Experimental Chalet, Verbier – Coolest New Hotel in The Alps
Where? Experimental Chalet
Exactly? Verbier, Switzerland
Best time to go? ski season runs from December through to April dependant on the snow!
Why? This season sees the opening of the coolest new hotel to hit the slopes in a long time. Brought to us from the trendy, Parisian trio who created the Experimental Group bars, speakeasies and hotels across London, New York, Paris and who can forget the gorgeous Experimental Beach Ibiza? The latest edition to the family is Experimental Chalet, Verbier and guess who got an invite for the opening weekend? Moi! So I donned my most fashionable ski gear and headed for the mountains.
Here’s my Style Traveller review and photo diary of Experimental Chalet, Verbier, the coolest new hotel in The Alps.
The Experimental Chalet
Made up of 39 stylishly appointed suites and rooms, all with balconies and some with jacuzzis, the Experimental Chalet boasts one of Verbiers most prime locations. Set right in the centre of town, the group took on the existing chalet above Verbiers infamous Farm Night Club (more on that later). They completely renovated the property giving it a mid-century modern vibe, what they call the new Alpine chic.
Designed by renowned interiors guru Fabrizio Casiraghi, the chalet is inspired by the works of film director Wes Anderson, picture Grand Budapest Hotel 70’s colour palette, quirky art work and memorabilia dotted around the rooms, staff uniforms straight off the set of Life Aquatic and the most detailed branding of products, towels and linens, et voila, it’s like being on the set of a movie.
Me posing outside the Experimental Chalet in Fendi sweatshirt, Julien MacDonald coat and Moonboots ski boots.
The girls, my cast and crew for the Verbier trip from left to right: Marta girlwhotravels, Taniabdarling, Ellie, Carrie wish wish wish, me and Liv Purvis, in front of the roaring fire in our branded Experimental sweatshirts and Farm Club beanie hats.
Snowy rooftops of Verbier – the view from the balcony
The things we do for insta :) Me chilling (literally) on my bedroom balcony. I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise to any unsuspecting passers by on the street behind me :) Disclosure: some innocent bystanders may have been mooned in the making of this photo :)
Quirky interiors: the expert design team scoured the globe (and their grandmas attic) to produce beautiful flat lays, sorry! room installations using retro products and trinkets. And yes the phone does work.
It’s all in the detail: from creatively branded ski pole logo bath robes, the hotel facade embroidered into to the towels, to hand chosen individual beauty products in cute logo’d cloth bags, every bit of the hotel design has been elegantly and cleverly thought out.
Attitude on the balcony in my logo pieces, courtesy of Fendi.
Food and drink
After a hard day on the slopes the hotel restaurant is the perfect place to refuel. In cosy yet chic surroundings, enjoy a tasting menu of Alpine classics with a modern twist served up by chef Gregory Marchand aka Frenchie. The food is the perfect accompaniment to a ski day and if you don’t believe me ask the locals, the Verbier residents have taken to frequenting the homely and delicious meals on offer at Experimental restaurant.
Verbier is filled with great restaurants serving typical alpine classics like raclette and fondue, from mountain side ski-in places like Chez Dany to old school Le Caveau just 3 to 4 minutes walk from the hotel.
Slope style – what to wear on the slopes
This season the colour white and retro styles are de rigeur on the pistes. So whether you go for a monochrome all-in-one onesie or opt for clashing, retro brights with 70’s chevron stripes, you be looking sleek on the slopes.
Apres Ski
The place to be in Verbier is Rouge. So leave your skis outside, order a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and try and do your best on the dance floor in your not so comfy ski boots!
And if it’s a bit of apres – apres ski you’re after then look no further than The Farm Club. The iconic Verbier night club where celebs rub shoulders with locals is situated in the basement of the hotel. At least you don’t have far to go home!
Night Sledging – is highly recommended. We sledged down the mountain all the way home after dinner at Chez Dany. I think the gluwein definitely brought out my more adventurous side! Be warned though! They go fast!
Bonnie wears silver coat by Revolve, sweatshirt and hat by Fendi (as above) and bum bag by Lulu Guinness. Snowflake biscuit stolen from breakfast.
That’s all from Verbier for now. A huge thank you to the awesome guys at Experimental Chalet for such a fantastic trip, can’t wait for Experimental Menorca to open later this summer. Also thanks to Altitude Ski School for my top up ski lessons, ask for John he’s very patient with newbie skiers.
For more info on Experimental Chalet click here. And for more of Bonnie’s Swiss trips click here.
Bon voyage x
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