Luxury Lodging Swamps the Alps, Particularly Verbier
Luxury Lodging Swamps the Alps, Particularly Verbier
Published : 12-Oct-2010 09:04
Considering the dire straits that the country is supposed to be in, it seems a little odd just how many new luxury chalets are opening across the Alps this winter, including in top notch destination Verbier. Tour operators like Crystal Finest have announced expanded programmes too, and report that while the big picture is of declining business across the UK as a whole, their turnover was up last season.The biggest news in luxury lodging looks set to be the new 'No 14' chalet in Verbier which its owners Verbier Exclusive (+44 (0) 20 8871 0427; www.verbierexclusive.com) are promoting as, "arguably the most exciting new chalet to hit the Swiss Alps in four years."
Why so special? Well the new chalet has been built by the same team who were responsible for Richard Branson's 'The Lodge' in Verbier, one of the contenders for the 'world's most luxurious chalet' title with prices peaking at a few pennies under £100,000 ffor exclusive use over New Year's week.
No 14 is coming in at a rather more affordable £91,000 for that week this winter and points out it's even better value as you get more beds for your bucks with sleeping for up to 28 guests in 13 stylish en suite bedrooms,
Formerly known as Hotel Les Rois Mages, No.14 Verbier (the new name derives from its address, 14 Rue de la Velle) is currently completing its multi-million-pound renovation and facilities will include a 10-metre indoor pool, steam room, cold plunge pool, two treatment rooms, a large indoor Jacuzzi and 2 outdoor cedar hot tubs as well as leather-walled cinema and games room, library and bar.
No. 14 will have a staff of 14 dedicated professionals, including two highly experienced managers who know Verbier inside-out, a Michelin-trained head chef, an in-house masseuse and a team of drivers who will be on call 24-7 to take clients to and from the slopes, or out to sample some of Verbier's legendary nightlife.
No.14's owner, David Pearson is now a veteran of Verbier's ski industry, having founded chalet company Ski Verbier in 1992, building it up to a portfolio of 17 chalets which he subsequently bought in 2005 to CV Travel.
David then joined forces with polar explorer Tom Avery, with whom he worked alongside at Ski Verbier for three years, to create Verbier Exclusive. Tom is one of only 41 people in history to have reached both North and South Poles on foot and has scaled unclimbed Himalayan mountains and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for leading "the fastest surface journey to the North Pole".
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