The Cambrian: Bunny’s Review of the Boutique Hotel in Adelboden
Bunny recently visited Switzerland in the off-season, at the end of October. It was too late to go hiking in the high mountains at that time of the year but it was also too early to go skiing. Many, if not most, nice hotels in the mountains were closed.
Nevertheless, Bunny was eager to get a little taste of the mountains so she searched for a nice boutique hotel, which would have an indoor pool and a nice view of the mountains in case the weather would not cooperate during her visit.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith hotels seemed to offer a perfect solution to Bunny’s little dilemma: The Cambrian in Adelboden. It fit the bill on paper, so Bunny decided to head there for a weekend to check it out.
Instagram Perfect
The Cambrian is approximately 2h 40 minutes drive from Geneva. Not exactly next door but not too taxing a drive either. The closer Bunny got to Adelboden, the nicer the scenery became.
The Cambrian is located in the middle of sleepy Adelboden, right across the street from the bus station. It is easy to find but parking is a bit limited (18 CHF a day). The hotel is not particularly impressive from outside but it is a different story once you step inside the lobby.
The Cambrian is Instagram perfect. It has very stylish common areas, a real wood lit fireplace (to chase away the late October chill in the air), a billiard room, a library, a nice bar and a terrace from which to take in the gorgeous Alpine scenery.
The Deluxe Room South
Bunny often reserves the cheapest room type in any given hotel. This works out particularly well in higher-end establishments as Bunny is able to enjoy the common facilities at a more reasonable price. Plus, there is always the hope of an upgrade…
At The Cambrian, Bunny wanted to make sure that she would be able to enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery from her room and balcony, so she paid extra for a South-facing room. The rooms facing North also get some mountain scenery but the real show is definitely towards the South.
Bunny’s room was ready on arrival (well before the 3pm check-in time) and she was happy with her choice. Paying extra for the view was definitely worth it! The balcony with chairs and a small table gave a glimpse of the famous outdoor pool as well.
The room itself was quite sleek, except for the carpeting which Bunny loathes in any hotel. The furniture was modern, the bed comfortable and the bathroom spacious, with some nice toiletries.
The minibar in the room was empty and there were no coffee making equipment but Bunny managed without.
Very Good Facilities
For a small hotel, the Cambrian has excellent facilities.
Spa
The spa is very nice albeit quite small. It has a Finnish sauna, steam room, relaxation room, two swimming pools and some tea and snacks available at all times. Seating is a little limited when the spa is busy, particularly indoors. Unfortunately, the Bunnies did not have time to try out any of the treatments at the spa. Maybe next time.
Pools
There are two heated stainless steel pools at The Cambrian and both are gorgeous. The indoor pool was quiet and a bit chilly, so it was perfect for doing laps. The outdoor pool was Bunny’s favorite although it was more like a large jacuzzi. It gets crowded easily as it can comfortably accommodate only about 6-8 people at a time.
During their weekend, the Bunnies developed a routine where they enjoyed early morning dips in the outdoor pool. The pool opens at 8am and that is the time to go if you want the pool to yourself. Even Mr. Bunny was (for once) happy to wait for his morning coffee and enjoy the quiet time in the outdoor pool before breakfast. It was fascinating to lie in the warm water, watch the clouds rolling in, hide the mountains, and then expose them again seconds later. The pool’s water jets are on a regular cycle so you get a nice massage too whilst taking in the scenery.
The Bunnies also spent some magical moments in the outdoor pool in the evening with heavy snowflakes falling from the sky. No stars were visible because of the cloud cover but the mood was very atmospheric.
Gym
The Cambrian gym was small but perfectly laid out. It had a couple of ellipticals, a rowing machine, one running mat, free weights and yoga mats. Bunny had the gym all to herself when working out which is always a great plus in her eyes.
Excellent Breakfast
Breakfast in The Cambrian is served in a nice environment, with spacious seating, including tables overlooking the outdoor pool with views of the mountains.
The service at breakfast was very good. The coffee came quickly and the staff was very attentive. Bunny got her beloved decaf cappuccino so she was happy. The buffet included everything you could want for breakfast: fresh fruit and vegetables, bacon, cold cuts, salmon, eggs, good bread, cheese, yogurt with a selection of nuts, seeds etc. But no freshly squeezed orange juice, remarked the ever-critical Mr. Bunny.
Afternoon Tea
Bunny is a great fan of afternoon tea. She has indulged on luxurious afternoon tea moments in various locations around the world: in the UK, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Austria, Argentina…
When she noticed that The Cambrian offered this on Sundays, she immediately jumped on the opportunity. Mr. Bunny, a known connoisseur of all things cakes and cookies, was not exactly opposed either.
