Huntsman Triple

Spoil yourself rotten

Nestled into it’s very own enchanted forest sits CERVO Mountain Resort's crowning glory; you wind your way through the snow dusted pine trees along your own private boardwalk and The Lodge materialises before you. Lit like a beacon she beckons you forth, door wide open in welcome. A fairytale entrance for a very special chalet, a real one-off property that ensures you feel every bit as special as she does.

CERVO Mountain Resort is undoubtedly a fine example of a stylish, yet subtle hotel residence, one that blends seemlessly with its surroundings and has the sense of a very plush hunter’s lodge. The Lodge sits just as comfortably in her more contemporary skin. Strikingly angular her exterior is softened by the local stone and vintage wood cladding. Large picture windows are her eyes out onto the white world spread-out before her, and my what a view.

Once warmly ensconced, you admire these views from the cleverly designed main living space; windows on three sides give an almost panoramic view of Zermatt spilling out before you. The lights from the village below twinkle like little stars, drawing your eye up the valley towards the majestic Matterhorn, and then on up to the real, star-lit night sky. The views seem more striking still from your own out-door whirlpool.

If you can draw yourself away from all this star gazing it must be time to sit before the crackling open log fire and crack open the first bottle of Champagne. Raise a toast to your very fine taste in chalets; not only is the The Lodge a very fine private residence, but you also have all the advantages of her connection to the 5* CERVO Mountain Resort. Including a sumptuous breakfast served in the hotel – or right here in the chalet. The choice is yours.

Your bags materialise in your bedrooms courtesy of the excellent concierge team, skis neatly stored in the boot room, ski boots lined up ready to become toasty warm on the boot warmers in time for that first lift. Or the first lift you plan to catch, at any rate. The clever design of this contemporary forest lodge grants magnificent views from every room, including the very spacious bedroom suites. Though each is designed beautifully and simply with stripped back, white clad ceilings and walls and pretty tartan features, the master suite is in a league of it’s own. All have expansive windows, the roof suite a sense of light airy space from the double height ceiling, and beds are luxuriously comfortable, hand-crafted Kings from Hästens.

The Master suite’s showstopper bathroom is quite exceptional, achieving somehow the feel of a super-luxe hospital bathroom. White and angular with chrome fittings, but there is nothing cold and clinical here. The whirlpool bath is positioned alongside the vast glass wall, which bestows glorious views while you bathe, and a sauna and samarium completes the impressive list of special features.

If you choose to cook then the kitchen will not disappoint. Stylish and contemporary it is a joy to spend time in, and has all the mod cons guaranteed to make whipping up a feast a total breeze. The wonderful local produce will help too of course, and just to make it even easier a fridge fill service means you don’t even have to shop for ingredients. Unless you fancy a little retail therapy of course; in which case allow the hotel concierge to organise a charming little electro taxi to whizz you into town.

One of the joys of Zermatt is undoubtedly the fine choice of gourmet restaurants on your doorstep. You will sample these across the mountain range as you ski from Switzerland, to Italy and back. The pasta and coffee are just sublime on the Italian side; but the Swiss chocolates and Gluhwein are hard to beat.

A good day’s skiing is rounded off by a great après gathering at CERVO’s chic mountainside bar. Ski-in, drop off your kit and sit back on the terrace, glass of wine in hand before the glowing fire and enjoy the live music. The entertainment has come to you; this is VIP treatment and you deserve nothing less.