A four-star boutique chalet in the famous Swiss ski resort of Verbier, The Cordée des Alpes uses a combination of local, reclaimed wood and natural stone to make a chalet-chic hideaway. There’s 32 bedrooms and suites, a gastronomic restaurant and bar, and a spa.
What’s on offer
The 350-square metre spa has three treatment rooms, a 15-metre pool, Jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, a stone bed, foot baths and fitness room — all set out over two levels.
Guests staying in the hotel can pad down to the spa en robe, but for non-residents there are two individual changing rooms with showers and lockers, both are well stocked with Cinq Mondes products including shampoo and conditioner.
Elegant sliding doors separate reception from the main wellness facilities — the journey starts with the hammam steam room which uses infusions of eucalyptus, the traditional wooden sauna which is scented with citrus. There’s a cold shower if you overheat!
Next up is the 15-metre swimming pool, which is encased in floor-to-ceiling windows so you can swim and gaze out on the snow, light streaming through the windows onto the water. There’s also a Jacuzzi, bubbly footbaths, heated stone beds and three relaxation snugs, with room enough for three or four to lounge, one of which has a crackling wood fire.
The fitness area, three treatment rooms and a small relaxation area with platters of dried fruits, nuts and teas are downstairs. Curl up post-treatment and enjoy the solitude.
Tell us about the treatments
We had the Cordée Massage Evasion (50 minutes, 155CHF/£125), a full body massage using locally made Valaisan apricot oil.
Emilie, my therapist, began the massage by pressing hot cloths onto the soles of my feet – very warming and cleansing – and sprayed Cinq Mondes’ Eau de Siam into the air filling the room with traces of bergamot, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemongrass and cedar.
As I’d been skiing in the mountains all day, I asked Emilie to focus on my legs, upper and lower back. She began to work on my back Emilie checked that the pressure was right for me. She sensed the areas where I had extra tension and over the next 50 minutes she proceeded to tease out the fatigue from my muscles and soreness from bashing the pistes, all the while a delicious smell of apricots scenting the air — surprisingly, not too sweet.
At the end of the treatment, Emilie resprayed the Eau de Siam and cleansed my feet and hands with hot cloths, wiping away traces of oil from the massage. I sat drinking a Sirocco Wellness RELAX tea with a handful of nuts to revive my senses after drifting away.
I felt deeply relaxed and the oil kept my skin soft and supple, perfect when wind, cold and dry air saps the moisture from your skin.
Food facts
Cordée des Alps has a range of Swiss meals cooked on the restaurant’s Josper charcoal grill from cod to pigeon breast to aged Swiss beef along with grilled vegetable salads. The menu here has a healthy vibe: over breakfast you can make your own juices using a selection from bowls of freshly prepared whole carrots, pineapple, pears, apples and stems of ginger.
Don’t miss
Ask for Valaisan apricot oil if you opt for a massage, and make time to relax in the snug beside the log fire, gazing out over the snow outside.
Unfortunately, the spa is only open 10:00 to 20:00 so there’s no chance of a dip before skiing, but plenty of opportunity to relax after time on the slopes.
Who would like it?
Chic skiers. When we visited the hotel was filled with skiers from North America, Switzerland, France and Australia. Verbier is not a showy place, but it’s definitely up there as one of the ultimate destination ski resorts in the Alps. The Cordée has discreet character in abundance and the service is spot on.
Sassy Spy
31st March 2017
Spy Likes:
Luxurious scented candles; hot massage oil; being warm; unusual treatments; fluffy towels; natural light; firm pressure.
Spy Dislikes:
Mould; slamming doors; being walked in on while treatment in progress; therapists with cigarette-laced breath.
