Rent Richard Branson’s private chalet in the Swiss Alps

Sir Richard Branson’s luxury private chalet, The Lodge, in the mountain village of Verbier in the Swiss Alps, opened in 2007, and is part of the luxury collection of properties from Virgin Limited Edition that are dotted around the planet. In December, The Lodge is reopening for the winter season until the end of April 2021, if all goes well.

Its re-opening coincides with the relaxation of Switzerland’s quarantine conditions from almost all countries, meaning travelers no longer need to quarantine on arrival, leaving plenty of opportunity to enjoy the slopes and some much-needed fresh Swiss mountain air. At least you’ll be outdoors a lot, which is safer.

Perched high in the Swiss Alps, and complete with nine stunning bedrooms and suites, an indoor pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a spa and a friendly team of experienced staff including Michelin-star trained chefs, The Lodge is an alpine paradise and ideal for the ultimate luxury ski vacation.

Christmas card-pretty Verbier includes 121 miles of marked pistes of all standards, with 38 ski lifts, and pistes and guides for every skill level. There are many restaurant options to satisfy your every taste bud, and an extremely fun, international crowd, apres-ski and nightlife, full of hot people. (If you don’t know about this place, Farm Club, it’s in its 50th year and open from 11 a.m. until four in the morning. Getting home in the snow is guaranteed to be fun.)

With the option to book The Lodge exclusively, it offers the perfect winter escape. Exclusive use rates, of nine rooms, accommodating up to 18 guests, start from CHF 150,000 (that’s a cool $164,198) for a 7-night stay and, subject to availability, are valid for arrivals from December 13, 2020 – April 11, 2021 — just in time to return to the U.S. to file your taxes.

For the first time The Lodge will also be introducing new rates for smaller groups (Whoopie! Bargain time!), offering the option to book up to six rooms from only CHF 110,000 ($120,412), or just four rooms at CHF 90,000 (a mere pocket change $98,520! Ha! If you have to ask…) for a seven-night stay, whilst still having exclusivity of The Lodge. Stays of three or four nights will also be possible for select dates in the season. They’re probably giving those away…

All rates are inclusive of luxury accommodation, all meals, all drinks, including an apparently top-quality wine list and “house champagne,” plus a dedicated team, inclusive of a driver service within Verbier, plus all local taxes. We here at WONDERLUST have a pretty solid maxim: Beware “House Champagne” — some call us snobs, some call to thank us… Just passing that along.

Ashley Walker, General Manager at The Lodge commented: “While The Lodge has been temporarily closed, there has been an enormous amount of work behind the scenes to ensure we are in the very best position to welcome back our guests with meticulous safety and hygiene measures, ensuring complete peace of mind and trust in everything we do. 

“Verbier will still very much be open.” 

Note: Verbier is great, and there are other, slightly more reasonable options for a great stay. OK, a lot more reasonable! 

Maybe try negotiating with the Lodge? It’s an extraordinary place but, I mean, seriously, how many people are going to grab it at $200,000 a week? 

For bookings call U.S. Sales and Reservations Executive:

Grace Park in New York: +1 212 994 3070

Anisha Kishore in London: +44 (0) 208 600 0476

Inquiries: enquiries@virginlimitededition.com

(US dollar conversions are based on time of publishing)