Going Local in the Swiss Alps

Words Vidula KotianDate 20 January 2021

As we all hanker after 'where' and 'how' we might travel next, there are those that are thinking about 'why' we might want to travel.

After a formative decade as a modern hunting lodge, Cervo Mountain Resort, surrounded by the rugged beauty of Zermatt, is looking to the future where long-standing tradition meets the spirit of discovery of the modern nomad. Cervo’s rebirth when it reopened this winter is based on three key principles: a Promadic mindset of traveling with a purpose, having a global outlook but with local resources, and a heightened approach to sustainability including a newly implemented geothermal heat pump, solar panels, and using local producers and suppliers.

Designed by award-winning studio Dreimeta, known for its pared-down aesthetic, the remodeled spaces feature a modern interpretation of the Alpine lifestyle alongside a decidedly more outward looking perspective of the world. The three room categories have been adapted to seasonal and guests’ personal needs. The rooms and suites in the Huntsman Lodge offer peace and seclusion with private saunas or steam baths as well as open-air bathtubs while the Nomad is basecamp for the modern traveler where guests can scale a wall to their rooms should they prefer it to stairs.

This glocal perspective is decidedly pronounced at the resort’s three restaurants. At Bazaar, a lively eatery inspired by bustling Oriental markets, a largely plant-based menu is served in a space that also doubles as a shop where guests can buy the décor and haggling over the price is encouraged. At night, an inconspicuous door leads to the vaults of a wine cellar, where the Grapes & Juniper bar stocks 40 different gins. At Italian restaurant Madre Nostra, meaning mother earth, contemporary dishes are crafted with ingredients from suppliers within a 150-kilometer radius, while Ferdinand, with its Valais-focused cuisine, combines Zermatt mountain aesthetics with regional specialties made wholly from local produce.

Cervo’s new wellness concept at the Mountain Ashram Spa is dedicated to introducing guests to therapies from all over the world, such as Ayurveda treatments and Onsen baths while also providing classic Alpine ones. With a deeper approach to wellness beyond the sauna and gym, the spa also offers yoga, meditation, and rituals to help people open the door to mindful practices. An herb garden provides guests with plenty of options to brew their own tea. As proud owner Daniel Lauber puts it, “Zermatt is a very nice spot to discover things but also a very nice spot to discover yourself.”