빌라스 팰리스

We stayed at Villars Palace at the end of October, during the off-season. The hotel was completely refurbished about three years ago and is beautifully decorated. They have preserved the original 1913 structure, which gives the property genuine character and charm. The mountain views are magnificent. We were upgraded to a junior suite instead of the superior panorama room we had booked, as there was a mix-up at check-in and we had to wait for the room to be ready. The suite had no fridge and no bathtub, but two showers. The bed and pillows were way too firm, and we didn’t sleep well. Breakfast on the first day was below 5-star expectations: short-staffed service, only four types of bread and two jams (with no indication of provenance), fresh fruits that seemed imported (berries, pineapple, strawberries), and Eggs Florentine that were bland. There was no bread grill, and it took a long time to get toast when requested. On Sunday, breakfast was moved to the beautiful ballroom, which created a much more pleasant atmosphere. There were also more bread options, a bread grill, and a better overall selection (a noticeable improvement). Unfortunately, the Eggs Benedict remained tasteless. There is no room service, which feels surprising for a hotel in this category. Only one restaurant (“Le 1913”) was open during our stay, with limited vegetarian options, and the bar menu was also quite restricted. On the positive side, Fanny at the spa reception deserves special mention for her kindness and professionalism. She helped us organize our treatments and provided excellent advice even before our arrival. The fitness area is spacious and well equipped. We booked a private coaching session (CHF 200/50 min). Quite expensive but professional. Afterwards, we enjoyed a 90-minute deep-tissue massage, which was excellent. Special thanks to Céline and Katerina, both highly skilled masseuses who made the experience memorable. Unfortunately, we couldn’t fully enjoy the sauna and jacuzzi, as they were quite busy and there seemed to be only one person cleaning and replacing towels and slippers, so the area didn’t feel as pristine or relaxing as expected for a 5-star spa. As for Villars, it’s a charming alpine village, but in the off-season it loses much of its winter atmosphere — many shops and restaurants are closed. It might be worth returning in peak season when the resort is livelier, though prices — already high — will likely rise further.

This is a wonderful hotel with beautiful rooms. The staff at all levels are fantastic, with every person going the extra mile for us. The room was large and very well appointed. Whilst in the centre of town it is quiet and has a very relaxed atmosphere. We will go again.