Chalet Everest is a perfect haven located in ski heaven.
Everest is a former monastery dating from the 17th century. This iconic building has been sensitively updated with the most luxurious modern comforts imaginable. Situated on the piste, a perfect ski-in/ski-out location, it is a landmark building in the hameau of La Daille in Val d'Isère.
The original features such as the impressive fireplace and the window stone seats are enhanced by modern features and state of the art facilities such as the movie screen which appears at the touch of a button. Then there is the invisible swimming pool which can pop up between the dining area and the cigar room where you can relax after sampling the gourmet meals prepared by your private chef.
This chalet is approached through a beautiful dual level stone courtyard, with underfloor-heated walkways paved with marble.
An underground domed cubby hole which could have been the monks’ cheese pantry has given way to modernity. It is now remembered only by its curved dome features which have been replicated in approximately the same position and hover invitingly in the entrance courtyard over the part-indoor and part-outdoor swimming pool.
All around the pool and the courtyard, original handmade rustic railings imported from the Steppes of Asia in Mongolia have been tastefully installed and adorn the sun-trapping terraces.
Entering Chalet Everest, a pair of majestic carved antique doors greet the visitor in a white marble and stone hall. These open onto a stylistic paradise where light and dark marble mix with carved and painted wood, glass and stone contrast with abundant furs and antique pieces to create a seductive ambiance which is both impressive and warm.
Original features such as the massive fireplace and the cute window stone seats (where monks would have sat and read till daylight faded) are enhanced by modern ornamental features and state of the art facilities. There is the movie screen which appears at the touch of a button. Then there is the invisible swimming pool which can pop up between the Steinway piano and the cigar room where guests can relax after a meal in the elegant dining room. 4 of the 5 fireplaces in this chalet are remote-controlled, and add to standard comforts such as the sauna and hammams, there are more sophisticated gadgets which await to titillate the senses of the experienced traveller.
This luxury chalet sleeps 8 guests in the four bedroom suites each of which have separate sleeping and relaxation areas. The marble walls of the bath are decorated with engraved snowflakes, while the floor of each bath is gently heated. The bath is of such size, that each commands a rain shower and can convert into a steam room, with remote-controlled lights.
The 4 suites:
Suite Castenz:
Named after the Castenz Pyramid in Indonesia (which is the highest summit in Australia/Oceania) this suite is decorated in rich tones of green and gold, with a touch of Islamic culture.
Suite Kosciusko:
Sunny hues reflecting the colours of Australia mix with earthy cast iron and aboriginal craftwork in Suite Koscisuko. Mount Kosciusko standing at 2,228 metres above sea-level is in fact less than half as high as the Castenz Pyramid, but vies favourably with Castenz in the official list of Seven Summits as Australia is indisputably a continent, whereas Oceania is strictly speaking, not one.
Grand Suite Everest:
Highest of all the Seven Summits is Mount Everest in Asia. In this Grand Suite, on display are hand-woven ethnic tapestries and specially commissioned mandalas. The result is an exotic explosion of colours, which pays homage to Tibetan culture.
Grand Suite Denali:
Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is in Alaska, where night sky viewing under the Northern Lights is a compelling and unforgettable experience. This Grand Suite draws inspiration from the stark breathtaking beauty of the dramatic Alaska night sky and landscape.
For larger families or corporate groups, the neighbouring Fleur de Lys can be booked giving a super chalet for up to 16 guests.
Cuisine
All meals are fresh, nutritional, refined and inventive, and are prepared in-house by a Chef-in-Residence.
By request at time of booking, expert chefs specialising in other culinary styles can be installed to cater to guests’ particular cultural or health requirements.
Mosimanns of the Belgravia private dining club ‘The Belfry’ provide a series of meals exclusively tailored for chalet guests under ‘Gourmet Ski Options’.
Dining in the two chalets is an important part of a holiday and it is not only the chefs who are carefully selected to ensure guests dine and wine in perfect harmony.
Above the dining tables, chandeliers of coloured glass complement a stylish mix of antique mirrors and candelabras. The specially commissioned black and gold dining tables are accompanied by ornate hand-made chairs, each covered with individually patterned shearling fur.
The chalets boast an enviable private collection of champagnes and wines; and a recommended selection to accompany dinners at the chalets is kept on site in each wine-cave.
Guests are welcome to visit the cave to choose their own bottles before each dinner.
The dining rooms of the two chalets can be interconnected for banquets serving up to 40 persons, and for special gastronomic events presented by visiting celebrity chefs invited by the owners and Anton Mosimann.
Living Area
Both chalets offer warm relaxing fires by which to enjoy anything from a goblet of traditional mulled wine to the most exotic cocktail. The modern designer glass fireplace in Chalet Fleur de Lys on the other hand stands tall and significant between the hall and the living room while the completely see-through effect of the dual glass faces allow the flickering flames to provide entertainment on both sides. Leather and furs combine to provide comfortable seating all around the living rooms, with games and books available to cater for a variety of interests.
Cigar Room
Settle into the cozy marble and glass cigar rooms, each with built-in humidor and banquette seating to savour a cigar or a cognac, or music or all three. The warm red colours of the marble are enriched by inviting thick fur cushions, which guests can sink lazily into to light up in peace, without disturbance from or to other guests.
Wellness Area
Enjoy the views of the mountains from within. Sit on antique armchairs among colourful Tibetan mountain rugs and indulge in afternoon tea après ski or a big English breakfast before skiing. Book a group ‘foot-massage’ session, to add to the après ski experience – and enjoy total relaxation as the sun sets outside.
Sauna
A real Russian sauna in each chalet, made with imported authentic Siberian pine, can warm your muscles up quickly after a day’s exercise on the pistes.
Swimming Pool
The state-of-the-art swimming pool in each chalet offers you a real-life James Bond experience. The pools are finished in red marble and disappear at the touch of a button under a grey marble floor. The underwater colours change to suit your mood and the depth of the pools can be varied to suit different swimming abilities and purposes. Both pools have Jacuzzis and wave-machines and with an indoor and an outdoor section, guests can choose to bask in hot water under the stars, while snow gently falls caressing faces, bare shoulders and melting in champagne.
Ski Room
The skirooms of the chalets both have direct access to outside. The skirooms are fully equipped with electric boot-warmers, blow heaters and ski-racks.
Health Treatment and Facilities
Massages can be enjoyed, by appointment, in the bedroom suites or in the massage room, which is equipped with its own shower and wash facilities.
Excellent sports therapeutic massage treatments are available from fully qualified therapists by arrangement with the chalets. Also on offer are holistic treatments using aromatherapy products with Asian techniques for a group booking daily massages for a week’s stay.
In addition to the Sauna in each chalet, every bedroom suite is equipped with its own steam-room and cooling rain-shower.
