By Shereen Shabnam

Someone once said that to get a true feel of Switzerland, you need to visit Gstaad. Having been all over Switzerland in the last few years, we continued our search of unique Alpine experiences and had the most memorable holiday at HUUS Gstaad, a warm homely hotel nestled among the rolling peaks of the Bernese Alps with the best views in all of Gstaad.

I travelled with my family and we loved the friendly and down to earth staff who went above and beyond to make us feel at home the minute we arrived at the hotel with some value-added experiences that got my daughter realise her dream of river rafting.  

The hotel encourages us to go outdoors and explore the beautiful region in as many ways as possible. My daughter was given other host of professionally-led activities like trekking, climbing and rope courses to choose from.

We visited well-known world-class ski resorts, saw stunning scenery from cable cars, met friendly locals and met other global jet-setters and families in the evenings in the cosy lobby of the hotel while playing board games and sipping the best hot chocolate one can get in Switzerland.

The hotel has views of soaring mountain ranges and cloud-free blue skies set in a landscape that’s as rich in natural beauty as it is adventure. When inside, the hotel’s architectural and interior design is characterised by the Alpine traditions, using locally sourced woods and stones to create the authentically rustic, Alpine style

After a week of work travel, my favourite part of the hotel was the sauna and pool at HUUSspa for some relaxation and wellbeing.  There are more than 2,000 square meters of wellness facilities spread across three floors for guests to enjoy at Huus Gstaad.

At the hotel’s restaurant, we enjoyed the flavours of the Alpine world trying out oozy cheese fondue, seafood dishes and some contemporary cuisine while enjoying the views through the restaurant’s panoramic windows and the expansive terrace. Breakfast offers over 200 choices of staples, organic and health foods and my daughter learned how to press fresh orange.

My favourite memory of the stay at Huus Gstaad is the unparalleled views of the great outdoors from both the lounge and the lounge terrace, the crackle of the log fire and the many cosy corners around the HUUS library and the live music in the lobby.

Every moment at Huus Gstaad left an imprint on our hearts and it is a place that beckons you back to the alpines. Personally I look forward to my next Gstaad experience with warm memories of mountain adventures and hot chocolate by the Huus Gstaad library and fireplace.

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By Shereen Shabnam

Going back to London and stopping in the city before seeing family is always a good idea … and the place you stay in makes the London experience that much better. In my case, there are three hotels that I select each time, one of which is the Corinthia Hotel London, rated amongst London’s finest 5-star luxury hotels.

The palatial property combines traditional grandeur with modern freshness and the luxuriously redesigned Victorian destination is ideally located in the heart of London, a short walk from many of the city’s major attractions.

The primary reason I selected this property was to experience a day at ESPA Life at the Corinthia, which is a new generation of spa designed for those seeking an exclusive haven dedicated to relaxation, health and fitness.

Spread over four floors and covering 3,300 square metres in the heart of London, ESPA Life at Corinthia offers revolutionary lifestyle programmes, incorporating complementary and alternative medicine and targeted fitness and rehabilitation services that focus on sports training, detox, sleep, weight loss and general vitality.

After a rejuvenating facial and massage, I rested in a tranquil lounge.

Trying out one of ESPA Life’s 17 oval treatment pods was the highlight. Each treatment uses the highly efficacious and natural ESPA product range and combines both new and indigenous techniques of the world’s most renowned therapies to deliver a unique treatment offering.

An extensive thermal floor area provides a dedicated space in which guests can completely relax and unwind. Alongside a swimming pool, there is a vitality pool, glass amphitheatre sauna, steam room and heated marble loungers. ESPA Life at Corinthia is also a destination for grooming and fitness needs with a salon and a state-of-the-art gym.

The enormity and grandeur of the spa is simply breathtaking and after a relaxed time there, the best place to head for a meal is the Massimo Restaurant & Oyster, offering modern Italian cuisine, and the musically inspired Bassoon Bar.

The Northall restaurant, serves the best in British produce throughout the day and having breakfast there in the mornings every day was a delight. The new Garden Lounge offers all-day dining options in an al fresco David Collins Studio designed garden landscape.

Housed within a Victorian building, Corinthia Hotel London features 294 rooms, including 40 suites and 7 penthouses, offering sweeping views across London’s most popular landmarks.

Cutting-edge technology in rooms was handy considering the beautiful ambience motivated me to write a few creative articles while staying there. The meeting rooms allow for recording, mixing and broadcasting from dedicated media rooms.

Corinthia London is a great place to stay in the heart of London and I particularly took advantage of its location to walk and watch popular theatre productions and spend quality time in the bookshops in between sampling lovely tea offerings at Fortnum & Masons.

It is a great point from where every part of London with attractions is within easy reach and the staff are helpful in terms of directing you to places that interest you most. It is definitely a spa destination I would go back to as well for rest and relaxation.

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