There are moments spent within mountains that you carry with you forever. The staggering views. The endless sky. The silence that greets you like an old friend. It invites introspection. And that is what makes this one of our favorite escapes. A true retreat where you can spend time with yourself, completely uninterrupted. Say hello to alpine bliss.
Rejuvenate and feel inspired in this remote retreat crafted by some of the greatest contemporary architects of our time, and all nestled deep within the staggeringly beautiful Swiss Alps.
STAY – 7132
There’s an air of mystery around 7132, a retreat that remains off the radar for most, but one we just had to share with you. Named simply after the postcode to the Vals Valley, known for its mineral-rich thermal waters, it’s a hotel that shies away from making a fuss. Even when you swoop over the snow-dusted peaks as you arrive by helicopter, you could easily miss the 1970s-style building tucked away in a green valley, surrounded by log-pole trees and alpine hills. Part of this hotel’s charm is that it manages to stay hidden from the rest of the world.
But don’t be fooled, this isn’t your average spa hotel. It is home to the one of the country’s finest chefs, with suites designed by modern masters of architecture from around the globe, and then there’s the incredible spa—a destination in itself that has reached cult status for design-lovers and spa junkies alike. This is a temple of chic relaxation.
FIND INSPIRATION – ARCHITECTURE
For those who appreciate incredible design, this hotel offers endless inspiration. 7132 is an architect’s dream. Step through its doors and a masterclass of sleek and serene design unfolds in floor-to-ceiling glass and chic furnishings in a sophisticated palette of gray, cream, and pale blonde. You’ll have a choice of rooms designed by a number of renowned architects. From the tea house-inspired rooms of Japan’s Tadao Ando to the warm oak-paneled cocoon-like rooms of Kengo Kuma, each one is a lesson in cool minimalism. But it is the suites by esteemed Swiss architect Peter Zumthor that are in highest demand. Disciples of Zumthor’s work make the pilgrimage here for the interiors alone.
The spa is the showstopper. Zumthor clad the walls in 60,000 charcoal-gray slabs of Vals quartzite; the perfect calming backdrop as you lounge in the various rejuvenating pools. Don’t miss the petal-strewn ‘Blossom’ pool.
DINE – ON TRUE MASTERPIECES
The design element extends itself to the kitchen in the signature Silver restaurant. Here Sven Wassmer, one of Switzerland’s most valued chefs, and wife and Head Sommelier Amanda are reinventing Swiss cuisine with relentless innovation. Make sure to set aside three to four hours for the 12-course tasting menu—an inspiring gastronomic journey where dishes are shaped by Sven’s personal memories and local ingredients. Expect fish fresh from nearby glaciers, butter-soft beef from neighboring farms and canapés topped with local wood ants (trust us, they’re delicious). Dishes are served with pride and ceremony; one evening fresh langoustine was cooked at our table side. But it is the breakfasts that steal the show. Waking up to dine on dishes dressed with wild herbs, hand-picked that morning, followed by an array of cured meats, salmon, fresh Swiss cheeses, alpine butter and bread straight from the oven from their on-site bakery (don’t leave without trying their nut torte) was nothing short of culinary paradise.
DO – NIGHT BATHING
Surely nothing can compare to bathing in the moonlight on a starry night? The spa usually closes at 11pm, but our top tip is to request a night time bath and have the whole place to yourself. As you take in the glittering emptiness above, the invitation to pause, listen, and let your thoughts swirl past like the snowflakes falling outside is a mystical experience that you’ll never forget.
RELAX – FIRESIDE
The spa aside, sometimes the best way to unwind is to lose yourself in a good book, and we found the perfect spot nestled in front of an immense fireplace stoked by an immaculate log stack. Here we whiled-away evenings reading in peace; the attentive staff keeping us fueled with warming drinks and a never-ending supply of incredible tuna canapés. There’s no better place to wind down…
"Request a night time bath and have the whole place to yourself. As you take in the glittering emptiness above, the invitation to pause, listen, and let your thoughts swirl past like the snowflakes falling outside is a mystical experience."
