The Cambrian – Spa in Adelboden is completely relaxed

I’m standing deep in the snow with my leather shoes. Who would have thought that after the spring-like weather of the last few weeks, winter would pick itself up again and cover Switzerland with a beautifully powdery blanket of snow towards the end of March. However, the snow comes just in time for us. We spend the weekend in one of my favorite winter spots. Adelboden attracts mostly Swiss holidaymakers in both winter and summer. I also have vivid memories of the place: of wild youth ski camps, of great winter days with friends, of hours of snowboarding next to the “Gran Masta” park to marvel at the cool boys and of first attempts at flirting in the Old Tavern. Adelboden is my piece of winter home in the Bernese Oberland.

Hello Mr. Winter

So it’s all the nicer that we’re returning to a snow-covered Adelboden this weekend. Although we are on the road without ski equipment, we get off at the bus stop Mineralquelle. We want to marvel at the white splendour from the gondola lift and have a coffee in the Sillerenbühl mountain restaurant. This short detour turns out to be a costly undertaking. Guests without skis must buy a day ticket for the mountain railways (there are no single trips). This means that you can use the gondola lift all day long (we have already done that in Adelboden) but you pay a proud 28 CHF (including discount GA travelcard).

The Cambrian: Where Design Meets the Mountains

The positive thing about this ticket is that we can also use the connecting lift from the Sillerenbühl valley station to Adelboden Dorf and thus reach our destination without much effort. The snow flurry and the poor visibility are an ideal excuse to enjoy Adelboden in a relaxed way. The perfect place for this is the Design Hotel The Cambrian, which is located right in the centre of Adelboden within walking distance of the mountain railways (Tschentenalp in the immediate vicinity). The stylish hotel, which opened its doors in 2007, holds some little secrets.

We first move into our light-flooded corner room. The view of the mountain panorama is impressive even in this gloomy weather. The room itself is comfortably furnished, but lacks a bit of cheekiness. This is set to change in the near future, as The Cambrian is constantly striving to develop further and create a unique oasis of well-being in the Bernese Oberland. We already feel “comfortable”. This is not difficult when chocolate is ready in the room and we have an afternoon full of moments of relaxation ahead of us.

Chillen im Spa vom The Cambrian

Following the request to “chill” in the room, we grab our bathrobe and head to the spa area of The Cambrian. We first jump into the heated outdoor pool and make ourselves comfortable on the bubble lounger. This outdoor pool also offers one of the best pool views around. The cloudy mountain slopes and the heavy snow flurry only give us an idea of how majestic the mountain panorama must be on clear, sunny days. We close our eyes, feel the cold snowflakes on our face and let ourselves drift peacefully in the warm water. The hustle and bustle of everyday life is completely erased from your thoughts at this moment.

In addition to the indoor and outdoor pool, the wellness area also offers a Finnish sauna, a steam bath, experience showers and Kneipp pools. After we have really sweated, we retreat to the loungers, marvel at the many fresh snow through the large windows and read through the gossip magazines. The Cambrian is rightly one of the top 20 wellness hotels in Switzerland. Such a spa afternoon helps to recharge your batteries for everyday life.

Tea time in Adelboden

For the rest of the afternoon, we’ll make ourselves comfortable in the conservatory, the heart of The Cambrian. The space is wonderfully welcoming. Large window fronts offer an unobstructed view of the Alpine panorama. Unfortunately we are 15 minutes late for the Traditional Cambrian Afternoon Tea which is served from 14:00 to 17:00. Too bad! It is no coincidence that such importance is attributed to afternoon tea here. The name “Cambrian” is derived from the Latin word for “Wales”. If you happen to be in Adelboden, take some time for afternoon tea. For 32 CHF per person, you will be spoiled with wonderful mini sandwiches, scones, Adelboden fruit bread and chocolate specialties. But even after 5:00 p.m. there are some highlights on the bar menu (including burgers :)). We order beer, a non-alcoholic “San Francisco” and an Adelbodner Plättli. Afterwards we snuggle up in the lounge chairs and let our minds wander.

In addition to the conservatory, the lobby also invites you to linger with a crackling fire. What I find remarkable here is the successful combination of dark slate floor and light wooden furniture.

Alpine Cuisine

We are hungry – thanks to crystal-clear mountain air, snow and wellness. But before we plunge headlong into the restaurant, let’s take a look at the newly designed “Club Rooms”, which serve as conference and workshop rooms or can be used for other group events. The design was done with a twinkle in the eye. The rooms contain great design details.

In the restaurant we are served the daily 4-course menu, which tastes excellent and convinces me due to the use of seasonal products. The four-course menu costs 89 CHF without wine accompaniment. À la carte menus can also be ordered.

The next morning we start well-rested with a rich breakfast and a view of the pool, where the first guests are already indulging in the early morning bubbling fun. The breakfast buffet is extensive and offers an exquisite selection of regional cheeses and fresh, seasonal fruits. It’s hard to believe that a few hours later I’ll be back in the office in the middle of the city – this is a daydream come true.

The Cambrian presents a successful blend of modern design, British chic and alpine roots. In order to continue to offer guests a unique experience in the Alps in the future, a number of projects are planned. The aim is to set even more outstanding accents in and around the hotel. We are excited and looking forward to the next break in the beautiful Bernese Oberland.

Information and tips about The Cambrian in Adelboden

• The daily rates for a deluxe room start at 290 CHF / night – here you can find current spring offers
• The winter season in the Silleren-Hahnenmoos area lasts until 21 April – the snow conditions are phenomenal!
• On the Englistenalp (great for spring skiing), the lifts are even open until 4 May.
• In summer, there are more than 320 km of hiking trails to discover around Adelboden. Many of these trails can also be ridden by mountain bike.

Note: My stay in Adelboden was supported by The Cambrian – thank you very much for this. As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm here.