Big news! Asia’s superstar GHM Hotels, just opened their first property in Europe, The Chedi Andermatt. It took five years to build this 105-room luxury masterpiece in the Swiss Alps, and boy is it worth the wait.
The hotel’s designers describe the décor as Alpine chic. Wood and local granite are united to create stylish public and private spaces with subtle Asian influences. The result is a grand, exotic interior that feels light and airy with clean, modern lines. 196 fireplaces spread around the property ensure that there are plenty of inviting nooks for both social gatherings and solitude.
Although the tone of the minimalist interior is mountain casual, there’s just enough bling created by ornate lighting, glass, and art to create drama. So much so, that The Chedi management has a healthy flow of people who come the door just to have a first-hand look at what the fuss is about. And yes, the interior design is that striking. Case and point, the reception desk is a 90-foot granite bar where guest can get help or lounge and order drinks. A fun combo!
When I first stepped into my room at The Chedi Andermatt, it took me a minute to figure out if I was looking at a public lounge or our hotel room. We stayed in a Deluxe Suite, a room with a massive living area with a long sofa, dining table, double fireplace, private terrace, king bed, and a luxurious bathroom.
There are 59 Deluxe Suites and they easily accommodate 2 adults and 1-2 children. Rooms have the same lofty feeling as the public areas with big windows and dramatic lighting. Everything in the room is controlled by an iPad, including the TV. The mini-bar has complimentary soda, juices, and water, and there’s a personal coffee and tea maker. Books on the shelves make it feel homey. In short, there’s no reason to leave this luxury home-away-from-home. One touch and someone will come running to bring whatever you need and rooms are big enough for families to spread out.
The Asian-inspired bathroom has a deep soaking tub against a granite wall and a separate rain shower.
The Restaurant is the main dining outlet at The Chedi Andermatt and offers a mix of creative and beautifully presented Swiss, European, and Asian cuisine. The innovative dining room has four open kitchens, each specializing in something delightful …The room is warm, lively and includes both chef’s communal tables, as well as private dining rooms.
There’s an entire room dedicated to cheese tasting! Breakfast is served in The Restaurant too; we had one of the most amazing breakfasts I’ve had in Europe with fresh fruit, condiments, bread and baked goodies, and made-to-order eggs. They truly host a decadent spread. There’s also a Japanese Restaurant serving sushi and sashimi that’s open during the winter months only.
The spa at The Chedi Andermatt is a property highlight. The 35-meter atrium-style indoor pool is light and bright in all weather conditions. It’s a spectacular space with a long line of lounge zones with fireplaces. Kids are allowed to swim here here, as well as in the outdoor lap pool.
There’s a second adult-only pool (ages 16 and up) area with a variety of hot and cold plunge pools along with steam and sauna facilities. A fitness room has all the latest equipment and is paired with a little lounge zone incorporated in the space.
I didn’t get a chance to have a treatment but the spa offers a nice selection of both beauty and wellness treatments.
Outside of welcome treats and a kids’ menu, there aren’t many kid-focused amenities in place now at The Chedi Andermatt. This will change over time as they are adding a playground and a more developed childcare program. Although the public areas feel more adult-oriented, the big rooms certainly accommodate families very well, and over the winter months, there’s an extensive ski area right outside the door.
To be honest, we had the world’s worst rain storm when we visited The Chedi Andermatt and were unable to take advantage of any of the outdoor activities in the area, let alone see the mountains! But the setting between four significant Alpine passes ensures there is plenty to do and see, particularly for hiking and ski enthusiasts. There’s an onsite Sports Butler to help with logistics, rentals, and plans.
The tourist infrastructure in the town of Andermatt is quite limited. There are a few restaurants and shops, but it is not developed at all like the other iconic Swiss resort towns. This is a good thing for those who wish to avoid congestion and crowds. Part of the reason GHM Hotels selected Andermatt for Europe’s first Chedi hotel is that there will be major investment in the local infrastructure to revitalize the area.
Stay tuned, based on the impressive quality of The Chedi, whatever is happening next is likely to be be appealing. Rates at the Chedi Andermatt for a family of four start at 650 CHF per night.
We can help! Request availability using the Check Availability form on The Chedi Andermatt kid-friendly hotel review and one of our Family Vacation Consultants will follow up. This is a free service. We also offer full itinerary planning, including itinerary development, activity suggestions, and vetted kid-friendly guides (fee-based service). Request assistance on our Connect with a Travel Advisor page.
Relevant Links:
Best family hotels and things to do in Switzerland with kids
Luxury family vacation reviews and ideas
Editor’s Note: Amie was provided with a media package to experience The Chedi Andermatt for families. As always, our opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Amie O’Shaughnessy except where noted.
Written By
By Amie O’Shaughnessy
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