46°29'19.653"N 7°33'13.17"E The Brecon, Adelboden Switzerland

The Brecon is the second Alpine offering besides of neighbouring The Cambrian – from Welsh hotelier Grand Maunder. The hotel’s impeccably designed interiors hark back to the building’s 1950s-60s heyday as the Waldhaus; transforming the hotel from its previous incarnation as ‘the place to be seen’ into a discreet refuge where guests can retreat from the outside world. Hiking trails, ski slopes and cycle routes beckon from the surrounding peaks, although guests can choose to take it easy, soak up the views and indulge in the vast selection of books and magazines available.

All food and drink are complimentary during your stay; from a la carte breakfasts, to afternoon tea and healthy seasonal dinners served in an intimate setting featuring an open kitchen. The self-service bar boasts an impressive selection of wines, champagnes and cocktails, as well as fresh juices and smoothies to keep you refreshed all day long, from morning coffees to aperitifs. 

Natural materials and an earthy colour palette reign throughout the hotel, with Mid-Century influences complemented by contemporary artworks, furniture and textiles. The private lounge is reserved for guests only; a melting pot of stone, timber, wool and leather highlighted by pops of colour and pattern. A heated outdoor pool, wooden sauna and sumptuous spa provide the perfect base for relaxing following long hikes in the hills. 

Rooms Each of the hotel’s 19 rooms and 3 loft suites embraces a warm, cosy yet luxurious ambiance. Forest and Valley Cosy double rooms are nestled in quiet corners of the hotels, whilst Mountain Cosy and Waterfall Corner rooms boast balconies offering vistas of the surrounding peaks. Top floor Lofts serve as suites with panoramic views and more space for unwinding. Each room is designed to feel like an intelligently designed, supremely comfortable home, featuring reading nooks, Aesop amenities, Roberts radios and Welsh blankets woven by Melin Tregwynt traditional weavers.

How far to the nearest…

• Resident neighbour 50m
• Shop 200m
• Café/Restaurant 200m
• Town 200m
• Airport 189km/ Zurich Airport, 3hr by Train. Geneva Airport 225km, 162km Basel Airport

Energy  Mains electricity.

Transport The hotel encourages guests to travel via public transport, offering a free luggage service which can be booked in conjunction with SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). This service arranges for your luggage to be collected from your home and awaiting your arrival at the hotel.

Environment The landscape surrounding Adelboden includes conservation areas that preserve the natural diversity of the region, protecting the native flora and fauna from overdevelopment.

Community The Brecon invites its guests to make themselves at home, whether that means helping themselves to the bar or sprawling on a sofa in the residents-only lounge with a pile of books.

Digital detox  Unwinding is encouraged here, with not a screen in sight in the hotel. Instead of televisions, a generous supply of books and magazines are available to peruse. Wifi – yes. Phone reception – yes.

Creature comforts Aesop amenities are available for guests to enjoy in the comfort of their rooms.

The Bernese Oberland Alps are an idyllic location for anyone with a love of the outdoors, full of Alpine forests, rocky peaks and quaint villages to explore. Summer and winter are the peak seasons here; summer’s cloudless skies providing the perfect climate for wild river swimming, mountain biking and long hikes in search of edelweiss, while winter’s snow blankets the slopes of not one but three neighbouring ski areas: Engstligenalp, Tschentenalp and Silleren. While spring and autumn are considered low seasons, this is a year-round destination, especially for hiking and wildlife watching.

Engage

The mountains are your playground, offering everything from Alpine springs to black ski slopes. Winter guests seeking less perilous pleasures can indulge in gentle slopes, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing, before retreating to the hotel for afternoon tea and aperitifs. During high summer, discover Adelboden’s natural beauty on long hikes taking in dense forests, mountain meadows and rocky slopes. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as marmots, chamois, ibex and golden eagles.

Savour

Part of The Brecon’s concept is that all food and drink is included in your stay, from continental a la carte breakfasts to aperitifs around the pool. The dinner menu adapts daily, dependent on local, seasonal produce with dedicated vegetarian offerings.

Go slow

Enjoy relaxing private yoga lessons. Practice shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) surrounded by coniferous woodland. Channel The Sound of Music while meandering through mountain meadows. Take the plunge with icy dips in streams fed by snow melt. Hike to high altitudes. Take to the trails on a mountain bike, or tackle the less challenging yet picturesque Gravelpassage loop on two wheels. Indulge in a lazy afternoon in the hotel’s guests-only spa; relaxing beside a roaring fire in the relaxation room, swimming laps in the heated outdoor pool, working up a sweat in the sauna and steam room, or treating yourself to a relaxing massage.