Chalet N Top Luxury Ski Chalet

Chalet N Top Luxury Ski Chalet

Chalet N Top Luxury Ski Chalet

The famous Austrian ski region of the Arlberg includes the resort of Lech which has a charm and tranquillity that attracts rather discerning guests.  It could be described as serving ‘old money’ compared to the more brand aware high profile resorts of Gstaad and Courchevel 1850 where guests like to show their newfound wealth.  Lech was the first resort to limit the number of ski passes on the basis of ‘when is a beautiful mountain not beautiful - when there are too many skiers’.  The skiing is as extensive as you wish to make it as the ski pass can include the nearby world class resort of St. Anton.  However, more locally, there is the charming ‘White Ring’ that comprises blue and red runs that weave their way around and across the local valleys.  
A real breath of fresh air is that the ski lifts are clearly named, reflect modern architecture and have sophisticated engineering, so that lifts can criss-cross at the base station whilst most avoid the unnecessary steps bizarrely built into most lift stations.   
The resort and satellite hamlet of Zurs are in a stunning valley overlooked by the small community that is Oberlech.  Here you will find what appear to be two ski-in/ski-out inter-connected chalets in a commanding location with views to die for.  “They” are actually ‘chalet N’ cleverly disguising its massive 4,800 square metres floor space.  As if that is not enough space, the 24 staff members have a neighbouring chalet.  
       
In keeping with the discreet approach of Lech, this modern chalet understates its promise, Range Rovers will collect and deliver you to the chalet.  A rather imposing forged metal front door opens out into a seductively long vista of firstly, an expansive sitting area with subdued lighting then a wide corridor continues leading the eye into the distance.  The finishes are predominantly old timbers; we were to discover there are literally thousands of square meters of it on ceilings and floors.  Quite how they sourced it all to match throughout is a marvel.
It is not all traditional; the media room has LEDs on each corner of the many leather clad wall panels; very sharp.  The cellar is magic not only for its wines which included a near emptied bin of La Tache ’82, but the wooden arches emulated an old structure each lined with stainless steel; inspired.  
There are seven suites; the master suite is vast whilst the others are merely very spacious complete with a dressing room and living area, balconies and views abound.  I kept discovering little extras, that wooden box on the desk contained chocolates and so it went on with a bathroom containing enough Hermes products to stock a shop.  We all felt very comfortable indeed.  In addition to the suites, there is a four-bedded bunk room; it was quite brilliant to the extent children would offer to go to bed.
The mainly glazed link between the two chalet elements on one floor had a billiard table; no table could have better views.  There was also a big stairwell, you may have gathered that the décor was very restrained, here surely was an opportunity to have a spectacular chandelier, perhaps a very modern one by Dale Chihuly would have been great.
The spa, wellness and beauty area had to be explored it was so large and comprehensive.  The swimming pool’s walls were in textured black stone and the ceiling had a silver leaf finish, the combination worked well particularly as the lustrous silver reflected the movement of the water so effectively.
Venturing further, there is a maze of facilities, let’s start with the salt-cave steam bath, hay sauna and then Finnish sauna.  The centre piece – good for navigation is a Swarovski crystal shower and another couple of pools to cool off before retreating to the meditation rooms. Of course, there is also an al fresco hot tub.  By-passing the comprehensively kitted out gym which was as usual is totally soulless, the in-house hairdresser and masseur have their lairs.  Finally there is a locker room for skis and kit with its own lift to the ground floor.  Appealingly, the outside door opens automatically anticipating your arms are holding skis, etc.
Of course there are several dining areas to choose from, we ate dinner in the formal dining room, breakfast in a more intimate rustic room, you can also dine in the atmospheric cellar or indeed on the terrace.  The food matched the quality of everything else; truly splendid as the head chef has celebrity; successfully having his recipe book published, etc.
Who would make a good ski instructor, nothing less than a charming world champion of course?  The staff members were all over-qualified, attentive and personable; it was happily not a ‘flunky’ service, despite having a butler service.  The tone is set when you note the team is led by a host, not a manager.  
 
Passing over the basic £230,000 per week quickly (a bargain compared to yacht charter), chalet N has achieved a success that I have seen attempted elsewhere without the same results. The bookings reflect that success.
http://www.oxfordprivatetravel.com/
Ski Insurance: www.mpibrokers.com
http://www.chalet-n.com