Inside the Alpine 007 hideaway with a licence to thrill


TAKE a look inside the Swiss mountain hideaway that has a licence to thrill – the 007 pod that’s an oh oh heaven home suite home.

Part of the Whitepod eco-luxury hotel complex 1,400 metres up in the Valais, it’s kitted out with more mod cons that Q might muster.

And the view from the ‘Bond Girl’ bed – that’s the hotel’s description – is to die for.

Inside the pod, the decor is 007 chic, with sleek black and white lines, including artwork from the famous opening credits.

There’s even a reclining chair Ernst Stavro Blofeld would love. Where’s that damn cat? Hard to see in the snow…

There’s an iPad Pro loaded with Netflix, a Nespresso coffee machine, and a large terrace with stunning Swiss Alpine views.

The 007 pod boasts the king-sized bed, a private sauna, luxury shower bathroom, air conditioning and a pellet stove.

Breakfast is served to your pod each morning, and the deal includes minibar wine and local drinks.

You can dine in style at Les Cerniers restaurant, which specialises in traditional, yet refined, cuisine with daily specials, mountain dishes during the winter or spit-roasted specialties served on the terrace all through the summer.

If all that leaves you shaken, not stirred, then the hotel offers all manner of alternatives, each with its own themed interior.

Eighteen pods include ‘Cosy’ (a king-size bed plus an extra bed on the mezzanine), ‘Family’ (with a two-child bed on the mezzanine) and ‘Deluxe’ (an extra bed on the mezzanine, breakfast delivered, TV, minibar with free drinks, Nespresso machine and a massage available in your pod).

But it’s the suites that steal the show, each with private sauna, air conditioning, bathroom with walk-in shower, unlimited minibar and Nespresso coffee.

Very different from the 007 Pod Suite is the Swiss Pod Suite, which is filled with old wood furnishings and a four-poster bed complete with cowbells. Of course, it is.

The Forest Pod Suite, meanwhile, has a four-poster bed made with birch trees and even a hammock – it’s like living in the forest, looking out on the Alps.

Last, but certainly not least, the Zen Pod Suite boasts a restful and contemplative Japanese atmosphere, with simple elegance design for relaxation.

What sets Whitepod apart, other than its remarkable pods, is its location and green credentials.

Far from the madding crowds, you find yourself in an unspoiled spot at the heart of the Swiss Alps. There are no noisy bars, no busy streets. Everything here is utterly still.

Limited transport in the camp means that you have to walk from reception to your pod. This is part of the Whitepod experience, just like walking in a silent forest.

Night lighting is limited too, so watch for starry skies, and the colour of the pods is adapted to each season: they’re white in winter, green in summer.

The use of energy and water is controlled. Waste is recycled. Ingredients are purchased locally. The staff live nearby and simply walk to work.

But if you really want to get out and about, then free equipment on hire includes snowshoes, hiking sticks, ski and snowboard gear, Snowscoots, sleds and outdoor games.

Activities available at extra cost include wine tours, Alpine hikes, husky hiking, dog sledding, forest walks, e-bike rental, paragliding, caving, a forest escape game, massage and holistic therapies.

Whitepod is open in Winter from mid-December until the beginning of April, with a Summer Season from the end of May to mid-October. Rates per pod start from CHF 295 (£228). The 007 Pod Suite starts from CHF 755 (£585). See www.whitepod.com.

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