An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From £15,380 exclusive chalet per week
Fabulously spacious chalet
perched high above Zermatt
usp
Take a deep breath, exhale and relax – welcome to the perfectly chilled, serene world of Chalet Les Anges. Although designed with the concept of “entertainment in beautiful surroundings” in mind, and it does fulfil that brief perfectly, there is an overwhelming sense of calm that defines this spacious chalet. Once you have relaxed into the Les Anges vibe, you’ll never want to leave.
location
The chalet is in the exclusive residential Petit Village area of Zermatt, with stunning views across the resort to the awe-inspiring peak of the Matterhorn. This quiet zone is full of smart, privately run chalets and although the bars and restaurants are a distance away, this is not an issue because a taxi is on near-permanent stand-by for guests, ready to take them wherever they want to go, including to the main ski lifts during the day.
You needn’t go down into the town to access the lift system though, as a five-minute walk up behind the chalet will take you to the piste from where you can ski down to the Sunnegga lift. This lift takes you up to Sunnegga Paradise and Rothorn Paradise with links into Gornergrat and over into Matterhorn Glacier paradise and Schwarzsee Paradise. At the end of the day, with a bit of planning, you can conveniently ski within a couple minutes walk back down to the chalet, or you might choose to finish the skiing day with a little après ski in the town and have the chalet organise to bring you back up to the Petit Village. ^
style
Les Anges is a sleek, contemporary chalet whose design is a very modern take on the best Alpine tradition. Brand new for the 2010 winter season, this new build has a surprisingly warm and welcoming feel. While the exterior uses stone (look for the triangular shaped stones that echo the Matterhorn) and lighter shades of timber, the interior walls are made of dark stained reclaimed wood, but that is not to say it is gloomy – far from it. High ceilings, the vast expanse of the open living area, double height windows plus skylight, all coupled with decently proportioned entrances and hallways, make for a gloriously light and airy space. With a spectacular central fireplace of steel and glass set amid soft furnishings of taupe and grey, touches of leather and fur and clever designer lighting adjusted throughout the day, a perfect ambience has been created for entertainment and relaxation. The living room comfortably takes a baby grand piano in the corner but manages to retain a warm intimacy. ^
rooms
The bedrooms, all en suite, are spacious and comfortable. All with the exception of one have views out across Zermatt, and their own terrace or balcony. The two larger bedrooms each have a fire, one more of a feature than the other – positioned in the wall between the bathroom and the bedroom so you can soak in the bath while viewing the Matterhorn through flickering flames. Keeping with the ethos of tranquillity and escape, a conscious decision has been taken not to put TVs in the bedrooms – there is a dedicated TV room if you need it. As you would expect, the beds boast crisp white linen, the pillows and duvets are sumptuous and there are huge fluffy towels and bathrobes. Light marble tiled bathrooms feature chrome fittings and sandstone hand basins. Complimentary toiletries are from Le Jardin des Alps – a range created from Alpine flowers and herbs. ^
food & drink
Experienced, Michelin star trained chefs under the guidance of executive chef Angeline Davies provide you with the best of whatever you like to eat. The team are happy to discuss menus and food preferences and will create anything from a seven course gourmet meal to comfort food in front of the fire. At Chalet Les Anges, “good ingredients speak for themselves”, according to Angeline, who sources local ingredients from small boutique producers as far as possible.
The menus wholeheartedly reflect this simple philosophy, with dishes such as a fresh and crisp starter of fennel and apple salad with candied walnuts and gorgonzola, or a herb-crusted local rack of lamb for a main. Desserts were irresistible, with temptations such as spiced molten chocolate cake, warm cherries and vanilla ice cream, followed by a fabulous cheese to finish – a dripping warm chaumes, from local producer Miriam at Horu Kasserei, being our particular favourite.
Local wines feature too, with an excellent house selection from the Val Valais – the Swiss it seems keep all their best produce within their own borders. The à la carte menu offers up quality French classics, top Italian vintages and a superb range from New World cellars. Every day the chef will recommend wines from the à la carte list to match the food being served. The house champagne is Perrier-Jouet and the à la carte PJ Vintage range includes Belle Epoque and Vintage Rose. If you have a particular favourite wine or champagne that isn’t on the wine list, the chalet will be happy to order it in for you, but do let them know in advance of your stay.
Canapés and champagne are served daily before dinner. The canapés vary depending on what is good at the market and local shops that day. Among the delicious array we sampled was an inspired combination of grilled apple scented polenta with black pudding and spicy tomato jam and a mouth watering carpaccio of beef with truffled mustard dressing topped with mature shaved cows cheese. Choose a healthy or hearty start to the day with a breakfast of anything from freshly squeezed juices, homemade muesli, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs to blueberry pancakes, fresh baked croissant or a full English. And at the end of the skiing day return to an afternoon tea of yummy cakes and savoury snacks – your choice or let the chef surprise you!^
service
Les Anges aims for, and achieves, a feeling of pure indulgence, with four dedicated staff allocated to the chalet. The operator’s managers trained at Greycoat, the UK specialist in first class domestic staff recruitment and training, and you can tell. They are attentive professionals, and anticipated our needs perfectly so we rarely had to ask for anything. ^
spa facilities
A large and well thought out wellness area is located on the lower floor of the chalet. Gentle bird song plays over the tinkle of the water feature, creating a soothing atmosphere, while in the treatment room serene lighting and soft silver barked tree trunk lined walls create the perfect environment in which to be to transported from all your worldly cares. There is a steam room, a sauna and a shower area. The Jacuzzi is positioned to enjoy yet more views of the ever-dominant Matterhorn and you literally step out of the spa area onto the deck and into the steaming hot tub. All sorts of treatments can be organised – massages, facials and so on. Yoga can be arranged and in the summer Les Anges organises yoga and spa retreats where you can book an individual room rather than having to take the whole chalet. ^
children
There are toys and games in the TV room. Special cooking sessions can be organised where children can learn to make their own pizzas and bake chocolate brownies. Babysitting facilities, nannies, high chairs, cots, changing facilities and a baby listening service are all available, and the chalet will even turn an unused room into a playroom for the week, if there is availability. Private lessons or ski school for aged threes and upwards can be arranged, with children being taken to ski school each day by the staff and collected and entertained afterwards. Children’s lunch and supper can be arranged every day.
