Troubadour is the top floor apartment of the small five-unit chalet “Malou” built in the traditional Wallis/Valais log cabin style and located in the Mountain Village area of Saas-Fee. At 61 m², it is the largest flat in the house, and has a wraparound balcony and French windows on the SE side, affording grandiose views of the valley below, onto the Saaser Vispa river and the villages of Saas Grund and Saas Almagell, and of a 270° sweep of the mountains opposite on the other side of the valley. It has a small communal garden, and for summer 2012 we will build a BBQ and seating/eating area.

Troubadour has a *** three star rating from the Swiss Tourist Federation.

The flat is entered via one flight of external stairs with a little landing in front of the front door. It has been kept in the “raw” log cabin interior state, with a warm, reddish cedar wood atmosphere. Special attention has been paid to lighting accents throughout, and selected items of antique furniture build a bridge between the needs of the modern holidaymaker and the desires of those who want to immerse themselves in their surroundings.

Once inside, a small but bright and well equipped bathroom with toilet, sink, heated towel rack / radiator / clothes drier attachment, bath with shower and a window with a lovely valley view is directly to your left.

The hallway is fitted with traditional coat/hat racks, and plastic trays for wet boots and shoes are also provided. In addition, there is a cat flap in case you’ve brought your beloved PurrsomeFursome along.

On the right-hand side, you will find a cosy, romantic bedroom with traditional style wooden furniture, a very large wardrobe, a fabric upholstered wall in a traditional motif repeated in the curtains, and some modern, contrasting accents. The bedding includes cuddly goose down pillows and duvets . The window opens onto the small forecourt, and a cat ladder leads down from it, again in case Kitty or Kiddo would prefer to go in and out that way. And, if they don’t wake you up, the radio / alarm clock will — if you choose to set it.

Opposite the bedroom is the kitchen. Although small, it is fully equipped and has – virtually! – everything busy holiday makers need … built in cabinets, washing machine, dishwasher, large double sink, four burner ceramic hob, full oven, Nespresso machine, milk foamer, toaster, microwave, electric water kettle, carbonated water maker, hand-held mixer, cutlery and crockery for four people x 2, saucepans, frying pans, baking trays and multiple accessories, including a pressure cooker, and, as a special feature, a serving hatch to the dining area – and even a window with a view. In addition, there are always a number of cooking staples available, such as oil, vinegar, sugar, a selection of spices, instant coffee, tea, spaghetti, rice etc…

As you leave the hallway, the dining area, with views of the valley and mountains opposite and access to the balcony, is to your left. It is furnished with an antique table and bench as well as with contemporary leather chairs.

The bright, ample living room, with its wood fireplace, and French windows to the balcony, is accessed through a large doorway on the right, which can be closed off with heavy curtains to serve as a second bedroom when four guests use the flat. In addition to a sleeper sofa and a contemporary leather sofa and armchair, two antique leather armchairs and a low table provide additional relaxing or working options. In this room you will also find the clothes dryer, housed in a cabinet with a folding surface, and an antique cupboard containing glassware, table linens and a number of Alpine essentials such as raclette and fondue sets, as well as providing storage space for clothes. Next to the cupboard there is a clothes hanging area and shoe/luggage rack, and, after the small dividing wall segment, the Internet router with a long cable enabling you to use your computer almost everywhere in the flat or on the balcony.

Of course there is a full entertainment centre – satellite TV and DVD player as well as card games in the living room corner, radio, tape and CD player in the cupboard. Books in different languages and soothing lighting from several sources complete the theme.

Firewood is stored on the balcony, as are outdoor tables and chairs for four people.

Picture yourself spending a lazy day in, or coming home after a hard day’s skiing and some fun après-ski in the village to a warm, welcoming little eagle’s nest, a treehouse way above the cares of the world and far from the madding crowd, having a nice hot bath and relaxing in front of the glowing fireplace while enjoying a glass of our excellent Wallis/Valais wines before or after a home-cooked dinner with family or friends, and finally dropping off to sleep wrapped in soft quilts. Thanks to obscuring curtains, the next morning starts only when you want it to, and not necessarily when the sun comes over the tops of the mountains opposite – although the sight is highly recommended! And, in the summer, meals out on the balcony are pure bliss.

We wish you a wonderful stay at Malou Troubadour!