The Chedi Andermatt

Style

Asia in the Alps

Setting

Urseren-Valley vantage

A perfect storm of Alpine opulence and Asian serenity, the Chedi Andermatt certainly makes for a handsome lodging in Switzerland’s Urseren Valley. Slatted walls and Spirited Away-style Japanese lanterns are set against mountain views and roaring fireplaces – both feature throughout the rooms, suites, restaurants and bars here. Its pin-drop perfect position between three Alpine passes (at 1,447 metres above sea level) strikes awe into an exclusive legion of hikers and skiers – oh, and add Bond location scouts to the list: a key set piece from Goldfinger was shot here.

Facilities

Rooms

119, including 80 suites. That said, space is abundant even in the entry-level deluxe room, at 55 sq m.

Checkout

Noon; but flexible till 6pm for 50 per cent of the nightly room rate (or a full night for check-outs after 6pm). Check-in is at 3pm; early check-in is available for an additional night's charge.

More Details

Rates include breakfast – but this isn’t just any hotel breakfast. Kick-start your day with dishes from four open kitchens (not to mention the glass-walled cheese cellar). Choose from smoothies, fresh ginger shots and flaky just-baked pastries.

Also

There are two specially adapted rooms — Deluxe and Grand Deluxe — for guests with limited mobility.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Golf

Laundry

Pet Friendly

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Room Service

Spa

At the Hotel

The Winter Village (in winter, naturally), ski room with ski butlers; padel and tennis courts; indoor climbing wall. In rooms: WiFi, TV, Bose sound system, built-in electric fireplace, tea- and coffee-making equipment, Hästens box-spring beds, balcony, organic toiletries

Our Favourite Rooms

With bedrooms starting at a rather stately 52 sq m, you needn't worry much about space (or lack thereof). Plus, every room in the hotel has a balcony, glass-fronted electric fireplace and spa-style bathroom. Couples might opt for the loft-style Gemsstock suite – a penthouse with arresting views of the Gemsstock peak, exposed wood beams and an open-plan, airy feel. If you’re more about spa-ing than ski-ing, then you’ll love the Furka Suite – it has its own sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi.

Poolside

The 35-metre pool is a focal point of the hotel, given its picturesque location in a steel frame glasshouse overlooking the mountains. There’s a steaming outdoor pool (warm enough to swim in even in the snow), and plenty of plush daybeds and loungers both indoors and out.

Spa

There’s spas, and then there’s The adults-only Spa at the Chedi Andermatt. Retreat into the Tibetan relaxation lounge after a day on the mountains: the low-lit hydrotherapy pools, Finnish and organic saunas and steam baths are hard to resist. Treat yourself to an Ayurveda-inspired treatment, Balinese therapy or Himalayan hot stone massage in one of the twelve treatment rooms, or get the chop at the on-site hairdressers. Sure, there’s plenty of exercise to be had in the mountains (hiking, skiing, mountain biking and more), but the hotel also has a gym with all the latest TechnoGym equipment, and space for yoga and pilates practices.

Packing Tips

Fear not about shelf space – there’s plenty of room for multiple layers of cashmere in the oversized wardrobes. Vintage car lovers might like to bring their wheels: the high alpine passes around the hotel provide some dramatic drives – or so thought the James Bond location researchers, given that scenes from Sean Connery’s Goldfinger were shot here. The hotel can even arrange a driving package including Morgan rental and route suggestions.

Also

The hotel's design is thanks to Jean-Michel Gathy, who looked to fuse alpine chic with Asian elements such as Buddhist sculptures, latticework panels, Balinese art and Japanese paper lamps.

Children

Sofa beds can be set up in all of the rooms, but if you’re travelling in a big group then we’d recommend the Furka Suite – it has three bedrooms and its own spa.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Book out the private table in the exclusive Wine Cave for special occasions – just note there’s a minimum spend of 250 Swiss francs for the table, which can seat up to eight guests.

Dress Code

Dependant on where you dine: go casual in the Chalet (but not shorts-and-sandals casual), and more formal in the top-flight Japanese Restaurant.

Hotel Restaurant

Dine on dishes from all parts of the world in the Restaurant – an open-kitchen concept with everything from Indian murgh makhani to the tallest cheese tower in Europe (five metres high, if you’re wondering). Try sea scallop carpaccio with lobster dill, fragrant mushroom risotto, veal cutlets with garlic or sole steamed in banana leaf. The Japanese Restaurant is more intimate and exclusive (you’ll need to book) with just 46 covers and a sultry feel. Sit at the open sushi bar and try the 100 varieties of sake on offer. We love the truffle edamame, sizzling wagyu steaks and tempura shrimp. For an authentic Japanese experience, opt for the multi-course modern omakase menu. Visit the alpine-inspired winter Chalet for fondue with truffles and chocolate praline tarts – all served up on homey red- and white-checked tablecloths amid the Winter Village.

Hotel Bar

Cosy up on a fire-side leather sofa in the Bar, or head out to the courtyard in summer. The cocktails take an Asian twist here, with many featuring sake; or opt for a mulled wine in the most wintery months. The Wine Library has a selection of high-end wines from around the world, and the Cigar Library is a unique experience for smokers and non-smokers alike (the ventilation is excellent) – given its cosy feel and view of the Courtyard. There are over 800 varieties of cigars to choose from, with special editions from more than 15 countries: tastes of Colombia, Costa Rica and Cuba can be found in this corner of the Chedi.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served 7–11am; lunch 11.30am–4pm; dinner from 6.30pm in the Restaurant and Japanese Restaurant, or from 6pm in the Chalet. The Bar and Cigar Library are open until midnight.

Room Service

Available round-the-clock.

Planes

Zurich airport is a 90-minute drive from Andermatt; Milan is two hours away by car. Those with access to private jets might prefer to fly into Buochs Airfield, a 45-minute drive from the hotel.

Trains

The hotel is just steps from Andermatt station, which connects to Zurich in two hours. The station in Andermatt is one of the stops on the scenic Glacier Express route.

Automobiles

There’s parking at the hotel for those arriving by car. Andermatt is accessible in 60 minutes from Lucerne, 90 minutes from Zurich and two hours from Milan. You could also drive from Munich or Stuttgart in around four hours.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

If you think Andermatt is a winter-only destination then think again: there’s much to do in the spring and summer seasons. The dramatic peaks, notorious Schöllenen gorge, cascading waterfalls and rapid rivers (the Rhine, the Rhone and the Reuss all originate around Andermatt) make for ample exploring year-round. Take in the bracing Alpine air on one of the well-maintained hiking trails, go biking through the craggy mountainscapes, forage across hills for wild cranberries and juniper, or join a goat trekking tour. With all that activity, you’ll have more than earned a session of authentic Alpine cheese-making: press your own wheel of artisanal cheese and have it mailed to you, wherever home may be, after it has matured a few months later. And if you are visiting in winter, then you’ll be spoilt for skiing and snowboarding choice: the snow-sure mountains and 180km of slopes are made for swooshing your way down open passes and off-piste runs. The Living Room includes ski butlers, who’ll sort your equipment, organise your ski passes and direct you to the best runs.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .