Exclusive Swiss FAM Trip

I was lucky enough to be invited on an exclusive Swiss FAM trip hosted by TCA Hotels and Resorts, Villars Alpine Resorts and The Bürgenstock Collection. It included a stay at Villars Palace Hôtel & Spa, The Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa, The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne and The Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne, hotel inspections at Villars Lodge, Victoria Hotel & Residences; and The Schweizerhof Hotel & Spa Bern and guided tours of Villars-Sur-Ollon, Bretaye, Glacier 3000, Lucerne and Lausanne, as well as a trip to Montreux and Évian-les-Bains. Part 1: The Villars Alpine Resort in Villar-sur-Ollen - four unique hotels and a private villa, offering accommodation to suit all pockets. The hotels are in superb locations for both winter and summer activities. The Chalet RoyAlp is a short drive from the other three hotels. Each hotel has stunning views of the mountains and forest. The transfer time from Geneva Airport is 90 minutes to Villars-sur-Ollen. The nearest train station is a 10-minute drive to the hotels. Villars-sur-Ollon is a pretty little town with many shops and restaurants and home to the famous international boarding school, the Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil. The train station to Bretaye ski slopes is a 5-minute walk from the hotel. From Bretaye you can ski to Les Chaux, Les Diablerets Glacier and Meilleret mountain ranges.

Our first stay was at the Five Star Villars Palace. Stepping through the main doors I felt at home, the beautiful lobby has comfy sofas, large chandeliers, a huge open fireplace and amazing views. The room and suite have an amazing view of the mountains or forests and have original features and modern touches. The concept at the Villars Palace is to offer meaningful experiences - learn about sustainability from the Villars Institute of Knowledge Hub, and expand cultural knowledge through the displays and information on each corridor.

The four-star Victoria Hotel & Residence and the three-star Villars Lodge are modern and stylish. Both hotels are ideal for solo travellers, couples, and families, looking for comfort and value, with room types to cater for all needs. Villars Lodge is geared for groups especially school groups offering movie sets, a karaoke stage and dance floor, a MasterChef kitchen, a science lab and an art studio. Other facilities include a football pitch, tennis court, indoor swimming pool, a gym and spa, a kids club and storage room for outdoor equipment.

Each hotel has superb dining venues, we ate at the signature restaurant Le1913 at Villars Palace and Le Peppino’s at The Victoria, and the food & beverages, and service at both restaurants were excellent. Chalet St-François is a private 6-bedroom villa, facilities include 4.5 bathrooms, a fully fitted kitchen, and storage for outdoor equipment. Before moving to Chalet RoyAlp we visited Glacier 3000 to experience the Peak Walk by Tissot. The drive is approximately 30 minutes from Villars-sur-Ollons. The walk across the suspension bridge is not for the faint-hearted but it is worth it for the spectacular views. The Five-star Luxury Chalet RoyAlp is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. This is a large hotel but feels like a small cosy chalet, it has wooden panelling, large comfy sofas, several large open fireplaces many nooks and crannies, and stunning panoramic views over the Swiss Alps.

The hotel has 63 rooms and suites, 27 apartments, and the Royal Penthouse which is over two floors and sleeps 8 people. The dining options include La Table d’Hotel - the chef’s table, The Cellar - for private intimate events, and Pods that are ideal for a romantic dinner. Other facilities are La Cigare Lounge, a kid’s club, a cinema and games room, ski lockers, a gym, a spa, and an indoor pool.

The Chalet St-François is the Villars Resorts private 6-bedroom villa, with 4.5 bathrooms, a fully fitted kitchen, and storage for outdoor equipment. Each hotel in the group can host business and private events, as well as wedding services and private receptions. What I most take away from the FAM trip is the uniqueness of each hotel, the quality of food and the customer service. They each offer many services, from transfers to hiring ski/summer adventure equipment, which will be delivered to the hotels before arrival, and organizing tours - nothing is too much. This beautiful region is worth visiting, and you can’t go wrong with a stay at any of the hotels mentioned. I’m looking forward to returning to the Villars Resorts.