Welcome to Chalet Eugenia – The Poshest in the Alps.

How do you imagine the chicest Chalet in the Swiss Alps, where Charles and Diana used to go on holiday, and that today has been restored to its original splendour?

I had heard a lot about Chalet Eugenia in Klosters, canton of Grisons, one of the best luxury ski chalets in Switzerland, and was very curious to see it. Recently I visited Davos for the  Spengler Cup and had the honour to be invited to stay at Chalet Eugenia overnight – this is a privately owned house, so I was delighted to have the chance to see it from inside.

Horses at Chalet Eugenia in Klosters

The first welcome of Chalet Eugenia is a beautiful gate – or, better, a sculpture – by Swiss artist Christian Bolt, representing four silver horses that literally give you the way to the house. No surprise here: the new owner of the Chalet Eugenia, Rolf Theiler (who bought the property from the son of the late Baroness Thyssen Bornamesza, Stephen Bentinck), is the founder of the largest and most lucrative indoor equestrian tournament in the world (the Mercedes-Benz CSI in Zurich) and, among other achievements, has won the European Championship for the Swiss National Team. He also used to own his own art gallery, so he is known for his deep love for horses and art. During my short stay at Chalet Eugenia Klosters I saw how close Rolf is to animals – he really loves them and they are a part of his life.

Chalet Eugenia’s Warm Interior

Who is behind the spectacular interior of the Chalet Eugenia?

South-African Fashion icon Gloria Theiler, Rolf’s wife, a beautiful brunette with sunny disposition who charmed me in less than 10 seconds with her warm, friendly manners, took the task of renovating the rooms of Chalet Eugenia Klosters. Having more than 30 years of experience in the fashion industry in her home country (she is the sister of well known South African Couturier Errol Arendz, with whom she founded their company, and was named best dressed in her home country numerous times), it was natural for her to have a vision about what the place should look like. She left the gorgeous, original features untouched:  the oak-beamed ceilings, the numerous fireplaces and the big balconies overlooking the fields and the summit of Mount Gotschna, stayed the way they were . All the antique furniture and art pieces (I once had a coffee and casually stumbled upon a Rodin sculpture!), also remained exactly how they were originally. Gloria’s objective after the norm of white walls in a chalet, was to introduce colour, beautiful fabrics & art to create warmth as well as enhance the original features, yet retain the intimacy of cosiness in a relaxed soulful energy all round!

I see every part of this house as a corner. Every corner of Chalet Eugenia Klosters is my favourite one, depending of my mood! It is important for me to experience soul satisfaction in whatever I do or where I find myself, says Gloria.

The Spa of Chalet Eugenia

Gloria also added a totally new part to the Chalet, a brand nwe SPA that makes you really wonder: is this a private home, or a boutique Hotel? The indoor heated pool and Jacuzzi are lit by LED lights that functions with colour therapy. During the day Chalet Eugenia‘s Spa there is no distraction: the view, mood & music or watching TV is what counts, while relaxing on the beds or having a swim. Their desire was not to build a pool…but rather to create a lounging space with the integration of water….Then of course there is a gym room, another room filled with Pilates equipment, a ski room with heated ski boot rack, massage room…every detail in Chalet Eugenia is thought of thoroughly.

Chalet Eugenia’s Garden

I am really no expert of gardens and don’t have all the numbers, but I can tell you that 85 old trees were flown in by helicopter to add depth and richness to the area around the chalet, and that all outdoor corners also have been used to either offer a summer comfort in the shade, or to enjoy the winter fireside outside around their african boma, amongst beautiful views all year round. Roaring fires are lit indoors and outdoors and an impressive sculpture by Christian Bolt, the Wildmändli, welcomes you in front of the Chalet Eugenia in Klosters.

The Pleasure of Being a Guest in one of the best luxury ski chalets

The night I stayed at Chalet Eugenia, we had a lovely evening talk in the living room – it really is the cosiest place on earth, and invites you to take time, forget your phone, open your heart and relax. Everybody was talking about past memories and future projects, and I alway appreciate these precious moments, when people slow down and connect.

The day after, at breakfast, I expected a nice choice of food, of course. Something like bread and jam and a good coffee. But Gloria surprised me once again and presented me with an incredibly inviting table of gourmet choices (and fresh flowers and decorations) that could have been synonymous with a 5 star hotel. Freshly made fruit and vegetables juices, home-made birchermuesli, a gourmet selection of sweet and savoury…I was impressed. It’s difficult to describe how at ease I felt, also because the ambience at Chalet Eugenia Klosters is so luxurious, that it could be easily accused of being “too rich”, and intimidating. However one wants to judge this, I really loved being a warmly welcomed guest, and to see how every detail had been taken care of, with passion and attention. I believe that beauty – in every form (fashion, art, nature, and so on) – is a value to treasure, and should be found every day, in as many ways as possible.

Thank you Rolf and Gloria for the wonderful break at Chalet Eugenia – I’m looking forward to your next projects!