The Brecon | Nicemakers

The Brecon is an Alpine hideaway that brings hospitality to the Swiss-Alps like that of a generous friend who intuits your every need – with the facilities of a luxury Alpine chalet at hand. Tucked away in the mountain village of Adelboden, 45 minutes from Bern and two hours from both Zurich and Geneva, its offering is about warm hospitality, careful attention to detail, and delectable freedom from the outside world. Beyond The Brecon’s doors you’ll find excellent pistes in winter for skiing and snowboarding, superb hiking trails and cycling routes to explore summer-long (some also accessible in winter), mountain streams and rivers for bracing dips, and memorable local experiences of the modest, heartening kind.

The Brecon boasts 18 intelligently appointed rooms and four larger suites featuring contemporary interiors designed by award winning studio Nicemakers. The interior embodies their belief that the history of any given site is as significant as its modified context. In summary, this means accommodation, facilities and shared spaces foster connection and privacy equally; and that all are distinctly contemporary while echoing the hotel’s 1950s-60s heyday. Back then, this was Adelboden’s place to be seen, previously known as The Waldhaus. So many Swiss Alpine destinations now vaunt that tagline, however, the point - and intention - of The Brecon’s offer is that guests can remain wholly unseen by the outside world.

Natural materials – timber, stone, leather and wool prevail throughout, with a mix of carefully selected vintage and contemporary furniture; their earthy palette and tactile finishes sit in perfect complement to breathtaking mountain views. Books, magazines and artworks by Amsterdam’s Bisou Gallery are in liberal supply, but as an encouragement to unwind, televisions are pointedly absent. All rooms and suites are complete with Aesop bathroom amenities.

Founder Grant Maunder, Wales native who has had strong ties to Adelboden since his family took their first ski trip to the village 40 years ago says - “With The Brecon we want our guests to feel completely at ease, as if they’re staying in a generous friend’s home rather than at a hotel.”

Good food and relaxed dining are integral to The Brecon’s hospitality, with dishes served in an intimate yet spacious setting that features an open kitchen and bar. A healthy, pared-back menu is devised daily, based on fresh seasonal produce of the region, with dedicated options for vegetarian guests. In short, you’ll find delicious sustenance whenever you need it.

At the bar, help yourself from a superlative wine list and cocktail menu, freshly prepared juices and smoothies, and organic Waterloo teas and Coaltown coffee. An adjacent lounge provides a welcoming space for post-dining relaxation or socialising, as the mood takes you. So you’re assured of privacy, these shared spaces are accessible solely to guests.

The all inclusive, adult only property is complete with a sensory spa, featuring a steam room, sauna, swimming pool, and a near-monastic relaxation room with an open fire. Guests can also enjoy a range of restorative treatments conducted by expert therapists.

Photography: Michael Sinclair