Perched above the lake and overlooking the splendour of the surrounding mountains, with a 360 degree views from every suite, this fairly recently re-modelled hotel is a high tech-meets-chic-design celebration of style.
One of 5 hotels owned by the Kipp family and designed by Swiss maestro of cool laced with flights of fancy, Carlo Rampazzi, the Carlton is without question one of the best hotels we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
I am using the word purposefully as staying there is indeed quite an experience. To begin with, the senses are regaled by the clever if occasionally confusing mix of period and contemporary pieces, the latter often thrown in as if in jest. The main restaurant chairs whose backs imitate actual diners are a good case in point as are the giant lobby lamps mounted on stacks of re-used old chair legs.
The apocryphal story goes that Nicolai II of Russia intended to use the building of the hotel as his winter residence. True or not, the designer has made great artistic use of the story, incorporating rich fabric panels in the bathrooms and images of the tsar’s jewellery collection.
The 60 or suites’ bathrooms are quite the most beautiful, supremely well-thought out, faultlessly functional, ‘never-want-to-leave’ water rooms with massive shower alcoves and every convenience imaginable.
A closer look around the suite reveals intricate detail such as the use of clever wood marquetry, weathered leather, marble, tiles, terrazzo walling and rich fabrics everywhere.
The suites are extremely generously sized, with curved walls emphasising the feeling of space and a mini bar-cum-coffee/tea making area set apart from the sitting room.
Orchid plants, trays of delectable Swiss chocolates, fresh fruit and other snack bites are thoughtfully laid out for the guests.
The balconies have the most spectacular views of the Swiss mountains, again at a 360 degree angle.
Then, there is the spa…
We are quite accustomed to seeing magnificent spas in ultra-high end hotels, especially in winter resorts.
This one is of truly massive proportions and as state of the art as you have by now come to expect from this hotel.
Occupying two floors, it has the requisite indoor and outdoor heated pool and whirlpool, and a full complement of saunas, steam rooms, and pampering spa treatment rooms.
Our favourite area was the cooling area directly off the sauna which is simply outdoor space, directly on the snow and overlooking the steep walk towards the lake.
Skiers typically spend their mid to late afternoons relaxing and further toning their bodies there.
The Carlton is an extremely sophisticated, polished hotel combining quirky design with high tech to achieve the ultimate in 21st century hospitality. The attention to detail is rare, even in the highly competitive world of ultra-high end establishments.
We like:
– The quirky design
– The selection of premium teas in the suites
– The complimentary minibar with its snacks (in particular, the wasabi tortellini)
– The cooling off area in the spa
– The discreet opulence
Breakfast Buffet rating: Interesting selection of fresh juices, dried fruits, wide selection of fish, small selection of cold meats, bircher muesli 7/10; Great bakery
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