extras
If there is a special occasion to celebrate, the staff at Les Anges will organise anything from a birthday cake to a full-scale party, complete with live music in the chalet – the grand piano isn’t there for nothing! Aside from the living area there is a spacious and comfortable room with a large flatscreen plasma TV, a superb collection of design and art books, games and a fully stocked bar. There is also Sky TV, Wii and PlayStation. A fully integrated sound system operates throughout the chalet so wherever you are, luxuriating in the bath for instance, you can listen to your favourite music or a radio station without imposing your choice on anyone else. The ski locker has heated boot racks and baskets of goodies for the slopes that include bottles of water, hand warmers, homemade flapjacks and sun block. There is a lift to all floors and a dedicated desk with a laptop, wifi and printer for guests to use.
for skiers
Zermatt is a vast ski area with slopes suitable for all levels, as well as offering plenty of off-piste for the more adventurous. Instructors from Stoked, the local ski school, can be pre-booked in advance of stays, especially for peak weeks. They cover all abilities, and will guide you around the resort making sure you get the best snow conditions while giving you tuition. Other instructors from other ski schools can be booked too, if requested. Adventurous days out heliskiing can be arranged. Ski hire can be organised in advance and skis will be ready and waiting at the chalet when you arrive. ^
for non skiers
Chalet Les Anges has a great space for yoga sessions (a local instructor can be booked easily), plus a TV room with DVD and digital satellite. There are toys, games, books, CDs, DVDs and videos galore, plus an iPod docking station – and all the attractions of the resort itself, of course. Wellness days at the finest spa in town can also be booked, or an afternoon with the local cheese maker, watching and learning about their art – or you can enjoy a cooking course with the chef in your chalet. The Zermatt museum sited under the glass dome of the former casino offers a fascinating stroll back in history through state-of-the-art presentations so you can experience the old world of Zermatt including the terrifying first ascent of the Matterhorn. ^
corporate groups
The chalet sleeps up to 26 in combination with state-of-the-art sister chalet Maurice nearby. It would be a spectacular venue for a corporate party, with the finest views of the Matterhorn from its hillside terraces, its large living space, fantastic wellness area, top champagne and gourmet meals. ^
best thing
At dawn watching the play of light over the Matterhorn from the comfort of your huge bed, and the canapés. ^
worst thing
The one bedroom that doesn’t have a view across Zermatt to the Matterhorn. ^
getting there
Chalet Les Anges is accessible from either Geneva or Zurich airport and you can be picked up by car or take the train (both are extra). The train from Geneva takes 4 hours (5 hours from Zurich) and brings you into the centre of Zermatt where there are lots of taxis or horse drawn sleighs to take you up to the chalet.
A taxi takes about 3hrs 30 mins from Geneva, 4hrs 30mins from Zurich. Alternatively you could drive, but you need to stop and park at Täsch and get into a taxi, or take the train, to bring you the remaining 7km (Zermatt is car free).
A helicopter transfer from either Zurich or Geneva takes around an hour. ^
bottom line
Chalet Les Anges sleeps 14 and costs from £15,380 exclusive chalet per week, including breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, champagne and house wine. It has to be booked exclusively – they don’t do it by the room, except for yoga retreats during the summer months. ^
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 - 10
Room - 9
Food & Drink - 10
Luxury - 10
Soak in a hot bath with co-director and executive chef Angeline’s lovely homemade bath bomb. Ingredients include dried rose petals from her garden, oatmeal, milk powder and olive oil. Sublime!
Quickfinder
• USP
• Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
• Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Corporate Groups
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Summer
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Bookings & Enquiries
• Summer
• Other chalets in Zermatt
• Other chalets to suit corporate groups
zermatt
RESORT GUIDE
The Chic Chalet Guide to Zermatt
how to book
Email: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
"What a trip – thank you so much. Les Anges is out of this world! All in all very spoiling."
"What an awesome team! It does not get better, and thank your outstanding ‘dream team’ for a truly wonderful time at Les Anges. It has been truly dreamlike staying here."
“Thank you so much. I love you guys! The best company in the best chalet with the best food and service.”
“Thanks for a wonderful week. The chalet is amazing, skiing great, weather fantastic… but more than anything this place stands out because of the people here… Josh, Kerry, Angeline, well done and thank you.”
“I had the best time ever in this lovely chalet. Angeline is the best cook in the world. I don’t ever want to leave.”
summeR
B&B Option
(Includes Breakfast and Afternoon Tea)
Price CHF 20,160
Fully Catered Option (Includes Breakfast, Afternoon Tea and Dinner 6 nights)
Price CHF 25,200
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