Once In A Lifetime Journey
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Djibouti
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malawi
      • Namibia
      • Rwanda
      • Somaliland
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Andorra
      • Azerbaijan
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Kosovo
      • Macedonia
      • Malta
      • Monaco
      • Montenegro
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • North & Central America
      • American Samoa
      • El Salvador
      • Guam
      • Guatemala
      • Hawaii
      • Honduras
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Peru
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Sudan
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Pacific
      • American Samoa
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Kiribati
      • Micronesia
      • Nauru
      • New Zealand
      • Palau
      • Samoa
      • Solomon Islands
      • Tonga
      • Tuvalu
      • Vanuatu
    • Southeast Asia
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Central & North Asia
      • Bhutan
      • Bangladesh
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Macau
      • Maldives
      • Mongolia
      • Nepal
      • North Korea
      • Pakistan
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Tibet
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      Cool & rare passport stamps from around the…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Simple steps to controling pre-flight anxiety

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      How to combat the fear of flying (Aerophobia)

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      Top tips for family travel stress

      January 21, 2021

  • Reviews
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Train, Planes & helicopters
    • Food & Drinks
    • Spa & Wellness
    • Tour & Activities
  • Resources
  • Wine Tourism
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Thailand
    • US
    • South Africa
  • Solo female travel
  • Countries visited: 115
  • Currently in : Singapore 🇸🇬
  • Partner with us
  • SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS COMMUNITY

Once In A Lifetime Journey

Once In A Lifetime Journey
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Djibouti
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malawi
      • Namibia
      • Rwanda
      • Somaliland
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Andorra
      • Azerbaijan
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Kosovo
      • Macedonia
      • Malta
      • Monaco
      • Montenegro
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • North & Central America
      • American Samoa
      • El Salvador
      • Guam
      • Guatemala
      • Hawaii
      • Honduras
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Peru
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Sudan
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Pacific
      • American Samoa
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Kiribati
      • Micronesia
      • Nauru
      • New Zealand
      • Palau
      • Samoa
      • Solomon Islands
      • Tonga
      • Tuvalu
      • Vanuatu
    • Southeast Asia
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Central & North Asia
      • Bhutan
      • Bangladesh
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Macau
      • Maldives
      • Mongolia
      • Nepal
      • North Korea
      • Pakistan
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Tibet
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      Cool & rare passport stamps from around the…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists…

      March 18, 2021

      Inspiration

      Simple steps to controling pre-flight anxiety

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      How to combat the fear of flying (Aerophobia)

      January 23, 2021

      Inspiration

      Top tips for family travel stress

      January 21, 2021

  • Reviews
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Train, Planes & helicopters
    • Food & Drinks
    • Spa & Wellness
    • Tour & Activities
  • Resources
  • Wine Tourism
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Thailand
    • US
    • South Africa
  • Solo female travel

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Never leave without travel insurance.

Alpine luxury villages – Andermatt or St. Moritz

by Mar February 14, 2016
Written by Mar
Andermatt at twilight

 

Alpine luxury Andermatt at twilight

Andermatt at twilight

In 1864, Alpine skiing mythology suggests the modern winter vacation was born from a bet. Caspar Badrutt, a local hotelier in St Moritz offered a money-back guarantee to four, or possibly five, British holiday-makers, offering a winter time trip to his Kulm Hotel that would be just as rewarding as the summer trip they were enjoying at the time. The bet was placed, the guarantee didn’t have to be paid out, and St Moritz started its journey as the capital of the wealthy and glamorous world of alpine skiing holidays.

Throughout the 20th century the popularity of Alpine skiing vacations grew, and St Moritz grew along with it. In hosted the Winter Olympic games in 1928 and 1948, and by the 1960s was the preferred alpine resort of the wealthy and fabulous, garnering no less than three references in James Bond novels that this writer is aware of, including being the neighbourhood for Ernst Blofeld’s mountain retreat.

St Moritz at night

St Moritz at night

Today, St Moritz maintains its rarified position with sporting events like the frozen-lake horse race, a shopping street full of international luxury brands and high-end art galleries and a restaurant cantilevered off the side of mountain. For those with unlimited budgets, there are equally unlimited options for consumption.

Approaching from the North East by car on a chill December evening, St Moritz does not disappoint. An illuminated Alpine town sitting behind the famous frozen lake of the same name, with lodges and grand hotels creeping up the valley sides.

Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains

Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains

The choice of hotel for this trip was the Grand Hotel de Bains. Founded in 1815 and now one of the three hotels in the Kempinski empire that they actually own (well, lease) rather than just manage. It is indeed a grand hotel, with direct access to the slopes, the eponymous baths now part of a luxury spa, and a general air of luxury and wealth.

