The Cambrian

Class: First

Style: Cutting edge

Rooms: 71

Nothing against the chocolate-box chalets, but we’re glad to see more and more Swiss hotels embracing modern architecture and design. There’s something satisfying about the way a crisp modernist interior amplifies the drama of the high Alpine landscape. So there’s plenty to love about the Cambrian’s thoroughly contemporary look, from the rich oiled hardwoods to the custom-made furnishings to the views from the balconies, which are near-universal.

The location is the Alpine resort village of Adelboden — what it lacks in name recognition it makes up for in proximity to Berne (under an hour) and general euphoniousness. In fact its relative obscurity is one of its strengths: there’s more real Swiss life here than in some of the glossier resorts.

Which makes for a slightly more relaxed scene at the Cambrian, a hotel that’s swanky enough to fit in just about anywhere. It’s no less chic than its competitors anywhere else in Switzerland but it’s anything but pompous. The hotel has the ski-resort basics covered, from ski facilities to pools to the stylish little spa, and the Italian restaurant is an appealing après-ski venue. And the skiing itself is world-class — again, it’s not as famous as some more glamorous destinations, but one gets the impression they’d prefer to keep it that way.