Digital detox for stressed city dwellers

In 1964, Sean Connery (1930-2020) chased the villain Goldfinger through the Furka Pass: James Bond with Aston Martin and Goldfinger with Rolls-Royce. Even today, superclass cars buzz over the once sleepy little mountain village of Andermatt UR. They usually stop in front of the luxury hotel The Chedi.

I came from Zurich by train. With a bobble hat on my head, a suitcase and no make-up, I’m ready to dive into the resort’s spa world. The sophisticated Bond girl looks different. We are in the heart of Switzerland at an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level. I am surrounded by fresh air, tranquility and an imposing mountain world. I step into some kind of big chalet – only here a porter takes my suitcase from me and the lady at the reception gives me some kind of chocolate to taste. «Made by in-house confectionery.» A 3.5-ton Swarovski crystal chandelier hangs above the reception desk.

A weekend without a cell phone?

To warm up with a cup of tea and read about Andermatt’s history, I retreat to one of the velvet loungers in the lobby bar: After the army left part of the way, the village in the Ursen valley fell into a downright depression. There was no business and attractive offers as a tourist destination. From 2005 the story is like a fairy tale: Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris (65) comes to Andermatt and decides to implement a mega tourism project there. Chedi will open in 2013 and means temple in German. The investor was inspired by this. Surrounded by an audacious combination of Asian flair and Swiss chalet chic: lots of local wood, an impressive ski collection – a model by Beat Feuz (35) – three-metre-high ceilings, granite prayer columns and Buddha statues. Unlike the chedi in Oman, which develops a more opulent ambiance, the local hotel exudes a zen ambiance and relaxed elegance. I’m here to take a look at the hotel’s digital detox program. If you have the courage, you can leave your mobile phone and similar items at the reception.

In my room (55 square meters) I find slippers size 37 – my size! – and a box with a face mask, serum and assorted teas. My partner is very enthusiastic about the iPad – hello again digital world, you can never escape it completely! For example, you can make the sound of the fire in the fireplace louder by gently touching the tray with your finger. A massage appointment was reserved for me. But before that, I’ll take a shortcut to the wellness area. In the spa filled with rocks and wood elements, I feel grounded after just a few minutes. Then therapist Zuzana awaits me with hot towels for my Tata Harper Detox Body Massage. “This helps flush toxins and other impurities from the body that are responsible for cellulite, water retention, muscle tension, and other common skin issues.” The pressure eases my tension, I feel like a new person after spending an hour at Zuzana’s hands.

Kitchen in its own class

Then at The Restaurant (14 Gault Millau points), we watch how Asian and European dishes are prepared in the four studio kitchens. The menu offers refined vegetarian and vegan dishes – this is not always the case – as a vegetarian I unfortunately know from experience. As appetizers we have vegan tartare with basil cream, crostini with elderberry and toasted pumpkin, and truffle brie with birch chutney. Yummy! The sommelier offers the right wine for every meal – thanks to him, Chedi won the year’s best wine list award for the fourth time in a row. The finale of the evening comes in the form of dessert: Warm shock sauce drips from the chocolate ball on my plate until it starts to crumble.

Back in our room, I walk to the oriental sitting area in the living room and look forward to the flickering fireplace and a hot cup of tea. But the heater is on strike. Disappointed – at least we saved gas in times of energy shortages. The next morning, in my comfortable bathrobe, I cross the natural stone floor and step into the tub. Before me is the view of the mighty mountains of Uri. Wrapped in a bubble bath, slowly relaxing, the hustle and bustle of daily life in Zurich seems far away. I’m nostalgic when I debut – I’d love to spend one more night here. As a farewell gift, I’m getting an assortment of our own teas. This hopefully takes the feeling of digital detox at home a little further.

This post was created as part of a press tour.