Kempinski in St. Moritz

Kempinski in St. Moritz

Being 150 years old doesn’t come without cost however, and the standard rooms can be a bit cramped, especially if you are in the higher floors where the steeply-raked Alpine roof impinges. Service can also be a bit inconsistent given the top-end price tag, but they will win you over again with their spectacular breakfast.

A train ride through  the Oberalp pass, and the Glacier Express snakes its way to the town of Andermatt. Until 2013, Andermatt was a small skiing village, famous for the off-piste afforded by the Gemstock mountain, beneath which it lies. In the 1980s it suffered from underinvestment, whilst its close neighbours invested in facilities and accommodation to appeal to the emerging wealthy middle class. Accordingly, Andermatt remained the choice of the adventurous skier, but missed out on the apres-ski focused market whose dollars are now fueling other ski resorts.

Glacier Express views of Andermatt

Glacier Express views of Andermatt

Now, however this situation is being dramatically reversed, and a phased USD1.8bil investment by the Egyptian tycoon Samih Sawiris is making Andermatt the most significant change to the luxury alpine market in recent years.

The investment covers modernisation of the ski facilities, connecting to the nearby ski area of Sedrun, to create the largest ski area in central Switzerland, with more than 120km of runs. More interestingly perhaps, it includes an 18 hole championship golf course, presumably to attract the summer vacationer, and improve the proposition for those thinking of buying one of the new apartments, condominiums or chalets currently being built.

 

The Chedi Andermatt room

The Chedi Andermatt room

The starting point for the grand reinvigoration of Andermatt is the Chedi. Opened in December 2013, it is a true luxury hotel, with adjacent serviced residential apartments and penthouses.

Externally, the Chedi is a medium sized hotel, in a more-or-less traditional alpine style. Internally however, the meticulous design of Chedi architect Jean-Michel Gathy becomes apparent. Unsurprising then, it has more than a passing resemblance to other Chedi properties (dark woods, slate tiles, symmetrical design) but tempered by a very alpine feel with the open fireplaces and soft furnishings.

 

The rooms are stylish with large balconies and fireplaces which turn on at the touch of the iPad provided (which also controls lights and temperature, and has a button to summon your butler to explain how the iPad works).

Chedi Andermatt pool

Chedi Andermatt pool

Downstairs, there are indoor/outdoor swimming pools, a fantastically expensive thermal spa, a library/cigar lounge, ski-shop/museum, restaurants and a cheese-room. Suffice to say, the visual, tactile and gustatory delights just keep on coming.

Chedi Andermatt pool

Chedi Andermatt pool

These two alpine towns, and their respective hotels, leave the first time visitor with very different impressions. One of grand, if slightly faded, glamour; the other of villagey charm on the brink of substantial change. It is clear, however, that they are two points on the same trajectory, Andermatt is just placing its big bets on being the next hub for luxury winter sports, just as St moritz did 150 years ago.

 

  • Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa.
  • Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing.
  • I find all of my flights on KAYAK. Check their Deals section too.
  • Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway.
  • I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide, they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
  • Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb.
  • Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com.
  • Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com
AlpsAndermattEuropeHotelsSt MoritzSwitzerlandWinterwinter sports
0
FacebookTwitterPinterest

You may also like

Winter in Korea – where to go, festivals,...

Where to stay in the Faroe Islands

Where to stay in Bali – The ultimate...

Travel in Albania: Best things to do &...

Top-3 UNESCO countries: China, Spain and Italy –...

Top wineries near Barcelona to visit in 2020...

Top Things to do in Monaco – Luxury...

Top 5 reasons you should visit Moscow now

Things to do in Tirana Albania

Things to do in Sitges where to eat...

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Maldives vs Bora Bora, where will YOU have the best vacation?

    June 30, 2020
  • 2

    All the hipster, fun and cool things to do in New York

    June 30, 2020
  • 3

    Original and fabulous gifts for travelers for any occasion

    December 3, 2017
  • 4

    The world’s least visited countries – Unknown and rare destinations

    June 22, 2020
  • 5

    300+ Instagram bio quotes and captions to rock your feed

    December 14, 2019
  • 6

    100+ Great Things to do in Seoul

    August 18, 2020

Recent Posts

  • 50+ Insider South Korea travel tips from a long term expat

    April 7, 2021
  • 10 things you didn’t know about traveling to South Korea

    April 5, 2021
  • Cool & rare passport stamps from around the world

    March 18, 2021
  • How to move to Australia

    March 18, 2021
  • Day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona by a local

    March 18, 2021
  • Is El Salvador safe to visit for tourists and travelers in 2020?

