Second stage of this long weekend in Switzerland with W Verbier. We know, you’ve read about it in all the American Frequent Traveler blogs. Let’s cut to the chase: yes, it’s an “AMAZING” hotel, but no, we didn’t book with our points at a super smart rate during the Starwood-Marriott transition.
No, we just had an excellent time, in a hotel that’s certainly expensive, but worth the detour for its location, its facilities… But above all for the extremely polite Swiss level of service and a clientele that behaves well.
Itinerary reminder :
Booking
As I told you in the previous review, we had to change our plans at the last minute to take account of the somewhat capricious mid-summer weather in the Alpine world.
We had originally planned to stay for 3 nights in another Swiss resort, Rougemont. But I had the opportunity to benefit from an exceptional rate of 233 CHF at the W Verbier for a Spectacular room (the one with the best possible view) and I jumped at the chance…
Our change of plans reduced this stay to just two nights, but what nights !
Arrival
The W Verbier is not known for its particularly generous treatment of Marriott Elite: this will be verified before my arrival, as no upgrades will have been proactively made.
We arrive by car from Montreux, after a good hour’s drive, half of which is very winding at the end.
On arrival, our vehicle is picked up by the valet and our luggage is unloaded. Parking costs CHF 29 per day in summer, with unlimited entry and exit.
We are immediately attended to by a receptionist who proceeds with the check-in formalities in the courteous manner one would expect in a 5-star hotel like this.
Our passports are checked, as is the credit card, which is then imprinted.
In over 10 years of staying at Marriott, this will be the first time I’ve been asked for proof of my rate! But that’s nothing out of the ordinary, given the fraction of the price paid compared with the public rate.
I’m confirmed as having a Spectacular room (so no upgrade), but I don’t ask to make sure I get the view.
I’m also told that the hotel is operating almost as normal. Spa capacity is slightly reduced to accommodate social distancing, and one of the restaurants is closed.
For check-out, I’m reminded that W Verbier is a resort, and that check-out is at 11am. I know I’ll be requesting a late check-out the day before, which is offered to Platinum members and above subject to availability.
Room
Our receptionist accompanies us to our room, as is customary in Grand Luxe hotels.
Our Spectacular room is located on the 4th floor of the hotel, on the same floor as reception, so it’s very easy to get to.
The decor is really excellent, a blend of traditional chalet and design that’s quite successful, unlike far too many of the chain’s hotels that are stuck in the late 90s.
The entrance features a closet and shoe rack, ideal for storing hiking clothes and ski equipment in winter (a special ski storage room is available for all guests).
The toilets are on the right, and we love their Swiss-style decor!
The bathroom is open-plan, and has a washbasin of course, a bathtub that we won’t be using this time, and a very large shower that will be very pleasant after our hikes.
Bathrobes are provided, of course, and we’ll be making good use of them on our many visits to the spa!
The room is also elegantly decorated.
A lounge area with a wall-mounted sofa and coffee table is perfect for morning coffee. A symbolic welcome was left there, but the written note is very personal indeed.
There’s a large desk for working if necessary, and an espresso machine that also dispenses hot water for making tea. Unfortunately, there are no USB sockets, which are so useful for charging most of our devices these days.
The bed is eminently comfortable with the fine W bedding (the W Barcelona bedding is still the best, however), and here too we deplore the lack of sockets on one side of the bed, which shows the age of the hotel.
Finally, the best part: the beautiful terrace, with an almost 360° view over the valley, which we already miss when we leave the hotel. This view is priceless.
To finish, a video visit of this room:
Hotel facilities
The hotel offers a wide range of facilities. Some are designed to facilitate activities in the resort, such as the Ski Room for storing equipment.
We won’t be using the fitness room this time either, which is located on the second floor near the spa.
On the other hand, we’ll be using the AWAY spa several times to relax after each day in Verbier (and even on the last day!).
The welcome is absolutely charming. The receptionist told us on arrival that the spa was at 33% capacity… This was not the case, and all the mattresses were almost fully occupied on each of our visits.
These mattresses are located around the pool (called WET in W… language) which is magical: one part inside, the other outside and you can move between the two… Even if it’s cold, it’s a pleasure to move from inside to outside, to swim in the rain sometimes, and to see the water smoking at 26° outside!
The other area features Sauna, Hammam, Jacuzzi and “Experiential Showers”.
The jacuzzi is very pleasant and can easily accommodate 8 people without feeling particularly cramped. Strangely enough, it’s made of metal, but that’s not shocking in the surrounding environment.
The sauna is a nice size and very pleasant (even if it’s not my forte, I’d make an effort because my wife loves it!), same for the hammam whose steam is scented with essential oils.
Big disappointment, however, for the experimental showers: one is closed and the other only half-functional. The crushed-ice fountain will also be inoperative, which is a pity because it’s important for the body to cool down quickly after a sauna. Sauna and steam rooms are also available in single-sex versions in the changing rooms (and will always be deserted).
The changing rooms are in excellent condition and are a very pleasant place to change between spa and street clothes.
Two things are to be deplored:
- It’s not very pleasant to walk around in a bathrobe in the hotel corridors and around reception to get to the spa. A dedicated course would be more appropriate for a hotel of this standing;
- Access to the “hot” zone is reserved for those over 16. I would have liked parents to have been more attentive to this, and as education is no longer legion, for the staff to ensure that this point is respected. Children playing in the pool is one thing, but running around the equipment that’s supposed to ensure relaxation and serenity is another. At TravelGuys, we like the adult-only areas between 5pm and 10pm, for example.
It makes you wonder what the spa experience is like when it’s running at maximum capacity… Probably not as pleasant!
Food options
As I said above, the only restaurant open at W Verbier is the W Kitchen, the main restaurant under the reception and bar. Access is via a grand staircase/lounge overlooking the valley.
W Kitchen – Breakfast service
Perfect service at breakfast, and a mixed menu at the table and… A real buffet, with no special restrictions other than respecting the barrier gestures! Paradise, in a way…
W Kitchen – Dinner service
As I said in the review of the Majestic in Montreux, we made the choice to stay captive and book for our two nights at the W Kitchen.
On our first evening, the service was rather average, and the waiter seemed annoyed by my requests, even though they were normal.
And above all, the bill was extremely high: over CHF 200 for a dish and a plate of cheeses to share, that’s really not normal.
The second evening, the welcome was quite different: cheerful and delighted to see us, the service just perfect, with just the right amount of closeness and distance to make it warm without being intrusive – in short, the difference between talent and mediocrity…
On the second evening, I discovered that as a Marriott Bonvoy member, I was entitled to a 10% discount…
The meal will be excellent, with excellent basil gnocchi, and a duo of pan-fried beef fillet and truffle tartare… Accompanied by pommes frites and their excellent homemade truffle mayonnaise.
This time, we’ll be generous with the tip.
Departure
For Platinum and higher Marriott Bonvoy members, late check-out is not guaranteed until 4pm. So we went to reception the evening before to arrange a late check-out, which we negotiated hard until 3pm (that’s all we needed).
Departure formalities will be easy, and the invoice correct.
Bottom line
This hotel’s reputation for excellence has clearly not been stolen. However, recognition of Marriott Bonvoy members needs to be perfected. When you’re excellent, it’s easier to be perfect than when you’re mediocre, isn’t it?
