The Hotel Bella Tola, hidden away in the scenic Val d’Anniviers seems to me like a perfect fairyland. Deep in a majestic mountainous setting, it is an oasis of comfort and cosiness and feels like stumbling upon a scene out of Le Grand Meaulnes.
At night lit up with its lights reflecting off the snow it is completely magical. Inside the image continues and attention has been paid to every detail. Every bedroom is different and has quirks and individual features and the common areas provide both privacy and space. I first visited the hotel not long after Anne-Francoise and Claude Buchs had taken it over.
A classic 1850s stately building it was in need of repair and bit by bit the couple have lovingly restored it using thought and real design talent to make it unique, beautiful and run with Swiss efficiency. In the early days Anne-Francoise converted and sewed original velvet curtains to fit and covered ordinary dining chairs with delightful materials when there wasn’t enough money for big expenditures. Now it has a stunning spa and delicious restaurant. A perfect, romantic hideaway in a magnificent setting where terraces look onto a view of the Valois 4,000 metre peaks, surrounding the little village of St. Luc. It is rare to find so much originality in such a grand setting.
