The Capra

Style

Elegant alpinist

Setting

Cradled by crags

Encircled by precipitous peaks, Saas-Fee ski hotel The Capra balances rugged nature with well-stoked fires, a soothing spa and Swiss hospitality. Inspired by the serenity of the surrounding Alps, this chic chalet-style stay is a study in mountain pine, dark slate and soft tweed – an earthy, organic look that tips its hat to the local scenery. Even its name is rooted in the area, referencing the two-toned mountain goats that roam the nearby slopes. These hardy mountaineers make an apt emblem, as a yin-and-yang-esque sense of balance is at the heart of everything here. Rustic interiors hide heated floors and wireless entertainment systems; the indulgent fine-dining menu finds its equal in the state-of-the art spa. And, if you’re here to make the most of the first-class skiing, the hotel will whisk you to their slopeside ski cabin in a shuttle, offsetting effort with indulgence and ease.

Facilities

Rooms

38, including 25 suites.

Checkout

Noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.

More Details

Rates usually include an à la carte breakfast; return transfers from the car park or bus station in Saas-Fee; transfers to the hotel’s slopeside ski cottage; access to the spa and fitness area; soft drinks in your minibar.

Also

All the common areas are wheelchair accessible, and one of the Signature Double Rooms has been specially adapted.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pet Friendly

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Room Service

Spa

At the Hotel

Ski-in, ski-out cottage on the slopes; kid’s Fun Lab with games, table tennis, foosball and DVDs; free WiFi throughout; laundry service. In rooms: flatscreen TV; minibar; Nespresso coffee machine; tea-making kit; free bottled water; Soeder bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

We’d go for a Signature Suite for its separate living room and larger terrace. If you’ve got family in tow, opt for the Family Suite, which comfortably sleeps four thanks to its hidden bunk beds.

Poolside

The indoor pool is in the spa, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with daylight. Columns of thick-cut slate and pinewood panelling give the room an appropriately alpine look, and there’s a glass-encased fire set into one wall for extra warmth. Beyond the glass, there’s a heated, plunge pool for those who prefer to have their post-ski soak in the crisp mountain air.

Spa

The Capra’s indulgent spa has a sauna and steam room; a salt therapy room; three treatment rooms; a relaxation area; a fully equipped gym; and a studio for fitness classes. It’s run by luxury spa brand Peak Health, who value magic-fingered therapists as much as anyone but also go heavy on the academic side, mingling established techniques with the latest science – try one of their high-tech facials for proof. If you’re just looking for the quickest way to loosen your aching legs, go for one of the muscle recovery treatments.

Packing Tips

Technical gear for the mountain; soft, cosy threads for the hotel.

Also

If you’re looking at a summer stay, consider one of the hotel’s week-long Peak Health retreats. These immersive experiences include everything from mountain fitness sessions to healthy cooking demonstrations.

Children

All ages are welcome. Little Smiths will love the Fun Lab, a dedicated kid’s room with table tennis, a foosball table, a PlayStation 4, DVDs, books and board games. Babysitting is available for CHF25 an hour; three days’ notice is needed when booking.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

The wood-clad wine cellar can be booked for private dinners.

Dress Code

Chunky knits, mountaineer-inspired boots and the latest Moncler.

Hotel Restaurant

Dressed in grainy pine and burgundy leather, the Capra’s restaurant has the looks of a cosy mountain hut. Fittingly, the surrounding peaks and valleys are also the biggest source of inspiration when it comes to the food: the cuisine tends towards Alpine classics that have been given a creative rethink, taking diners on a tasting tour through the Valais and its neighbouring cantons. The restaurant is also committed to a sustainable farm-to-table approach, getting ingredients from local farmers and suppliers that care about the fine details – eco-friendliness included. Alongisde the heartier dishes, there are always healthy, balanced options designed to complement the Peak Health treatments and programs. During the winter months, there's the addition of Astrid's Fondue, which sets up shop in the hotel's cosy wine cellar.

Hotel Bar

The bar is in the lounge, an inviting space with a wood-burning stove, soft armchairs, cashmere blankets and artwork from the owner’s collection. Rocky mountains are visible through several windows, adding a dash of drama and making the room feel all the more cosy in contrast. After a long day on the slopes, unwind by the fire with a glass of the local Valais wine, the hotel’s speciality. They’ve also got plenty bottles from new and established wineries around the world, and the barman can make a mean martini to boot.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served from 7.30am to 10.30am; lunch from 12pm to 6pm; dinner from 6pm to 9.30pm.

Room Service

The full brasserie and lounge menus are available during restaurant hours; a reduced selection is available after dark.

Planes

Most people tend to fly into Geneva (three hours’ drive) or Zurich (three-and-a-half hours’).

Trains

If you’d rather go by rail, hop on a service to Visp at Zurich or Geneva (you can catch trains from either airport's station, saving the need for a trip into town.) Both routes take around two hours, passing plenty of dramatic scenery on the way. Once you’ve arrived in Visp, you’ll need a taxi to take you the final 30 kilometers into Saas-Fee.

Automobiles

You’re unlikely to need your own set of wheels; Saas-Fee’s a compact town and the centre has been pedestrianised, making walking the best way to get around. If you do want to hire, the Smith24 team can arrange it.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

The Capra hasn’t skimped on the holy trinity of all good ski hotels – good eating, good drinking and a restorative spa. Most guests fall hard for the open-air plunge pool, sleek sauna and salt therapy room, which has a wall made from solid blocks of rocksalt. When it comes to the wining and dining, kill two birds with one stone by booking a private tasting and dinner in the hotel’s wine cellar, where the sommelier will introduce you to some of the best vintages to come out of the local region, Valais, home to the highest vineyards in Europe. As for the village, Saas-Fee’s biggest pull is its reliability as a ski resort: the surrounding mountains soar higher than most of the Alps, promising long seasons (the glacier offers year-round skiing) and good snow coverage, including feather-light champagne powder. To get the most out of your time in the resort, book in with Ski Zenit, an independent team of world-class instructors, off-piste guides and racing coaches. Whether you’re looking to learn parallel turns or drop 20-foot cliffs, their bespoke service will make it happen. It’s not all about the skiing, though. For something a little different, take the cable car up Hannig Mountain, where you’ll find the start of the 5km Adrenalin Sledging track, which runs all the way back to the village. Up the stakes by going on a Tuesday, when the track’s open for night runs. For a romantic evening that’ll set hearts soaring, book the Fondue Gondola, a candlelit dinner on the Spielboden gondola (the cars are spruced up with tablecloths, candles and sheepskin rugs). If you can, book to coincide with the full moon, when the mountains will be lit up in all their nocturnal majesty.

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. .