Taking Off

by travel-expert José Berrocoso

Photography: Kelvin Trautman

Hit the Slopes, Unwind & Repeat

With its redefinition of traditional Alpine culture and renewed alignment with the modern explorer, Cervo Mountain Resort has strengthened its position as a gateway to the rugged beauty and mystical mountain world of Zermatt. Featuring three room concepts, each providing a differentiated experience, the hotel is also home to a casual yet sophisticated curated après-ski program, the Mountain Ashram Spa with its outdoor onsen and natural pool, and much more to create an unparalleled winter holiday destination. Here, days spent skiing on the slopes, snowshoeing, or tobogganing are rounded out in an environment defined by a relaxed contemporary Alpine style and underpinned by enhanced sustainability practices that include powering the resort almost entirely with geothermal energy.

Following an eight-month redesign by multi-award-winning studio Dreimeta, Cervo Mountain Resort reopened in December 2020 as an updated, environmentally conscious Alpine hotel. Now, long-standing tradition meets the modern nomad’s spirit of mindful discovery for a relaxed yet refined basecamp from which to explore the surrounding landscape, as well as a multifaceted sanctuary to recharge in. With almost 95% of the resort’s energy requirements covered by geothermal energy, solar panels lining the balconies of accommodations, and three on-site restaurants stocked with locally cultivated produce, Cervo’s sustainability credentials are a direct manifestation the resort’s strong commitment to conscious travel. Additionally, the hotel aims to connect with its community through a range of engagement programs, such as Cervo’s partnerships with local initiatives Lebensraum Zermatt and Bikeclub Matteral. This spirit of collaboration and service is further punctuated by Cervo’s support of a regular local soup kitchen and vegetable market, in addition to the area’s annual Sustainability Day. Cervo’s location in Zermatt places it in close proximity to 38 impressive Alpine peaks and it is the only resort in town that offers guests ski-in ski-out access. Skiers and snowboarders can discover over 360 kilometers of surrounding slopes that reach heights of 3,883 meters and winter hikers and mountaineers can traverse an equally expansive network of trails. Also nearby are dog sleigh rides through idyllic snowy landscapes, ice skating, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing. Cervo’s heated ski storage area makes for a seamless transition from sanctuary to slope, and the ski-in terraces provide a laid-back yet exclusive après-ski program to round off the day. Rotating between the restaurant’s Bazaar terrace and two other terraces on resort grounds, the curated program promises afternoons filled with live music performances and DJ sets paired with perfectly crafted cocktails and backdropped by stunning views of the Matterhorn. Guests may also decelerate and recenter at the newly constructed Mountain Ashram Spa, where casual contemporary

elegance meets elements like precious herbs and fresh spring water that bring centuries-old traditions from around the world to the Swiss mountain landscape. Outdoor features include a naturally filtered freshwater pool surrounded by lounge chairs and a yoga deck, a sauna, an ice bath, and a Japanese onsen. These complement indoor offerings, which include a steam bath infused with local herbs, sound mediation and yoga sessions, and holistic treatments that combine practices like Bhutanese hot stone baths with healing massages. Social and environmental consciousness, along with a sense of unassuming, casual luxury, also permeate the resort’s three room concepts—Nomad, Alpinist, and Huntsman— which each offer a different ambiance to appeal to various types of promadic travelers. The Nomad rooms and suite are geared toward modern explorers with a series of innovative conveniences, while the peaceful and relaxing Alpinist rooms and suites feature private bars with fresh drinks mixed daily, as well as relaxing tubs and in-room saunas in the spa suites. The exclusive Huntsman triple suite, spa suites, and room, which can be combined to create a singular Huntsman Lodge, also offer in-room spas as well as private chefs and chalet personnel on request. Near to the resort grounds is the Overlook Lodge, which is home to five four-star serviced apartments that reflect the same aesthetic and relaxed spirit as the hotel rooms and are furnished with fully equipped kitchens. Each space is tied together with a common thread of modern design details that reinterpret the traditional Alpine lifestyle, and views of the same spectacular sight: the picturesque winter wonderland that is Zermatt and the Matterhorn.