Check-In: Villars Palace

Established in 1913, the Villars Palace embodies elegance, discretion and prestige. Over the past century, this historic building in the village of Villars has hosted celebrities, comedians, royals, writers, athletes and singers. After a renovation in 2022, the hotel now shines in renewed splendor. Villars Palace is one of four hotels within the Villars Alpine Resort (VAR), set in the Swiss Alps. The other three are Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa, Victoria Hotel & Residence and Villars Lodge. Together, they offer 406 rooms and suites, including residences, 11 restaurants and bars, 21 versatile meeting, conference, and exhibition rooms, three permanent exhibition halls, three spas, a majestic ballroom, and the oldest theater in the Alps, which hosts numerous concerts and cultural performances.

Ambiance
Stepping into the building sets a warm tone for the visit, with grand windows offering majestic views of the Alps. The hotel blends elegance with comfort, making it an ideal destination for couples, solo travelers and families. What I particularly appreciated were the smiling faces of the staff, from the concierge to the front desk personnel and even the General Manager. Their warm welcome made me feel as though I was staying in my home away from home. 

Location
The holiday resort of Villars-sur-Ollon is situated at an altitude of 1,258 meters on a natural, south-facing plateau in the heart of the Vaud Alps. Positioned just under 900 meters above the Rhone Valley, the resort is approximately 60 km from Lausanne, nearly 100 km from Geneva and 240 km from Zurich. The Bex – Villars – Bretaye train route and numerous bus connections ensure that Villars-sur-Ollon is easily accessible. The Villars Alpine Resort can also be reached by public transport in just over 3.5 hours from Zurich, 1.5 hours from Lausanne, and 2.5 hours from Geneva.

Design  
Villars Palace features a sophisticated design that blends alpine wood materials with soft tones and modern flair. This luxury hotel combines the elegance of a high-end establishment with the cozy charm of a traditional alpine chalet. Each floor of the hotel is themed around a different continent, featuring décor, artwork and books from that region. Additionally, the hallways are adorned with inspiring quotes to uplift guests as they move through the hotel – an intriguing and meaningful touch. Parts of the hotel are also decorated with framed original comics of «The Adventures of Tintin» and figures from the series.

Rooms
Villars Palace features 102 rooms and 7 suites, ranging from 18 to 30 sqm. Each room is equipped with a balcony offering captivating views of the surrounding Alps and lush forests, perfect for relaxation. The design, featuring natural materials and warm, woody tones, creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. I stayed in the Superior Panorama Suite, which boasted a spacious room and a large balcony with a breathtaking view of the Alps. It felt like stepping into a scene from the iconic film The Sound of Music. Waking up to the sunlight casting a pink hue over the mountains, accompanied by the sound of chirping birds, was a serene experience. The calm brown tones of the room harmonized with the landscape, making for a relaxing start to my day. This tranquility was further enhanced by a restful night’s sleep on the comfortable bed, encouraging me to linger and savor a leisurely morning.

Drinking & Dining
Villars Palace offers a wide range of culinary experiences. The hotel features the restaurant Le 1913, which has been awarded 16 out of 20 points by Gault & Millau. With both indoor and outdoor seats, guests can choose to enjoy the cozy interiors or the fresh alpine air with stunning views. In a warm atmosphere, Le 1913 serves authentic yet refined Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The delicious dishes are accompanied by fine wines, and for non-alcohol drinkers, the hotel offers a wide range of non-alcoholic alternatives, ensuring that every guest feels welcomed and catered to.

Another dining option is the Bar du Palace. The restaurant’s vintage décor and wooden tones create a cozy and comfortable setting for enjoying a fine cheeseburger, a classic club sandwich or a selection of teas and coffees. In the evening, the dimmed lighting and lively atmosphere are complemented by bartenders who craft surprising cocktails, such as the «Orient Express» or the «Off Piste Sour.»

For breakfast, guests can head to the majestic ballroom, where a diverse selection of breads, muesli, cereals, eggs, pancakes and juices – including personalized creations by an expert – await.

Pool & Spa
Villars Palace offers an exclusive wellness and sports experience with breathtaking panoramic views of the Alps. The amenities include an outdoor pool, a hammam, a sauna and a fitness area. Treatments at the KAEA SPA are meticulously tailored to each guest’s individual needs, providing relaxation, rejuvenation and revitalization with the assistance of highly trained spa therapists.

Activities
Situated in the heart of Villars-sur-Ollon, a region renowned for its skiing and hiking opportunities, the Villars Alpine Resort offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. The Villars-Gryon-Diablerets ski area features over 130 kilometers of slopes suitable for all levels, while the high-altitude Glacier 3000 guarantees snow-secure skiing and snowboarding from November to May. Additionally, there are numerous trails and tracks for hiking and biking, as well as facilities like a football field, tennis courts and a basketball court, making it an ideal location for both active and leisurely breaks. Tourist destinations such as Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle, and Montreux are just about 30 minutes away, perfect for excursions.

Victoria Hotel & Residence
Victoria Hotel & Residence, opened in 1894 and renovated in 2021, is a four-star hotel with 150 rooms that caters to a younger clientele. The hotel features a modern, elegant and minimalist design, ensuring comfort. The balconies are equipped with solar panels on the exterior façade, providing both technological and aesthetic benefits, leading to overall savings of about 28% on daily electricity consumption. The hotel offers an innovative hospitality experience with a focus on sustainability. The hallways are decorated with interesting and insightful facts about Switzerland. The hotel features numerous amenities, including a fitness and spa area, a pool and a play corner for children. Guests can enjoy different culinary experiences at Le Peppino with authentic Italian cuisine, Les Saisons with a seasonal buffet and fresh pastries for breakfast, and Bar du Victoria in the lobby, where they can enjoy a drink in a calm environment while relaxing or reading a book.

Villars Lodge
Built in 1870, Villars Lodge originally served as a shared space with a restaurant and bar, inspired by Hotel Bellevue. Revived as a trendy and affordable accommodation in 2019, it now offers 57 rooms ideal for families, solo travelers and groups of friends who want to enjoy a carefree vacation in the Vaud Alps. The range of options includes budget single rooms with shared bathrooms and fully equipped family apartments. Since June 2024, Villars Lodge’s restaurant “1870” has introduced a new concept, inviting guests to embark on an international culinary adventure with «Voyages Extraordinaires.» Guests can enjoy a fine and light tapas menu. The wooden walls and high ceilings exude spaciousness and warmth, making 1870 the perfect place for an unforgettable evening with family or friends.

Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa
Opened in 2008, the luxury Chalet RoyAlp Hotel & Spa joined the Villar Alpine Resort group in 2023. This five-star hotel combines classic chalet ambiance with modern luxury and offers 63 rooms and suites, as well as 29 apartments. Serving as an oasis of tranquility in the mountains, the hotel features a 1,200 sqm spa with multisensory showers, a sauna, a hammam, a whirlpool, an ice fountain, a swimming pool with a fireplace and a modern fitness area. Guests can savor a range of culinary experiences, from Italian-inspired dishes and traditional Swiss fare to tapas-style appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas and burgers, at Le Jardin des Alpes, Le Rochegrise, Le Grizzly, La Cabane, and Le BeAr’s Bar.

Villars Palace Hotels and Academy SA
Route des Hotels 28
1884 Villars-sur-Ollon
Switzerland
villarspalace.ch
info@var.ch