Everything exudes the ethos of the region: food is sourced locally, the décor conveys the ambience of the Valais, and even spa therapies are created using products from the surrounding natural landscape. Provenance is the watchword at The Capra, where sustainability is important, particularly given that it sits in Switzerland’s most sustainable winter resort, the car-free Saas-Fee.
Even the name, derived from the Latin for goat, is inspired by the half-black-half-white breed of goat – the Valais Blackneck – which is indigenous to this Swiss resort region. And how appropriate that three of us within a group visiting in early January were celebrating birthdays as Capricorns, occasions that didn’t go unnoticed at this intimate, five-star establishment where attention to detail is paramount.
Family-owned hotel
Owned by the Letrou family, who are from Greece, that intimacy pervades through the 38 rooms, suites and penthouses, the restaurants, and the Peak Health spa where individuality is at the heart of the treatments.
Opened in 2014 with the aim of creating a cosy but luxurious hotel with a family ambience, Phaedra Letrou explains: “We want people to be instantly comfortable at The Capra; where they feel like they are visiting friends rather than staying in a hotel.”
The rooms are of warm wood and stone with huge beds and balconies with views over the mountains, creating a “home from home” idyll, blending chalet intimacy with luxury, modern elegance and sustainability.
A selection of artworks from young international artists further enhances the style and individuality, along with a ‘fire and ice’ décor concept.
And why choose the Blackneck goat as a symbol?
“There’s only a few thousand in the Valais region,” adds Phaedra, who is Partnership and Experience Director at The Capra. “We felt they were unique and decided to name the hotel after them.”
It is a fitting symbol for a hotel that has its own unique ambience.
Sustainable resort
Saas-Fee, at 1800m above sea level, has 150km of piste and is at an altitude that guarantees snow with no less than 18 summits above 4000m overlooking the village. Red runs snake down from Mittelallalin at 3500m and the world-famous revolving mountain restaurant, leading into impressive blues with a handful of blacks too.
The resort, where electric buggies ferry guests and their luggage around and to and from the lift system, also gained fame in 1984 when Wham! chose it as the location to film their video for the hit single Last Christmas.
With narrow streets, bars and restaurants, shops and a range of hotels, it is lovely to wander and absorb the authenticity of the eco-village in the mountains.
Phaedra adds: “By sourcing everything as locally as possible – food, drink and materials – we feel that is more sustainable. But that is even more important as we are here in Saas Fee, the most sustainable village in Switzerland. In the hotel, we want to mimic what is going on outside.”
Relaxed atmosphere
For those who aren’t skiing, however, there’s much more to do in this Swiss resort with snowshoeing and winter walks, glacier hiking and via ferrata, through to ice climbing, sledging, cross country skiing, curling or husky rides.
There is, however, also a strong case for spending time at The Capra and simply relaxing by the fire in the lounge near the Amaretto Bar with a book and a coffee to savour the ambience.
As Phaedra tells me: “A lot of love went into the design of the hotel.”
And you feel that throughout.
“Our guests tend to be looking for a low-key break, they just want to relax and have a nice time,” she continues, “and we do all we can to make sure they enjoy a very personalised service.”
Mountain-inspired dishes
Dishes in the restaurants are similarly inspired by the mountains.
The Tour de Valais menu, served in the cosiness of The Wine Cellar, is specifically designed to showcase local cuisine. Expect to enjoy petite quiche with seasonal vegetables and goat cheese, onion consommé, and an Eringer beef fillet paired with Swiss wines. The weekly fondue and raclette nights are also a cheesy treat.
Restaurant manager Ronald Exenberger tells us: “About 80% of our wines are from the region and the rest are from not too far away beyond that.”
The Capra was recently recognised with two Michelin Guide Keys for its food at The Wine Cellar and Brasserie 1809 (named thus as it sits at 1809m above sea level). I particularly enjoyed the marinated salmon, an irresistible Swiss onion soup, and the crispy pork belly, from the brasserie menu, though the duck breast with beetroot, almonds and cherries was equally tempting.
Health and wellness
Wellness and wellbeing are important aspects of a stay at The Capra with the emphasis on individuality and treatments inspired by the Swiss resort region.
The sumptuous Peak Health Spa has a lovely indoor pool, a super warm outdoor hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam rooms with relaxation areas. It is so easy to spend hours in this part of the hotel.
I felt rejuvenated by the spa’s signature Forest Power body treatment which combines a pine needle scrub, honey and a Swiss Pine Wood vitality massage for the muscles, joints and relaxation.
Spa manager and yoga teacher Ann-Kathrin Brüggemeier, who has been with The Capra for two years after working all over the world as a personal trainer and wellness coach, says: “The Peak Health retreat philosophy is about people coming here to re-set themselves and where we tailor the treatments completely to the needs of the individual.”
Therapies can help with sleep, mental health issues, weight loss, fitness, muscle recovery and de-tox.
Ginger Hugo
Guests can choose from a range of 50 different therapies based on the pillars of muscle recovery, mental health, rejuvenation, sleep and relaxation and detoxing the body.
The hotel also offers Peak Retreats where full board stays include activities such as guided hikes, classes, meditation and yoga, alongside treatments.
Particular emphasis is placed on nutrition, integrating alpine medicinal plants (harvested in the nearby forests to treat inflammation, respiratory issues, insomnia and joint pain), traditional massage techniques, and aromatherapy.
“We also use honey from Saas Fee for treatment of the joints, inflammation, or sensitive skin,” she adds.
And after spending a lovely afternoon in the spa, perhaps after a morning on the slopes, the place to be is beside the fire in the lounge with a cocktail from the Amaretto Bar. I’ll have a Ginger Hugo please.
Mark Nicholls stayed at The Capra in Saas-Fee, less than three hours from Geneva and Zurich. See www.capra.ch for more details.
Flights: Swiss International Air Lines (www.swiss.com) fly from London Heathrow, London City, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Zurich or Geneva.
Travel Switzerland: The train runs from Geneva Airport to Visp and taxi transfer to Saas Fee, with Swiss Travel, see www.swisstravelpass.com
For more information: www.saas-fee.ch/en/
Lift pass: CHF 83 (one day), CHF 407 (six days).
Article written and photography by Mark Nicholls (Freelance Travel Writer)
www.mnmedia.co.uk X @marknicholls5
Other images courtesy of The Capra, Saas-Fee, PuzzleMedia, SaastalTourismus.
