Is Chalet La Fenice the best ski chalet in Italy?
Perched high above the stunning Italian ski resort of Cervinia sits Chalet La Fenice, spread across 6 floors and with a vast 1,200 square meters of luxurious living space, behold the best luxury ski chalet in Italy.
Italy has a long and historic relationship with skiing, and its beautiful traditional ski resorts have been welcoming winter sports enthusiasts for countless years. However, compared to the neighbouring countries of Switzerland and France, Italy has never quite been at the forefront of the luxury ski chalet scene, until now. The modernisation of the ultra luxury chalets combined with state of the art lift systems such as that of the brand new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing Lift has catapulted ski resorts like Cervinia to the top of the pile in terms of technical innovation and luxury.
This stunning new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing lift system has the ability to transport 1,300 guests per hour from the Testa Grigia lift station in Cervinia in Italy, direct to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Zermatt in Switzerland. With stunning features such as glass seats and floors to give passengers amazing views of the Theodul Glacier below it is a new dimension of cable car travel. From there you can take the Glacier Express train down to Zermatt, offering super-fast access between the two resorts. Welcome to the new era of luxury in Italian ski resorts.
Where is Chalet La Fenice situated?
Sitting commandingly 100 meters above Cervinia, one of the most famous resorts in Italy, you’ll find the exceptional Chalet La Fenice. In Italian ‘La Fenice’ means ‘The Phoenix’, which tie’s in fantastically with the story of this ultra luxury chalet. The original stone-built chalet was constructed in 1936 right at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn. During its peak the chalet was renowned for its beautiful botanic gardens and breathtaking views, in the process attracting a selection of notable visitors, including that of the Italian royal family of Savoy.
Left in a state of disrepair and unloved for years, its new British owners undertook a thorough restoration project, incorporating the original historical structure and design into what is undoubtedly one of the most stunning chalets in not just Italy, but possibly the world. Following a tour through the property with the current owners it’s very apparent that no expense was spared during the renovation. It’s incredible to hear the passion in the voice of the people who revived this traditional leviathan chalet, and it’s quite clear that the goal of creating one of the finest luxury ski chalets in the world has not just been achieved, but it’s been well and truly obliterated.
What is Chalet La Fenice like inside?
Walking in through the main entrance is akin to entering one of the worlds finest hotels, the sheer sense of scale created by the high ceiling is instantly apparent. So too are the painstaking levels of detail that the owners have gone to, ensuring that anyone lucky enough to stay at Chalet La Fenice enjoys the ultimate luxury ski experience. Suspended from the rafters in the main entrance are a marvellous custom creation of crystals, almost giving the feeling that it’s snowing inside, with their brilliant dazzle and shine creating a true sense of awe and wonder in this magical chalet.
The main entrance leads you straight into the first floor which is host to a grand dining room, show kitchen used for breakfasts and plating up mouthwatering dinners in front of eagerly anticipating guests. On the opposite side of the chalet you’ll find the drawing and club room which is intended as a quiet space to relax and unwind after an invigorating day of skiing around Cervinia or Zermatt’s pristine pistes, or enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail from the custom made drinks cabinet.
The interior decor across the whole floor flows seamlessly, the traditional reclaimed wood blends in perfectly with the granite finish of the kitchen and the stonework of the drawing room, all of which is wonderfully illuminated by the staggeringly beautiful crystal chandeliers in both rooms. Moving up through the chalet into the vast luxury bedrooms is something that any weary skier will tell you is one of most anticipated moments of the day, and in Chalet La Fenice all of the sumptuous 7 bedrooms contain local materials to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, most rooms have their own large, private terraces, furnished with luxurious Minotti furniture.
Retreat and relax in your marble-clad bathroom, stocked with bespoke Institut Esthederm skin care products. This uncompromising approach to the bedrooms ensures that guests can get the best nights rest in order to recharge themselves for the next day, and just to top things off if you’re lucky enough to stay in one of the chalets Eastern facing rooms you’ll be treated to one of the best views of the iconic Matterhorn mountain.
Moving from the highest floors of the chalet down to the ground floor is the area that in my opinion makes this chalet stand out from almost any other available at this day and age, and that’s the spa and wellness area. Featuring a huge 10 meter indoor glass floored pool with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the spectacular slopes of the Matterhorn. You also have access to a glass walled steam room and sauna to stretch out those tired aching ski legs, as well as a ultra modern open air steel jacuzzi from where you can sip champagne in the snow until your heart’s content. For those who prefer to stay active or burn off the previous nights cheese course can do so in the fully kitted out gym, offering state of the equipment and facilities.
Moving down through the central staircase you’ll pass the home cinema, complete with a 3 tier sofa set up for you to sink into in front of the huge HD projector screen, with surround sound speakers and with the private chalet team on hand with popcorn, snacks and freshly-mixed drinks, is there a better way to end a perfect day in the mountains?
The lower ground floor is home to the entrance tunnel through which the chalets unmistakable blue private Landrovers come in and out of to deliver guests to the foot of the slopes or into town, this dedicated driving team ensures you’ll never miss a beat when the weathers good. Down on this floor you’ll find the world’s most elaborate ski boot room, with plush seating and amazing space to get kitted up for the day, but what did you expect from Chalet La Fenice?
The main reception area goes directly underneath the glass floored swimming pool, and ‘although the owner says it wasn’t intentional’ also once again provides a clear front row view of Matterhorn mountain from the depths of the chalet. This is also home to a fantastic wine cellar, the staff office and services rooms where the hard work is done to keep this magnificent chalet running at the optimum level. You really do get the feeling when you look around and take everything in that nothing is too much trouble, and with the professional team which consists of a chalet manager, front of house, private chef and sous chef, private chauffeur, housekeepers and childcare, you’re in in pretty safe hands.
So, is Chalet La Fenice the best ski chalet in Italy?
The truth is we could go on for days about Chalet La Fenice. It really is a mind-bending, jaw-dropping, eye-wateringly beautiful chalet which is designed to be nothing short of the world’s most incredible luxury chalet, and if you want our opinion it’d be hard to think of anything that compare.
To find out more about booking any of these incredible luxury ski chalets in Cerviniasimply contact our experienced chalet specialists and we will send you a bespoke quote.
