Hotel Review: W Verbier, Switzerland
One of our picks for the top hotels to check out in 2014 was W hotel brand's first foray into the ski resort world opened in Verbier, Switzerland, in December. TPG Contributor Casey Hatfield-Chiotti recently visited the town in the Swiss Alps known for some of the best off-piste (backcountry) skiing in the world and got an exclusive tour of the property.
Verbier is an idyllic town set high in the hills in the Val de Bagnes, south of Martigny. It's accessible by road but many take the cable car up, which drops you right in the middle of town. Just 3,000 people live in Verbier year-round, but in winter the population swells to about 45,000, resulting in a lively après-ski atmosphere and quite inflated prices-- Verbier is one of the most expensive and therefore exclusive ski resort towns in the world, so if you want to stay at the W Verbier start saving your points (and Swiss francs) now.
Access and Public Areas
By staying at the W you get the best access to everything in Verbier. It's conveniently located right next to Médran Station, Verbier's main gondola. The resort even diverted its main lower run to land right at the W's doorstep so it's basically ski in ski out, and you can end your last run easily at Off-Piste, the W's outdoor après-ski bar.
With its wooden façade and copper accents, the W Verbier fits in nicely with the town's rustic architecture but is a touch more streamlined and modern than the your average chalet. The property is all new construction (the land used to be a parking lot) and when you start to explore the interior, you'll find designers went to great lengths to incorporate local elements into the décor, including cowbell-shaped lights and cowhide chairs, while adhering to the W branding and vibe.
The common areas and amenities at the hotel are impressive, starting with the Living Room, a bar and lounge with sunken booths and a great view of the valley. It's the perfect place for small bites and cocktails post ski like the W Fever—fresh muddled basil, vodka, peach liquor and pear juice. Take a good look at the curving orange and white mountain-inspired art on the walls - it's actually tape and was created by Berlin-based artist Buff Diss during a week-long residency.
There are several other restaurants at the W Verbier including a Spanish tapas bar, and upscale Arola which specializes in Swiss Spanish fusion. Carve nightclub, accessible through a long red tunnel, is open on weekends, and the casual W Cafe serves Swiss wines and gourmet coffee. An excellent breakfast is included in your stay and features mouthwatering pastries like local berry-filled tarts, muffins, fresh fruit, granola and made-to-order eggs.
Rooms
The W Verbier's 123 rooms come in a wide range of sizes and configurations. The entry level Cozy Room is 36 square meters (388 square feet) and has a fireplace, private balcony and rustic wooden chalet-style interior contrasted with sleek modern furnishings. The largest room, the penthouse, has a loft, a rotating bed, a private sauna and a bar.
If you can swing it opt for a two-story Wow Suite. At 150 square meters (1,615 square feet), it's a category below the penthouse but still has a loft, living room, panoramic views and wood-beamed ceilings. All rooms feature punches of the same color red as the Swiss flag and you'll find the flag's cross detail playfully echoed in the bathroom fixtures and on the walls. If you're looking for something larger, the W also offers seven two- to four-bedroom apartments in The Residences at W Verbier.
Away Spa
The Away spa at the W uses gem-based products and features treatments that are geared towards rejuvenating muscles and organs that are taxed during the winter ski seasons. The Mogul Leg Pump treatment, a deep-tissue massage that rids the body of lactic acid, helps the body recuperate after a long day on the slopes. The spa also has an indoor/outdoor pool and lounge area.
In Verbier, rooms in the winter do not come cheap, and the W Verbier is no exception. Rooms rates start at $650 and go up to $10,000 a night for the penthouse. During the slower summer months, prices drop drastically and rooms start at just $250 per night. The area offers hiking, mountain biking and an International music festival in late July/early August.
Verbier is on many powder hounds' bucket lists, and the W Verbier should certainly be on the short list of any Starwood Preferred Guest member.
This is an SPG Category 7 property and requires 30,000 to 35,000 Starpoints for a free night.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.