Beausite

Zermatt’s grand design hotel BEAUSiTE has been the abode of choice for mountaineers, pleasure-seekers, adventurists, Matterhorn enthusiasts and the ski fraternity since originally opening its Belle Époque doors in 1907. Perched high, this reborn majesty presides over the larch-wrapped resort of Zermatt in the Swiss canton of Valais, a place that rekindles the Geist of Golden Age alpinism.

Cloaked behind the welcoming masthead festooned across the second-floor iron balcony and ornate façade, tiled turrets, architraves and imposing grandeur, the hotel interiors of the BEAUSiTE are au contraire, a rather more chilled, casual love affair of luxury. 

Drama courtesy of the doorstop nature, Swiss craftsmanship, mountaineering history and eccentric Britishness headline the interiors by creative soulmate Claudia Silberschmidt of design studio Atelier Zürich. The design narrative threads the beauty of Belle Époque interiors with a colour swatch matched with nature, further upping the ante by nodding to the region’s alpine history.

Bold colours define each space - the reception shimmies in dark fir green and green-grey glacier-water tones with a leafy wallpaper that encloses you in a forest feel. The peached pink cocoon of the restaurant is simultaneously modern and vintage; the Grill has accents of rock-climbing gear adopting the colour of the flame-red metal clips to coat the industrial chandeliers. Velvets, fringing, and Viennese weave by Thonet usher the art nouveau vibe against fabrics from Sonnhaus and locals, such as Girsberge. Harking back to the early days of Zermatt’s pioneers, a nod to British flair is in evidence and gives the hotel serious design credentials from Mulberry textiles, touchy-feely prints from Christopher Farr, George Smith handcrafted sofas, House of Hackney wallpaper and designer lighting from Ebb & Flow.

The intriguing and ever-dominating Matterhorn peak, the most photographed mountain in the world, is a constant, framed by the countless hotel’s vistas, and is really the story behind Zermatt and, therefore, BEAUSiTE. From the construction boom and new railway line to the stream of tourists, climbers, alpinists and explorers paying deep homage to the jagged pyramid, the lure of the Matterhorn formed part of the 18th-century Grand Tour of Wonders to be experienced in Europe.

Today, BEAUSiTE, that translates as ‘the beautiful seat’ is a glamour pot of style and design and its compelling legacy of golden age alpinism, is cleverly retold.

BEAUSiTE is geared with modern creature comforts and high-spec design elements – which neatly frame the Matterhorn vistas. Accommodation within the hotel’s 61 contemporary rooms and suites are luxurious, fun and deliberately easy going with a melange of interior comforts by George Smith, tropical headboards ‘Fantasia Spice’ by Mulberry are fringed in cordage and custom-made table lamps ‘Pillar Golden Smoke Dimples’ by Ebb & Flow complete the feel of glamour.

Be king or queen of the castle and take the Tower Spa Suite, a luminous and capacious hideaway over two floors complete with steam bath and whirlpool. Elsewhere, the suites sport designer wooden bath tubs, oak parquet floors and large balconies.

Foodies can relax at the BEAUSiTE with two restaurants, a fondue hut and the wine box and bar. Go classic fondue with bread, potatoes and cold meats or supercharge with a truffle fondue. The Grill is the hotel’s signature restaurant, dynamic and dramatic with fiery red chandeliers serves up wood-fired mountain inspired meats, fish and vegtarian dishes. There’s also a cosy bar with fireplace, terrace for sunny afternoons and Wine Box – a wood-cocooned spot for vino appreciation, as directed by BEAUSiTE’s sommelier.

There are plenty of ways to replenish the soul (and weary muscles) in BEAUSiTE’s spa. Swim inside or outside, gazing at the Matterhorn while you do your laps in the steamy infinity pool. Work out in the custom-designed wooden Nohrd gym, lined with House of Hackney wallpaper. Be greeted by installation ‘Swymposium’ by Swiss artist Daniel Cherbuin as you enjoy the wet zone, made up of bubbly whirlpool, Finnish sauna, Hammam, infrared cabin and Vitarium. Or succumb to a massage – just decide which - energy massage, hot stone massage or a herbal compress – and away you go to the land of relaxation.

At 1,620m above sea level, the air is always pristine and crisp, Zermatt is also blissfully car-free, leaving the cars in Täsch to get on one of the Zermatt shuttle trains which whizz you into the mountain village in just twelve minutes. There are also trains and buses that run from Swiss international airports Geneva and Zurich too. Wherever you are in Zermatt, the Matterhorn at a majestic 4,478 m above sea level, watches over you – the village’s elevated position means that great views circumnavigate you, made of up charming, cobbled streets, chocolate box appeal, traditional chalets and yes, lots of spots for après ski. If you’re not here to ski, although this can be done 365 days year thanks to the Theodul Glacier, enjoy the Gornergrat Railway, the Matterhorn Museum and the Gorner Gorge and of course foodies are well catered for with fondues, mountain hut cuisine and four Michelin-starred restaurants. Winter ski is an important attraction here with 360 kilometres of pistes – Theodul Pass, Furi and Riffelberg, stretching over to Sunnegga ski area. 

The Hotel Beau-Site was originally built by August Gindraux from Biel and opened in 1907. Today, the hotel is privately owned by the Aufdenblatten and Julen families from Zermatt who acquired the property in 1963. Their mantra is beautifully simple: “We are reviving the Golden Age of alpinism – colourful, cheerful and with a wink, and operating our hotel as a place where service culture is very important“.  Visionaries, the family understand what defines this corner of Switzerland and their hotel BEAUSiTE of today is coveted.