Nestled amidst the pristine beauty of the Swiss Alps, W Verbier stands as an epitome of modern luxury and alpine charm. As a distinguished member, among the TOP 100 Hotels and Resorts of the World in 2023, this avant-garde hotel offers a seamless blend of cutting-edge design, unparalleled service, and breathtaking panoramic views. With its sleek aesthetics and a commitment to providing an exclusive and immersive experience, W Verbier beckons discerning travelers to indulge in a world where alpine sophistication meets contemporary elegance. 

In today’s exclusive interview, Luxury Lifestyle Awards have the pleasure of conversing with Pierre-Henri Bovsovers, the General Manager of W Verbier, recently crowned among the TOP 100 Hotels and resorts of the World in 2023. Mr. Pierre-Henri Bovsovers himself has also been recognized among the TOP 100 Hotel General Managers of the World 2023.  

We’re excited to delve into the world of W Verbier with Mr. Bovsovers and explore what sets this hotel apart in the realm of luxury accommodations. 

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: It is an absolute pleasure to meet with you today Pierre-Henri. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. 

LLA: Congratulations on being named not only among the TOP 100 Hotels and Resorts of the World in 2023 but also among the TOP 100 Hotel General Managers of the World in 2023. What a remarkable achievement! Can you share with us the key principles and strategies you implement at W Verbier that contribute to this prestigious acknowledgment, ensuring an exceptional guest experience?

PHB: The most important thing to deliver unforgettable service to our guests is to take care of our associates. Also, one of my key principles is to always listen to the feedback of our guests and to create for them a memorable experience that they don’t find anywhere else. 

LLA: In your role as the General Manager of W Verbier, celebrated among the TOP 100 in the world, how do you personally ensure that the hotel not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its discerning clientele, delivering a level of service that sets W Verbier apart in the luxury hospitality landscape?

PHB: In our industry, it’s all about passion. My main focus is to lead with passion and to set an example for the team. We want our team to love its job and do it with passion. At W Verbier, we give service truly from the heart and our guests feel it and recognize it. They feel comfortable, at home. 

LLA: Can you share with us the unique features and experiences that make W Verbier stand out among the TOP 100 Hotels and Resorts of the World in 2023?

PHB: Our location is one of the most beautiful in the world, with more than 300 days of sun per year. The hotel is open all year round and we are very lucky as in Verbier every season is different, one more beautiful than the other. All year long, we offer our guests seasonal experiences to explore Verbier and make the most of a getaway in an alpine paradise. 

LLA: In what ways does W Verbier embrace the local culture and surroundings, offering a distinctive experience for guests looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Swiss Alps?

PHB: Our design is unique. From the outside, the hotel looks like a traditional alpine chalet. Inside, the design is daring; local materials such as wood and stone are fused with modern accents in the W Hotels’ style to create spaces that are spectacular to look at and divine to dream in.  

Our 123 stylish rooms and suites, each with a fireplace, Signature W bed, and a private balcony are perfect for an intimate gateway after an exhilarating day outside. The 6 W Residences, from two to three bedrooms all featuring a private kitchen, balconies, and lounge spaces are the best place to call home away from home. Many details in the hotel’s design remind Switzerland with a touch of red and Swiss crosses. 

Le Spa’s design is inspired by the mountain; it combines modernity, rusticity, and style to deliver the ultimate Alpine Spa experience.​ 

Our main restaurant, Bô! serves Signature Cuisine using local products with an international twist.  

LLA: Could you highlight some of the premium amenities and services that make a stay at W Verbier a truly luxurious experience for our audience?

PHB: In every room, guests can enjoy our premium amenities, such as a W bathrobe, and W slippers. They can cozy up to their own private fireplace and stretch out on the W signature bed featuring a pillow-top mattress, goose-down bedding, 350-thread-count cotton sheets, and W pillows. They can put their own on the Geneva® wireless sound system, tune in to the 42-inch flat-screen TV, or connect to the world via high-speed internet access. 

Whatever guests need to amp up their stay, from the Mountain Concierge in Winter to the Bike Concierge in Summer and the renowned Whatever/Whenever® service, the W Verbier team is available to make it happen 24/7. 

LLA: Considering the hotel’s recognition as one of the TOP 100, how does W Verbier prioritize sustainability and environmental consciousness in its operations?

PHB: Our work focuses on the environment and our communities and leverages our people, our brands, our relationships, and our global reach because we are uniquely equipped to help our associates and guests create a better world to experience.  

W Verbier has established an internal ‘Green Council’ which has focused on engaging and promoting green practices throughout the hotel. Here are some of our initiatives for sustainability: Water-saving aerators, energy-saving LED lighting in the guest rooms and public areas & movement detectors in the hotel corridors, waste separation, environment-focused purchase, preference of local suppliers, recycling discarded guestroom soaps to be redistributed to families in need, in collaboration with SapoCycle (www.sapocycle.org), use of recycling wood to heat the hotel. 

Verbier is located in an extraordinary natural environment, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and some of Europe’s most beautiful peaks.  

