Audemars Piguet’s Luxury Eco-Pod at Whitepod Hotel
Swiss Alps Serenity
WRITTEN BY Emily Bunn
JANUARY 10, 2022
Fantasizing about a secluded Swiss getaway? A series of perfectly perched pods with spectacular views that stretch across acres of rolling mountainside comprises the Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel – the exemplary winter excursion. When travelers wake up at this resort, they’ll feel like they’re still dreaming with their head in the clouds, literally. Whitepod recently partnered with watchmaker Audemars Piguet to create a customized eco-pod, the Timeless Suite.
While horologists have long admired AP’s keen eye for timepiece design, the watchmaker’s competency in the hospitality business is not to be ignored. In 2005, Audemars Piguet had opened Hôtel des Horlogers, a fifty-room Swiss Inn. With their new Timeless Suite venture, Audemars Piguet is focusing on a singular pod, roosted on the side of the Dents-du-Midi mountain range. In order to source the best design firm to bring their vision to life, Audemars Piguet hosted a contest. The competition crowned Bénédicte Meynet and Singal Depéry-Moesch as victors. Since, the duo has designed the dome-shaped structure that seamlessly melds into the Swiss Alps. Situated at an elevation of nearly 4,600 feet, the eco-pod not only offers views of the mountainside, but also becomes one with it.
When guests arrive at the suite, they will be greeted by the welcome butler and a bottle of champagne. If they require a different sampling, local drinks, artisanal teas, and wine are also available. The inside of the pod is made cozy by a pellet stove and the Swiss pine walls which emanate a soothing, natural aroma. At the same time, wool carpets and organic concrete furnish the space with contrasting textures, creating a unique sensory experience. The lavatory features a large shower and is done in green and gray minerals – which reflect Audemars Piguet’s corporate colors – a subtle nod to the watchmaker’s very discreet presence within the suite.
To further help travelers unwind, the suite is stocked with soothing nature soundtracks that feature ambient bird, wind, and water noises. The lighting inside of the space is designed to pulse in sync with the music, creating a meditative, entrancing atmosphere. This multi-sensory light and sound experience reflects cardiac coherence – the metronomic, heartbeat-like way in which mechanical watches tick. In the same manner, the beat and pulsations of light and music mimic this habitual rhythm.
Each morning, guests arise to idyllic views of the cascading mountain range and receive breakfast served directly to their pod. Once travelers are ready for the day, they are welcome to venture out onto the slopes, or can stay cozily cocooned inside with the pod’s iPad Pro with Netflix. Once the weather begins to rise, an ecological AC thermal pump delivers cool air into the pod to regulate the temperature throughout the day.
Guests can also step directly outside of their abode to enjoy the steaming outdoor Nordic bath, or lounge in the deck chairs to enjoy an even more close-up view of nature. No matter how you choose to enjoy your escape, Whitepod’s Timeless Suite awaits guests with sumptuous serenity. Audemars Piguet’s Timeless Suite at Whitepod starts at approximately $1,626 per night, which includes breakfast and a bottle of champagne.
As sustainability is becoming increasingly important to travelers, the hospitality industry and Audemars Piguet are quickly adapting to these increased demands for green development. The watchmaker has been granted Minergie-eco status, and the Audemars Piguet Foundation has contributed to environmental protection efforts since 1992. It’s easy to see why the Timeless Suite’s guests would prioritize eco-conscious lodging – starting each morning enveloped in the serene splendor of the surrounding natural environment is surely a sight to be savored.
