Our ski expert Andy spent a couple of days skiing in Cervinia earlier this season and was delighted with the Hermitage Hotel & Spa, the fantastic pistes and the fine dining. Read his insider tips on why he recommends skiing in Cervinia.
From the distance Cervinia looks like towering 70’s blocks, but when you’re walking down the lit-up main high street it’s rather more intimate. There are a fantastic range of restaurants and lively bars that are within a short walking distance of each other. The skiing is well suited to beginners and intermediates in Cervinia, but the connection with Zermatt opens up more terrain. Although, Cervinia does suffer from being quite windy at times, which in turn leads to the connecting lifts closing. There is also some fantastic off-piste skiing, but there aren’t tree lines it’s best explored with a ski guide.
Where to stay?
I stayed at the traditional Hermitage Hotel & Spa, which has charming interiors and is run by the Neyroz family. The sitting rooms are warm and vibrant with velvet sofas, open fires and windows overlooking the mountains. They have a mix of traditional and modern rooms, so you can choose based on your preference. The wellness centre has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and treatment rooms as well, so you can unwind here before dinner.
Another option is the characterful Hotel Grivola, an artistic boutique choice. The owner’s abstract, modern artworks are dotted through the hotel, particularly in the dining room. On the main street and a couple of minutes to the lifts, it has great location. The hotel also has two restaurants, the ground floor bar-restaurant is open the public and quite traditional, while the other is the sleek, upmarket restaurant for guests. I really liked the hotel.
Where to eat?
I was fortunate to be well looked after, so I didn’t eat outside of the hotels. I was recommend the Copa Pan and Wood Restaurant in town, and we ate at lunch at the White Angel. The bar menu and was excellent, and reasonably priced at €18 for steak and chips. La Chandelle at the Hermitage was superb with a great choice of dishes. The wine list was expensive, but there were plenty around the €30-40 mark, mainly local wines. The Aosta whites are great value and delicious.
My highlights
Our evening in the Hermitage. We were served aperitivo and local wines in the bar, then a four-course dinner with wines chosen by the sommelier. We finished the evening with a digestif by the fire. The staff were brilliant and so accommodating.
To find out more please speak to Andy on 0207 471 7700.
