With its futuristic facade shaped like a golden egg, the InterContinental Davos was opened in December 2013. The hotel is set in the spectacular Swiss ski resort of Davos. With several hundred gold-colored bands of steel the new hotel is an architectural stunner. Come check it out (video review)!
The spectacular facade was designed by German architects Oikios. When conceiving the highly complex exterior facade consisting of more than 60.000 steel elements the Munich-based architects explored the very boundaries of architectural possibilities!
Ok – admittedly, you first have to get used to this new golden-colored egg mega structure amidst the picturesque mountain landscape. I guess it will be your individual taste to decide if you like the building or not. All the more we were very anxious to see the interior.
In 80 seconds around Davos’ golden egg
The lighting concept
The most fascinating sculpture capturing our attention was the wave chandelier consisting of more than 1,000 hand-blown glass spheres! Just awesome! This innovative and creative chandelier was designed by Moritz Waldemeyer, an internationally renowned designer based in London. Congratulations! Very well done!
The lighting concept is also outstanding in other areas of the hotel, though. Apparently light has much more than a functional task at the golden egg. Many of the lamps are masterpieces in themselves!
Oh, and by the way… the hotel also features a Kids & Teens Club (with its own cinema and pool-billiard!), an elegant sports shop as well as extensive conference facilities and state-of-the-art technology equipment. They go into full glory during the annual WEF economic forum meeting.
Modern rooms and suites
The guest rooms are a mixture of modern design and sleek decor. The 216 well-appointed and spacious rooms come with high quality materials, hardwood floors and a seating area purpose-built by Ligne Roset.
Congratulations to the interior architects of Living Design, Sweden! We were impressed with the functionality in the rooms – which is not always the case when visiting design hotels…
The rooms boast balconies with breathtaking panoramic views of Davos – if it’s not foggy, that is!
Bars and Restaurants
Also from a gastronomical standpoint, the InterContinental Davos has a lot on offer; you can choose from three different restaurants including “Studio Grigio”, a gourmet restaurant; Matsu, a Far East experience; and Capricorn which serves regional dishes.
“Studio Grigio”, the top-floor gourmet restaurant offers a great view and boasts a stylish cocktail- and smokers lounge. Unfortunately it was closed during our stay (off season).
Hence we had dinner at the “Capricorn” restaurant enjoying an “Aged Beef entrecôte” with seasonal vegetables and a potato gratin. Yummy! Again, the ambience at the restaurant is very elegant with a combination of light and dark panelled wood. The staff is very attentive and friendly!
Watch out, though … the menu prices are quite steep and comparable with the high prices you pay in say Zurich. However, it’s a one-and-only treat…
The InterContinental Alpine Spa
The spa offers an outdoor pool, steam room, gym and sauna across 12,000 square feet. Pale browns, beiges and gold set the tone while large hanging chandeliers trickle down from the ceiling.
As goes for the facade – the organic architecture dictates also the spa interiors, where arches are favoured rather than right angles.
Update August 4, 2014:
Beginning of August 2014 InterContinental Davos has been announced as a winner in the category: “Europe’s Leading New Hotel 2014” by the World Travel Awards.
Davos – a Holiday Paradise and Congress City
Davos is a vacation paradise for an active holiday in the wonderful alpine scenery. And at the same time, Davos is a congress city with great tradition and modern infrastructure, as no other alpine town has on offer.
The annual World Economic Forum (WEF), involving around 3,000 internationally known, leading economists, politicians, scientists and businessmen, is the flagship event in Davos setting it apart as a meeting destination.
Check out prices and availability here.
Our thanks go to…
… Maria-Louisa Blanken, InterContinental Davos’ director of sales & marketing for the generous invitation. Thanks also to Sophie Janik, project manager at Wellcome PR for making this stay possible! And last but not least thanks also to Remco Maarten van der Kaaij for showing us around ;-)