Unfortunately, the melting of glaciers is accelerating, particularly in the Swiss Alps. As the hotel industry is a major consumer of energy and water, W Verbier offers its guests the chance to take an active part in protecting the environment. 

Since November 2023, we launched our new environmental campaign called: MAKE A DIFFERENCE. The establishment invites all guests to refuse daily room cleaning and turndown service and have them substituted by a minimum daily room cleaning service. In return, the hotel is offering compensation of 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. 

LLA: What role does technology play in enhancing the guest experience at W Verbier, and how does the hotel incorporate cutting-edge innovations to stay ahead in the luxury hospitality industry?

PHB: We provide the most innovative technology. Guests can contact our team via the Marriot Bonvoy APP for any request they may have, before and during their stay; They can book their restaurant table, order in-room dining, for extra pillows, or anything they want us to deliver. 

We provide a keyless system allowing guests to open their doors with their mobile phones. 

LLA: W Verbier Hotel is known for its stylish design. How does the aesthetic of W Verbier contribute to the overall experience, and what design elements reflect the essence of luxury in your opinion?

PHB: W Verbier’s vibrant design draws its inspiration from the tracks left by skis in the fresh snow and the bike paths around the mountain. In collaboration with architects Stéphane and Vincent Luisier, Concrete, a design bureau from the Netherlands, succeeded in blending New York’s contemporary urban cool and traditional local elements. 

When you visit the hotel, you’ll discover and experience our unique design. Let yourself be charmed and blown away by the beauty of the place starting with the entrance, with its giant 6-meters fireplace. Walk towards the Living Room, where the cozy warmth of different types of wood, leather, and wool is mixed with an uber-cool glacier-inspired bar. Settle in the stunning Monumental Staircase with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley. Conquer the crimson tunnel to the U-Yama Sushi Bar, fall for the sublime Hispanic-inspired décor of the Eat-Hola, and the divine comfort of Bô! which is both intimate and open to enjoy the view. 

Wind down at LE SPA, where the journey takes you from the cubistic welcome area to the more intimate treatment rooms designed in black and soft gold. The pools will bring you under the starry sky of our mountains. Head back to your spacious and stylish room, where the alpine design is as playful and as extra functional as a Swiss knife. 

Don’t miss out on the hidden gems. Get inspired by 7 Swiss legends reinterpreted by Dutch photographer Marcel Van Der Vlugt and take selfies with pop-up art exhibitions. Take the time to soak in an unforgettable experience contrasting with the breathtaking scenery that W Verbier has in store for you behind every design element. 

LLA: Tell us about any exclusive events or partnerships that W Verbier engages in to offer guests unique and memorable experiences during their stay?

PHB: We have several partnerships with high-end lifestyle brands. Last year we had a collaboration with Giorgio Armani Neve, this year we host a Valentino pop-up in our monumental staircases. Our official car partner is Porsche Lausanne, we offer driving experiences to our guests. We also develop collaborations with luxury F&B brands to enhance the experience in our bars and restaurants. We create our treatment menu at LE SPA in partnership with two renowned Swiss beauty brands, Alpeor and Dr. Burgener. 

LLA: Given the hotel’s Alpine location, how does W Verbier provide a seamless blend of adventure and relaxation, catering to guests with diverse interests and preferences?

PHB: The surroundings are naturally beautiful and calm, we offer unique experiences to our guests, such as yoga sessions and private concerts. We help add a little extra with unique culinary experiences such as drinks at sunset around an ice bar or dining on a table carved in the snow. 

LLA: Can you share some insights into the culinary offerings at W Verbier, and how the dining experience contributes to the overall luxury experience for guests?

PHB: Open year-round, W Verbier offers its guests and visitors a wide range of culinary options. From the finest cocktails customized by the mixologists at W Living Room to a rewarding Après-Ski drink to the sound of the W Off Piste DJs, W Verbier has it all.  

Other limitless possibilities include a palette of flavors to explore with Signature Cuisine at Bô! authentic Japanese creations at U-Yama and Sergi Arola’s exclusive tapas at Eat-Hola. In summer, La Plage is the center–stage; Thrill-seeking mountain enthusiasts enjoy a white sandy outdoor spot surrounded by unparalleled views. 

Yearly event with Michelin stars chefs get together during Haute Cuisine culinary weekend. With this exceptional festival, W Verbier offers every year an event full of flavors, surprises, and culinary innovations. Each year, guests discover new concepts and new chefs to celebrate together the sharing of a common passion: gastronomy. 

LLA: Looking ahead, what priorities does W Verbier have after achieving the TOP 100 Honor in 2023, and how does the resort plan to leverage this prestigious recognition?

PHB: It is a great honor to receive these recognitions. It also means that we need to be even more attentive in delivering what we promise to our guests. Our teams will continue to work with passion and dedication in providing our guests with a memorable experience 

Read more about this exceptional luxury hotel nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Known for its breathtaking views, modern design, and top-notch amenities http://www.wverbier.com/