Silver Swan Blogger Holly McQueen has been lucky enough to
go and stay in a luxury ski chalet in Zermatt, best of all she was able to
experience the level of service provided by the staff and taste the food
prepared each evening by the chef.
Below is an interview with Holly – any applicants looking
for work with Silver Swan may find this interesting in preparation for any
interviews/ job placements:
Where did you stay?
I stayed in Chalet Les Anges in Zermatt, Switzerland
And what staff were included in the chalet?
Chef, Manager, Host and housekeeper – normally in these
luxury chalets you receive a chauffeur also, Zermatt is a completely car free
resort, therefore any guests wishing to head into town on an evening or wanting
to be taken to the slopes need to get an electric taxi. Don’t worry though –
the staff with be able to organise this for you.
Which staff did you meet first and what were your first
impressions?
I arrived by train into Zermatt where Charlotte, the resort
manager greeted me, she was waiting with a sign with my name on it, she then
took my luggage (a cabin bag on wheels which I had no problem ‘wheeling’
however – guests staying in a luxury chalet need not lift a finger) we then
walked outside where the Electric Taxi was waiting for us. We chatted casually
until we reached the chalet, from there I was greeted by Alex, the chalet
manager, Alex whisked my luggage away (which magically appeared in my room
seconds later) my shoes were taken and placed in the built in shoe cupboard and
replaced by slippers, Kate, the host was then standing with a chilled glass of
champagne. It seemed like a seamless procedure for the staff of Chalet Anges,
before I had even looked up and entered the main body of the chalet I was
relaxed and refreshed with a glass of bubbles in one hand.
What happened next?
Next – I was ushered to my room where Alex (the chalet
manager) ran through the details of how to work the Ipod docking system and in
house entertainment (it would have been more worthwhile on instructions on how
to use the shower personally, there were jets coming from every angle!!) There
was a welcome letter on the puff along with information of the area, service
included in the chalet; laundry, wake up calls, beauty treatments, dining
arrangements – basically everything you need to know before even releasing you
need to know it!! I was then told that dinner would be served shortly and to
make my way to the living room for drinks and canapés.
And how was the evening service?
Again seamless, the canapés kept coming, the champagne was
always topped up without realising it had been and when seated for our evening
meal, still and sparkling water was served (in which the staff made a mental
note that I preferred sparkling as I never got asked again – likewise that I
prefer red to white wine AND that I don’t accept side bread with my meals)
To be honest it was like the staff anticipated each of my
moves and requests before I did, they were there when you needed them but they
weren't intrusive, the perfect balance.
Apart from the service of each meal, was there anything else
which impressed you/ stood out?
On Tuesday we went on a long hike through the valley, on
what would in a few weeks’ time be covered in snow and looking more like pistes
than hiking trails. We planned to stop for lunch in a lovely little mountain
restaurant so was surprised when I saw Angeline (chef) and Kate (host) at the
bottom of the Sunnegga Lift with a bench covered in animal furs, champagne on a
silver service tray and the BBQ fired up!! It seems like the staff decided to
create ‘pre lunch canapés’ and aperitifs, this was a lovely lovely surprise,
canapés included Scallops, Bubble and Squeak and Froie
Gras, Chicken Satay and Prawns with a citrus mayonnaise – lovely. They
really did create the ‘WOW’ factor.
So overall is there anything else you would have expected
from a 5* chalet team of staff?
No – everything was just right.
Do you know what training the staff had before working in
Les Anges?
I know that Charlotte (resort manager) has completed a few
seasons previous with the chalet company along with another season in different
resort, Kate and Alex I believe had run a water sports centre for 4 years and
the chef was actually the executive chef and managing director – so we got a
treat being served by her – needless to say, Angeline has many years of
experience within the industry.
We hope this has helped set the scene for life in a chalet,
what is expected, what staff do to go that extra mile and previous experience.
If you have any questions please contact Silver Swan, like wise for any current
positions –
please click here:
Written by Silver Swan Blogger, Holly McQueen @
http://hollsblogspot.blogspot.co.uk/
