Resting Banker Girl and Her Mountain Men
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In summer, a girl’s natural instinct is to pack a bikini and sarong and follow those surfer boys. Given that Ms R is Australian and Resting Banker Girl (RBG) is from New Zealand this would make sense.
If life made sense however, women would look in the mirror before purchasing leggings, men would realise only Italians can get away with deck shoes, and Bono would shut up.
Nonetheless it was with some excitement that Ms R and RBG headed for Switzerland and Adelboden where they were to experience mountain life at the Solis Cambrian Hotel and Spa in the Bernese Oberland. RBG took the wheel in Zurich and proceeded to gun the car through the endless Swiss tunnels leaving Ms R feeling dizzy and confused.
"Gosh," I said, "This must be how 95% of people feel every day of their lives."
Adelboden defiantly prides itself on Not Being St Moritz and therefore attracting normal, sane people. In winter it offers World Cup Skiing and in summer, spectacular scenery and walks, and though in a valley, delivers a stonking 12 hours of sunshine in early summer.
"That’s more than we get in the UK all year," said RBG. "Good thing I brought three bikinis."
We arrived at the hotel to be greeting by a young man who was immediately apologetic for not having our booking in the system. A few nervous moments later it was found and we were shown to our room. The hotel itself is a modern conversion of an older building, furnished in chic designer chocolate (except for the net curtains on the windows which it really doesn’t need.)
Ms R’s previous experience of the Swiss has been on several visits to Zurich, which, as many banking types will know, is not so laid back. The Solis hotel, however, is and guests are quietly encouraged to treat it like a home, helping themselves to books, games and cake in the afternoon. Once you pass the front desk the first time, they seem to know exactly who you are and don’t ask. The other guests were mostly couples and families who were here for the air, the heated outdoor pool with its spectacular view of the mountains - and the walks. Like much of Switzerland Adelboden attracts seasoned walkers and climbers with challenging routes. For those of more delicate and urban disposition, there are the so-called 'easy' routes.
We’d taken a cable car up to a further valley where the air rang with the sound of cowbells as Daisy and her happy cow friends munched fresh grass. Sitting on a rock eating vast amounts of chocolate ("We are technically Hiking," said RBG), it was rather idyllic and feral London seemed a universe away.
Mindful that Ms R has a record of accidents when travelling, RBG had chosen the 'easy' route down by the waterfall. Personally I could see nothing easy in two hours walking on rocks and running water until she pointed out the path for Blonde, Cool People. Looking down we observed young perfectly formed Swiss families dancing the vertiginous path, which appeared to have no hand holds whatsoever. RBG was in love. “I want a man like that,” she said watching a handsome blonde daddy with one baby in his backpack guide his tribe of Heidi children up the kind of track which would ring Major Alarm Bells in Health-and-Safety-mad UK. RBG does not like 'skinny English blokes' as she puts it. Enough said.
As well as able Swiss men, the rest of the view was exquisite. We walked down next to the waterfall, the town of Adelboden below us, under a beautiful blue sky. That night we had a faultless dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, where everyone had that rosy glow of people who have been Outside. The town itself is quiet and aside from hotel restaurants, there is very little nightlife. The hotel’s shelves are stocked with cool design books and games, and you can borrow DVDs from the front desk. Of course this is also had a spa and a rather nice one too. As well as the outdoor pool, there is a larger indoor one for swimming and some lovely treatments on offer.
It's all very chilled and relaxing, and a perfect place to either snuggle away with a pal or lover, or take the family for a sand-free, stress-free holiday.
Nonetheless it was with some excitement that Ms R and RBG headed for Switzerland and Adelboden where they were to experience mountain life at the Solis Cambrian Hotel and Spa in the Bernese Oberland. RBG took the wheel in Zurich and proceeded to gun the car through the endless Swiss tunnels leaving Ms R feeling dizzy and confused.
"Gosh," I said, "This must be how 95% of people feel every day of their lives."
Adelboden defiantly prides itself on Not Being St Moritz and therefore attracting normal, sane people. In winter it offers World Cup Skiing and in summer, spectacular scenery and walks, and though in a valley, delivers a stonking 12 hours of sunshine in early summer.
"That’s more than we get in the UK all year," said RBG. "Good thing I brought three bikinis."
We arrived at the hotel to be greeting by a young man who was immediately apologetic for not having our booking in the system. A few nervous moments later it was found and we were shown to our room. The hotel itself is a modern conversion of an older building, furnished in chic designer chocolate (except for the net curtains on the windows which it really doesn’t need.)
Ms R’s previous experience of the Swiss has been on several visits to Zurich, which, as many banking types will know, is not so laid back. The Solis hotel, however, is and guests are quietly encouraged to treat it like a home, helping themselves to books, games and cake in the afternoon. Once you pass the front desk the first time, they seem to know exactly who you are and don’t ask. The other guests were mostly couples and families who were here for the air, the heated outdoor pool with its spectacular view of the mountains - and the walks. Like much of Switzerland Adelboden attracts seasoned walkers and climbers with challenging routes. For those of more delicate and urban disposition, there are the so-called 'easy' routes.
We’d taken a cable car up to a further valley where the air rang with the sound of cowbells as Daisy and her happy cow friends munched fresh grass. Sitting on a rock eating vast amounts of chocolate ("We are technically Hiking," said RBG), it was rather idyllic and feral London seemed a universe away.
Mindful that Ms R has a record of accidents when travelling, RBG had chosen the 'easy' route down by the waterfall. Personally I could see nothing easy in two hours walking on rocks and running water until she pointed out the path for Blonde, Cool People. Looking down we observed young perfectly formed Swiss families dancing the vertiginous path, which appeared to have no hand holds whatsoever. RBG was in love. “I want a man like that,” she said watching a handsome blonde daddy with one baby in his backpack guide his tribe of Heidi children up the kind of track which would ring Major Alarm Bells in Health-and-Safety-mad UK. RBG does not like 'skinny English blokes' as she puts it. Enough said.
As well as able Swiss men, the rest of the view was exquisite. We walked down next to the waterfall, the town of Adelboden below us, under a beautiful blue sky. That night we had a faultless dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, where everyone had that rosy glow of people who have been Outside. The town itself is quiet and aside from hotel restaurants, there is very little nightlife. The hotel’s shelves are stocked with cool design books and games, and you can borrow DVDs from the front desk. Of course this is also had a spa and a rather nice one too. As well as the outdoor pool, there is a larger indoor one for swimming and some lovely treatments on offer.
It's all very chilled and relaxing, and a perfect place to either snuggle away with a pal or lover, or take the family for a sand-free, stress-free holiday.
Here Is The Writer : Ms Robinson
Ms Robinson was once a copywriter who wrote award winning ads and had eight hour lunches. Weary of the sex, glamour and lavish parties, she switched to corporate communications where she held the hands of executives and banned them from writing this execrable sentence: "In this ever changing world, the only constant is change itself." These days she writes for an increasing variety of people and has ghostwritten several books but if she told you who for, she'd have to kill you. Click here to read her blog, Woman of Experience.
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