is set to become the biggest ski area in Central Switzerland when complete. At present, Andermatt is a top ski destination for both beginners and advanced skiers who can delight in the sunny wide open slopes at an altitude of up to 3000 metres on Gemmstock. With a budget of CHF 135 million, the two ski areas of Andermatt and Sedrun will be connected and upgraded to feature 24 lifts and 2 aerial gondolas.
But not only is the Chedi a fantastic winter destination, there’s also a host of year round activities to enjoy from fishing in the Goscheneralp and Oberalp dams, to mountain biking through the terrain while enjoying the stunning views, or taking a horse and carriage ride for a peaceful cantor through the charming nearby villages.
Andermatt is also set to become a golfing hotspot, boasting an 18 hole course set against the backdrop of the mountains. Currently only open to hotel guests, the golf course and clubhouse will open to the public in 2016 offering up a world-class experience for players of all levels.
Slowly set to become one of the luxury hot spots, Andermatt is on the up… and up… Get in there fast to experience the charm of the Chedi. It’s worth every second of the 1.5 hour drive from Zurich airport. What’s more, if you don’t want to leave, you don’t have to, the Chedi Andermatt also offers opportunities for real estate ownership, making it a true home from home.
Rooms from CHF 700 per night per couple based on mid-Jan reservation:
