Hip Chalets Alpine Holidays

Lovers of the Alps have warmed to the character of a Hip Chalets’ holiday, with its unique mix of chic properties and all-embracing service

Take a former British number one free ride skier (him), add in an ace Swedish rock-climbing champion (her), mix in a dash of art and interior design inventiveness (him) and oodles of down-to-earth business acumen (her) and you start to see why Hip Chalets stands more than a ski helmet higher than anything else on the piste.

Jamie Strachan and Julia Bergklint are him and her. Partners in life and founders of Hip Chalets. Together they radiate energy, ideas and a pioneering mindset, as well as an unshakeable sense of fun, which is something that has been evident since their first days of providing luxurious chalet holidays in Chamonix, back in 2006.

Their roster of properties is hugely impressive. They are part of the scenery in their beloved Chamonix, where repeat business to their chalets is the norm. Guests unfailingly enjoy everything from the style and comfort of the accommodation to the service provided by their resort team, who have the uncanny knack of anticipating every need and whim of their clients.

Where you might expect to see the stuffiness and formality that can be prevalent in high-end destinations, at Hip you’ll find a relaxed setting that promotes a feel-good ambience that spreads like wildfire through a chalet group. Whilst the properties have a dazzling style, they are there to be mooched through, used and enjoyed.

“If we are not providing an environment that promotes laughter, smiles and lifetime memories, then we would be failing our clients,” explains Julia Bergklint.

BRIGHT FUTURE
The future for Hip is very much on an upward trajectory. The company has branched out into Verbier with a stunning palette of six chalets that have already been the subject of rave reviews. The individuality of the chalets sets them apart, each one framed in an entrancing style that belies the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. With other properties in Davos, Klosters and Val D’Isere the business has forged a reputation as one of the shrewdest operators in the Alps.

As well as bringing further chalets on stream, Jamie and Julia are now looking to extend the Hip brand in other directions, seeing many areas in which they can unleash their creativity. The first of these will be in a collection of bathroom products that will reflect the panache of the chalets.

“We spend huge amounts of time churning through ideas,” said Julia. “Once we find something that feels right, matching coolness with practicality, Jamie translates this into an exploratory design and we then look at all the commercial aspects that surround it. We are very excited about our departure into the bathroom!”

With an expected launch date of mid-Spring these new products could well be the first of many fascinating new excursions for Hip Chalets. They may even clean up.

For more information please call +44 (0) 1451 489 001 or visit www.hipchalets.com