p22-23 St Moritz Hurl Iss05
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hurlingham [ luxury]
Moritz for your money Luxurious Alpine accommodation, your own team of chefs, housekeepers, chauffeurs and assistants, daily champagne, ski instruction, massage… No need to lift a finger WORDS PETER HOWARTH
family retaining many of its original features, like wood panelling and frescos. All the fabrics have been chosen by renowned Zurich based designer Hannes B, the bathrooms have Philippe Starck fittings, and there is a mixture of fine antique and contemporary furniture. This is arguably the most prestigious address in the valley. St Moritz has been a fashionable destination since its beginnings in 1864. As well as the skiing and landscape – and the Cresta Run of course – it also has great bars and après-ski, and fashion retail reminiscent of Bond Street. Up on the slopes at La Corviglia is Reto Mathis’ famous restaurant where it is rumoured that more truffles and caviar are consumed at lunch than in any other eatery in the world. It is also the home of a host of unusual winter sports – horse racing, cricket, show jumping – all of which take place on the ice. And then there is the snow polo tournament, which now has a 101-year history. These days the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow is the world’s most prestigious winter polo tournament and features four high-goal teams with handicaps between 18 and 22 battling for the coveted Cartier Trophy on the frozen surface of Lake St Moritz. It’s as much a social spectacle as a sporting event, and this year attracted about 10,000 spectators over the four-day competition. Top players from around the world took part and the teams for 2007 were Maybach, Julius Baer, Cartier and Brioni. On Sunday 28 February, in front of packed grandstands, team Brioni won its first Cartier Trophy by beating holders Cartier by a golden goal in an extra fifth chukka in the final, after drawing 3-3 at full time. The Chesa Albertini was the perfect place to stay during the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow. The combination of home-from-home comfort, high-class service and the thrill of the game played at 1800 metres on the frozen lake made for a heady cocktail, even without the endless supply of Perrier Jouet. www.descent.co.uk
Descent is expanding rapidly, with luxury now about service, exclusivity and quality of experience rather than brand names
The high life Descent chalets (centre left) are the perfect place to stay while taking in the polo and enjoying the jet-set lifestyle of St Moritz
SCOTT BARBOUR/GETTY IMAGES
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If like me you have spent a disproportionate amount of your life fantasising about being James Bond, then Descent International was made for you. Imagine a service that puts you up in the best chalets; provides you with your own staff of black-clad chauffeurs, chefs, housekeepers and general assistants; and attends to the daily grind while you enjoy your well-earned rest. That was Kit Harrison’s dream 10 years ago when he started Descent, a luxury travel company specialising in Alpine properties. Today it is expanding rapidly, with luxury now about service, exclusivity and quality of experience rather than brand names. His 15 privately owned chalets (Descent manage them for their owners) are in places like Verbier, Zermatt, Val D’Isère and Meribel, and boast chic furniture and furnishings with all the mod cons, including saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs (indoor and out), cinemas, massage rooms, ski rooms and wireless broadband. But more than the kit and furnishings, what makes these places special is the fact that you don’t have to lift a finger. Included in the package are meals prepared by your chef, access to a fine wine cellar, an open spirit bar, Perrier Jouet champagne and canapés served daily, fresh flowers, daily newspapers, and a chauffeur-driven VW Touareg 4x4 (or a fleet if you have a bigger party). Then there are skiing lessons and guides, massage on site, live-in or part-time nannies, and all the less exciting but vital stuff like airport transfers and travel insurance, and private flights. One of Descent’s properties is located just outside St Moritz, in La Punt, seven minutes’ drive from the town centre, and five from the private airfield at Samedan. The Chesa Albertini is more a mansion than a chalet: it sleeps 12 to 16, comes with seven staff and features a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, cold plunge bath, massage room, gym, card room, reading room, cinema room – you get the picture. The house is a beautifully restored 17th century property built by the Albertini
