I don’t often make New Year’s Eve resolutions, but after one too many disappointing New Year’s Eve parties in recent years I was inspired to make one on 1 January 2016. Instead of spending rather a lot of money on a rather rubbish night, I would throw excessive amounts of money at the problem. No over-priced, reservation-only London bars or Nigella Lawson-inspired house parties for me this year; I’m going large.
And I don’t believe it’s possible to go larger in the ski chalet world this winter than by booking out the new 7 Heavens development in Zermatt. A shining example of Zermatt’s move towards cutting-edge architecture and design, the seven “heavenly” chalets are definitively contemporary. Located in the heart of town, spitting distance from the Sunnegga funicular, they’ve sold at sky-high sums of up to £20 million.
Happily, if you can’t be bothered with the faff of chalet ownership, it’s possible to enjoy a week’s holiday in one of the completed properties. High-end chalet operator Haute Montagne will be managing the trio, each named after a peak dotted across the globe: Aconcagua, Elbrus and Kilimanjaro. Each features five bedrooms, large balconies overlooking the Matterhorn, a professional kitchen, slick dining room, capacious sitting room and private wellness area with indoor hot tub and sauna or steam room. If size matters, go for the palatial Chalet Kilimanjaro, which comes complete with a private cinema and hot tub large enough for 12. However, Chalet Aconcagua’s monochrome modernity and sleek TV-cum-playroom more than make up for its relatively diminutive size. And, at 555m2 (three times the size of the average three-bedroom British house), diminutive is relative. On top of these private facilities, guests have the 7 Heavens central hub at their disposal, comprising a reception with 24/7 concierge, a well-stocked bar, swanky cigar lounge and gym.
Accustomed to catering to the whims of the rich, famous and rockstar, Haute Montagne applies the tried and tested super yacht pricing model to its chalets rather than factoring in bottomless bubbles and fathomless foie gras. So, when you take a 7 Heavens property, you’ll only pay up front for the chalet and staff (including top-notch private chef) – the bill for what you’ve consumed, your ski instructors, helicopter rides and that fleet of Aston Martins will be presented before you return home. So, if you really fancy a blowout New Year’s Eve but are a bit short on readies, you could potentially live on bread and water from 26 to 30 December to save up for a New Year’s Eve splurge.
Taking just one of the 7 Heavens chalets, each accommodating 12 guests, would make for a memorable party. However, for the ultimate New Year’s Eve, take all three for the week (26 December 2016 – 3 January 2017) and Haute Montagne will provide no fewer than 21 professional staff members to cater for your 36-strong gang of besties. Music to the ears of even the most embittered New Year’s Killjoy.
Top price: CHF394,700 (£325,000) for one week’s exclusive use of three 7 Heavens chalets, accommodation only.
Bargain price: CHF116,100 (£95,600) for one 7 Heavens chalet, accommodation only.
Read more: Hautemontagne