So the Bunnies parked themselves next to the cozy fireplace in the lounge and ordered their afternoon tea. Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication with the waiting staff first. Bunny felt like they weren’t overly understanding or helpful (somewhat of a Swiss trait, perhaps?) but thankfully the attitude improved.
The tea itself (from a nice selection) arrived too early and got a bit chilly before the food arrived. And then the sandwiches (Bunny’s favorite part!) came without cheese and the scones without cream. A major catastrophe, if you ask Bunny. Somehow the waiter had understood that the Bunnies were vegans. Oh no. Luckily the situation was quickly corrected and some lovely cheese and cream soon arrived. Bless the cows!
Despite the mishaps, the afternoon tea was a lovely experience; the bread, in particular, was delicious. The fire was lit and warm, snow storm raged outside and there were plenty of cakes to eat. For Bunny, it was a picture perfect late autumn scene.
Room Service
The Bunnies ordered room service twice during their weekend stay at The Cambrian. It was excellent! The in-room menu was almost exactly the same as in the hotel’s restaurant. To Bunny’s delight (and surprise), it included a lot of vegetarian options. The service was friendly and the food was delivered very quickly on both times.
Reasons why Bunny loves room service: no need to dress up, wash her fur or put on any makeup, can eat in bed in pyjamas. It really is the lazy Bunny’s best solution!
Cheese Fondue Is a Must
Bunny was determined to have cheese fondue while in Switzerland (how could you not?). The Cambrian didn’t offer any fondue but the staff recommended Alte Tavern restaurant, approximately a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
The Bunnies made a reservation and spent a very nice and cheesy (literally) Saturday evening at Alte Tavern. It was quiet (as was the whole of Adelboden during Bunny’s visit) and had a very interesting mix of traditional interior with some curious items thrown in (for example, a jukebox playing 1950s American music).
Most importantly, the cheese fondue was excellent! It is best enjoyed with local white wine with a hint of berries. It is definitely not a place for people on a diet though.
Bunny’s Minor Irritations
Bunny is easily irritated but rarely complains. But in The Cambrian, there was no need to. Sure, Bunny would have liked some spa bags in the room for transporting stuff to the spa more easily but she managed without.
Bunny had made her reservation at the Cambrian via Mr. and Mrs Smith website. As a bonus, she was entitled to a bottle of wine. This was promptly delivered to the room on the first day. Mr. Bunny’s eyes started to shine immediately. Unfortunately, the staff did not bring a corkscrew along with the complementary wine so it was a bit of a challenge before the wine could be properly enjoyed. But in the end, it was a glorious feeling to sip red wine on the balcony while admiring the magnificent view.
There were a couple of other things, such as the flatscreen TV, which, curiously, had no US or British news channels. The only TV channel in English was France 24. Well, who needs TV anyway with the great mountain display outside the windows and the facilities at your disposal...
Bunny’s Pet Peeve: The Laughter of Children
There were some families with children staying at the Cambrian at the same time as Bunny. Why-oh-why do they have to do this? The hotel is clearly not geared towards families. The clientele is mostly young(ish) couples on an indulgent break. There are very few facilities for children and kids are not allowed in the outdoor pool. And still the families come, determined to ruin the experience for other people and bunnies who have had the sense not to have any children, or who have been, at least, wise enough to leave them at home this time.
Bunny wishes the Cambrian was brave enough just to ban children altogether. Bunny is a very firm advocate of child-free hotels. It really does work out best for everyone, she thinks.
"Leave the children at home!"
Bunny’s Conclusion
If you are looking for a fabulous, affordable luxury weekend in Switzerland, The Cambrian might just be the place for you. The views are great, the service is very good and friendly, the spa is lovely (albeit a bit busy) and the food is very good, even for vegetarian bunnies. In addition, there are plenty of interesting things to do nearby: you can go hiking, skiing or indulge in fondue-eating extravagance and return to the wonderful heated outdoor pool at The Cambrian for an evening dip.
The BUT
Be warned that the hotel has gathered a substantial following on Instagram and that is reflected in the clientele and their behavior. You are never more than 10 metres from someone holding a smart phone and taking pictures. For example, during Bunny’s visit, a young couple was using a selfie stick to video their entire stay at The Cambrian. It got more than a little annoying.
The inevitable selfie frenzy is happening particularly in and around the outdoor pool. But who can blame them? It is a gorgeous.
