subject: Sloping Off In Style.... [print this page] Sloping off in Style Sloping off in Style
By Mark Taylor
Its not everyday that I get an invitation to stay in what has been dubbed Verbiers most spectacular chalet, let alone the additional carrot to travel there by private jet. At my time of departure UK airports were in a state of turmoil with snow covering the runways of Heathrow and Gatwick. I turned up at Farnborough in order to meet my host at Execflyer Air Charter, Jamie. Within 20 minutes I was sat in my luxurious leather seat climbing through cloud into bright blue skies and sunshine.
At this point it struck me that I hadnt seen my luggage or shown a passport. Jamie explains that this is one of the many benefits to flying by private jet. Everything is processed in advance. Execflyer set out to make aircraft charter more accessible to the client, thus one call or email to the team, who incidentally all have at least a basic pilots licence, allows access to many aircraft capable of flying a specific route. No sooner had we polished off the wide selection of canaps and champagne, we were descending into Sion ironically to the soundtrack of The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. Jamie explains that due to the number of trips Execflyer undertake to this region throughout the ski season, we are able to take advantage of empty sectors. Essentially we only charge for the one way instead of the return trip. This particular aircraft was Sion bound to pick up clients returning to the UK.
Within minutes of our arrival into Sion, I found myself being whisked into a very smart Verbier Exclusive people carrier and on the way to Verbier. My invitation to stay at the ultra chic No14 chalet in Verbier came from an experienced hand in the Verbier Ski market. David Pearson set up Ski Verbier in 1992 and built a solid reputation and chalet portfolio before selling the business in 2006. Since then he has set up the Verbier Exclusive business raising the bar to compete at the sharp end of the luxury market.
Upon arrival at No 14 you immediately notice an air of class around this otherwise traditional looking Swiss chalet building. I am introduced to Ivan, one of the chalet managers who shows me around. Ivan tells me that he was effectively headhunted out of his role managing a beach club in Ibiza, to form part of the management team here. There are 15 staff with a maximum capacity of 26 guests in 13 very individual rooms. It becomes strikingly apparent that all staff have been cherry picked based not only on their skills in the hospitality sector, but on their personal levels of maturity and responsibility. It used to be a given that chalet staff arrive in the morning sporting a monster of a hangover and little more than 2 hours sleep. At No.14 the guests expect more and get more.
I am shown to the spa area, which by all accounts has been the most expensive element of the major refurbishment of this former hotel. There is a 10 metre pool, Jacuzzi, plunge pool and steam room to unwind after a hard day on the slopes. In addition are two beautiful treatment rooms run by Alexandra Main, a sports physiotherapist and masseuse. Adjacent to the spa is the cinema room complete with huge sofas, leather walls, soft wall lighting and as you would expect state of the art flat screen, Bose surround sound, Wii, X Box, Blu ray and Sky TV. It really is reminiscent of a smart London members club. Upstairs I am shown the restaurant, bar and lounge area complete with stunning open fire and beautiful elements of interior design. All of the interior design was undertaken by Fiona Barratt, the creative talent behind Richard Bransons highly successful Lodge chalet also in Verbier.
We bump into David walking around picking up the smallest of details. I realise this is what sets No14 apart. David is the operational expert at the helm of Verbier Exclusive, whilst his business partner, Tom Avery is the marketing and client facing expertise within the business. David kindly takes over as my guide to show me each of the rooms and looks especially proud of his penthouse suite complete with hot tub on the balcony and spectacular mountain views. Each room is bespoke complete with B&W iPod sound systems, flat screens, DVD players and art sourced from well known London art schools.
At this stage I retire to the sumptuous luxury of my enormous first floor suite, and ready myself for dinner. My past experience of chalet catering has been somewhat mixed. Verbier Exclusive I notice have secured the services of Dan Cox, winner of the 2008 Roux scholarship who went on to run Michel Rouxs eatery in Parliament Square, London. Did I use the term Chalet Catering? This was most definitely a restaurant experience in line with some of the finest London establishments I have visited. Six courses in total cooked with absolute perfection and served alongside some very fine wines and excellent service.
David Pearson tells me that his aim was to create a luxury chalet to rival Richard Bransons Lodge. I go on to ask him if he feels he achieved this. With a wry smile, and a childish twinkle in the eye, he turns on his heels looking every inch the proud victor..
For more information on:
Execflyer Air Charter visit www.execflyer.com or call +44 1926840057
