An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From £32,500 for whole chalet
Sublime designer super-chalet
in plum position in Verbier
usp
Pack away all thoughts you might have of what makes a stunning ski chalet, for No14 – named after its address, at 14 Rue de la Velle – sets the bar higher than ever before. It is sparklingly new, opening just in time for the 2010/2011 season, and we will chuck away our skis if it isn’t fully booked within weeks.
location
Ten minutes up from Place Centrale in the heart of Verbier, it has panoramic views from the top floors out across to Bruson on the other side of the stunning valley.
style
The chalet has been breathtakingly interior designed by Fiona Barratt, the designer behind Sir Richard Branson’s pad up the road. It is all charcoal greys, snowy whites, silvers and midnight blacks, and the fabrics are velvet, cashmere, distressed concrete, leather and stained old wood. Just wow with a capital Wuh. ^
rooms
There are ten doubles and three suites, most of which have balconies with glorious views across the valley. Black lacquered tables and mirrors tone with grey silk curtains and blinding white bed linen, with white leather and baby blue wool blankets (in our room), while bathrooms are all slate and chrome. The quality of the fittings is faultless: the mattresses are Vi-Spring, the linen Frette, and the toiletries by Bamford
organics. ^
food & drink
The chalet has spared no expense in recruiting a top notch chef with a glittering CV. Dan Cox was latterly the head chef at Roux at Parliament Square in London, and he produces dishes that reflect his impressive culinary career. We feasted on a scallop tartar amuse bouche followed by beetroot with whipped goats cheese and truffle, then spanking fresh wild sea bass with chervil gnocchi, salsify and vanilla butter. Dessert was some braised golden pineapple creation that was one of the best desserts we have ever had. ^
Multi-course fine dining tends to be the order of the day at No. 14, but guests can have lighter meals if requested. Food is sourced locally where possible too, while wines include an excellent choice of four house reds and four house whites plus Perrier Jouet and Mumm champagne. Fine wines are also on offer, at an extra fee, ranging from 35CHF a bottle to 290CHF for vintage champagne. ^
service
The chalet is generously staffed. There are 11 friendly young men and women bustling about including three drivers and three chefs, plus an in-house massage therapist. ^
spa facilities
Just dreamy. As you might expect, this place has got everything spa-related just right: there is a proper-length 10m pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, cold plunge pool, big relaxation area all around the pool and two private treatment rooms. You could happily hang out in the spa area all day and forget the skiing. ^
children
When we stayed there were little ones running around enjoying the chalet and making it home. Although No.14 is beautifully designer, it still manages to work well for children. There are heaps of toys and board games, baby paraphernalia ranging from rubber bath mats to bath toys and organic bubble bath, Wii’s and Xboxes, Blueray DVDs, Sky HD on all the TVs and of course the pool to play in, under parental supervision. The nursery slope is also just across the road and down the piste; you can simply sledge down to it. ^
extras
There is wifi throughout, a gorgeously cosy cinema room with sink-into giant sofas, Xboxes and Wii’s, a 24-hour driver service, two guest Macs including a laptop and desktop and the in-house massage therapist. ^
for skiers
Verbier is a grown-up, world class ski resort, with 410km of skiing for all levels and particularly excellent, accessible off-piste. If you haven’t skied there yet, do so as soon as possible. There are even world-beating mogul runs, should you love bump skiing, and lots of great events such as the Nissan Xtreme Verbier in March and the XSpeedSki in April. ^
for non skiers
The town is a vibrant, bustling, big resort with loads of shops selling everything from the inevitable ski gear to gorgeous home furnishings. If you want a cowskin rug or some designer lighting or the latest Moncler ski jacket, Verbier is the place. ^
Corporate Groups
Perfect for corporate breaks because the chalet's 13 bedrooms can be set up for either twin or double occupancy. Their flexible booking policy also allows groups to stay for as little as three nights. ^
best thing
Er, where to start. Just everything, but probably the knock-out designer interiors. ^
worst thing
There are a couple of quite small rooms at the top of
the chalet in the eaves, although they are infinitely stylish. ^
getting there
Verbier is 1hr 45mins from Geneva and 45 mins from Sion. Transfers can be arranged by the chalet at an extra cost. ^
bottom line
No.14 Verbier costs from £32,500 to £78,000 for exclusive use, with weekend rates from £36,400 and reverse Sunday-Thursday weekends from just £18,200 (working out at around £700pp for four nights). ^
bookings & enquiries
If you would like to make an enquiry or a booking, please email enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk. Remember, we have visited all the chalets we feature so can give you totally unbiased, independent advice on all of them. The prices we quote are also the list prices quoted by the chalets themselves, so there is no advantage in going to the chalets direct.
Chalet - 10
Service - 9
Room - 9
Food & Drink - 9
Luxury - 10
Pack posh. No slouching here – you will want to bring your smartest chalet wear.
Quickfinder
• Summer
• Weekends, short stays
• USP
* Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
* Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Corporate Groups
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Bookings & Enquiries
• Other chalets in this resort
• Other contemporary chalets
• Other chalets to suit corporate groups
• Other designer chalets
• Boutique weeks and shared chalets
verbier
RESORT GUIDE
The Chic Chalet Guide to Verbier
how to book
Email: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
“No.14 Verbier is in a class of its own. To have so many of our friends and family so well looked after in such opulence was way above our expectations. Thank you all so much."
weekends or short stays
No.14 will take exclusive use weekend bookings at any time (except during school holiday weeks). For weekend reservations made within two months of departure, it is also possible to book rooms on an individual room basis. The same applies to reverse weekend reservations, although some reverse weekends are available for individual room reservations several months in advance. Just get in touch with us to find out more.
St Anton | Les Cerniers | Chamonix | Courchevel 1650 | St Gervais | Les Gets | Laax | Lech | Megève | Méribel | St Martin de Belleville | St Moritz | Nendaz
Portes du Soleil | Sainte Foy | Sierre-Anniviers | Tignes les Brévières | La Tzoumaz | Val d'Entremont | Val d'Isère | Verbier | Veysonnaz | Zermatt