    March 18, 2021

follow US on instagram

DIVING INTO THE WEEKEND FEET FIRST - Who else is r DIVING INTO THE WEEKEND FEET FIRST - Who else is ready for an amazing weekend of sun, sand and vitamin C 😎
.
#bensleycollection #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #hotelpool #siemreap #luxuryhotel #BillBensley @shintamani.angkor.bensley
MY FAVORITE VIEW - I love walking around the other MY FAVORITE VIEW - I love walking around the other side of @gardensbythebay and this particular spot. There is a bench there that has the best view. I take my cycle, stop at the hawker on the other side, and take my dim sum and fresh fruit to eat with this view. Sunsets from there are amazing.
.
#gardensbythebaysingapore #MarinaBaySands #marinabay #marinabayeast #SingaporeContentCreator #singaporesunset #singaporeflyer @singaporeflyer #flowerdome
SINGAPORE'S G-SPOT πŸ˜…πŸ˜… Just kidding. Drone sh SINGAPORE'S G-SPOT πŸ˜…πŸ˜… Just kidding. Drone shot taken from Lazarus Island one of 60+ offshore islands in Singapore. I only realised it had this G shape when I took the drone up. Always love to see the view from above.
.
#DroneShot #dronephotography #girlswhodrone #dronepilot #Singaporedrone #dronelife #DjiMavic #viewfromabove #Fromwhereidrone
HIGHER UP - Gardens by the Bay view from above, my HIGHER UP - Gardens by the Bay view from above, my favorite place in Singapore for sure. This was taken from @marinabaysands not from a drone.
#Singaporeview #Singaporedrone #SingaporeFromAbove #GardensbytheBay #MarinaBaySands #gardensbythebaysingapore #SingaporeIG #SingaporeContentCreator
JEWEL - Without travelers Jewel is just another sh JEWEL - Without travelers Jewel is just another shopping mall, but with an incredible design. There's something about the water and the greenery that makes it feel wet, humid and jungly.  There's nothing at the mall I'd like to buy, (I dislike malls anyway) but love checking out the place and explore the wall gardens around the central area.
.
#JewelSingapore #Jewel @jewelchangiairport #ChangiAirport #SingaporeAirport #SingaporeTravel #ExploringSingapore #DomesticTravel
TIME TO RELAX - As the Chinese New Year holiday se TIME TO RELAX - As the Chinese New Year holiday sets in I'm enjoying the silence I had missed for last many months working from home in Singapore.
.
So many of you asked what I was up to since I have barely posted in the last year, I have been in Singapore with borders closed and no ability to travel. After 16y as an expat and 50% of the year on the road it has been difficult to not be able to for so long. I also thought nobody really cares to see Singapore and, to be fair, I don't usually post the typical IG shots here so didn't want to just share the pictures of Singapore you probably have see a million times. But tell me:
.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO POST PICTURES OF MY LOCAL EXPLORATION IN SINGAPORE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS πŸ€—
.
#luxurytravel #shintamani #billbensley #ShintaManiSiemReap #Bathtubshot #flowerbath #girlsgetaway #luxuryhotel #BensleyCollection
@shintamani_wild knows me wel: Wine + wilderness + @shintamani_wild knows me wel: Wine + wilderness + jungle + a pile of @natgeotravel magazines = Happy Mar
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #Cambodia #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravelgirlswhotravel
A bathtub with a view and with its own waterfall s A bathtub with a view and with its own waterfall soundtrack - Result!
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintaManiWild #BensleyCollection #Cambodia #luxuryvillas  #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
DREAMING OF TRAVEL AGAIN - I have finally booked a DREAMING OF TRAVEL AGAIN - I have finally booked a flight again, not to an exciting place but to one that I'm very excited about: home.
.
And talking about travel dreaming...
This photo was taken at Bill Bensley @shintamani_wild at the @natgeo tent hence the many magazines, the tent was full of them some of the issues were 50+ years old, it was fascinating to read the first issues that covered Dian Fossey or some of really remote tribes. It was hard to peel my eyes off the stunning photos and enjoy the remote and beautiful destination, the piece of wild forest where the camp is.
.
I don't think I'll be doing much travel before the end of the year but I hope to travel to west Africa in November/ December / January, for a real adventure and maybe a safari too.
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #NatGeo #NatGeoTravel #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #Cambodia #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS - have you ever slept unde A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS - have you ever slept under the stars? Where?
.
I did in Tanzania and in the Maldives at @gili.lankanfushi but I am sometimes worried about the mosquitoes πŸ˜‚ thankfully, @shintamani.angkor.bensley sorted this with nets!
.
#ShintaManiFoundation #ShintamaniSiemReap #bensleycollection #BensleyCollectionSiemReap #luxuryvillas #underthestars #catalanspelmon #ViatgersDC #damestravel #dametravel #sheisnotlost #girlswhotravel
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin

About

  • ABOUT ONCE IN A LIFE TIME JOURNEY
  • ABOUT THE TEAM
  • WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
  • PRESS
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Reach Out

  • CONTACT US
  • PARTNER

Quick Links

  • SITEMAP
  • BOOKS
  • INCOME
  • DIGITAL MARKETING
  • DISCLAIMER

Copyright © 2019 . All Rights Reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program