Destination of the Week: MBM Chalets
Photos courtesy of MBM Chalets
This week, we showcase MBM Chalets, a collection of private, serviced Swiss chalets redefining Alpine travel beyond the traditional ski season. To explore how shifting climate patterns, growing demand for space and privacy, and the rise of “chalet-first” stays are shaping year-round mountain living in destinations like La Tzoumaz and nearby Verbier, we spoke with Founder Matthew Burnford about lifestyle-led hospitality, extended stays, and the evolving future of chalet culture in the Alps.
Swiss chalets have long been synonymous with the winter ski season. What changes in traveller behavior are you seeing that signal a growing appetite for summer and shoulder-season stays, and why is this moment particularly ripe for the Alps?
One of the most significant shifts we are seeing is being driven by climate. Many traditional European summer destinations are becoming increasingly hot - in some cases uncomfortably so - and travellers are actively looking for alternatives that offer relief rather than endurance. The Alps, particularly Switzerland, provide a natural solution: cooler temperatures, clean air, blue skies and an environment where being outdoors in the summer is varied, healthy and hugely enjoyable.
Beyond temperature, travellers are prioritising wellbeing and quality of time. Long alpine days, uncrowded trails, swimming lakes, and cooler evenings create a rhythm that feels restorative rather than overwhelming. Summer in the Alps now offers what many classic Mediterranean destinations no longer reliably can: comfort, balance, and space.
This combination of climate resilience, accessibility, and understated luxury makes this a particularly ripe moment for the Alps to reassert themselves not just as a winter playground, but as one of Europe’s most compelling summer destinations.
MBM Chalets has positioned itself at the center of this year-round chalet movement. How has your approach to hospitality evolved as guests increasingly seek space, privacy, and flexibility beyond traditional ski trips?
Our approach has evolved from being trip-focused to lifestyle-focused. Guests aren’t just booking accommodation - they’re curating how they live for a week or two. That means flexibility in dining, space to relax or work, privacy for families and groups, and service that adapts rather than dictates. We prefer to listen (that includes hear!), not prescribe.
We’ve leaned into chalets as private homes because they are homes - with hotel-level support added. Guests might want a fully catered experience one evening and complete independence the next. Others want wellness, nature, and slow living front and centre. Our role is to enable that freedom while quietly handling the logistics in the background.
Located in La Tzoumaz, with close ties to Verbier, how does this quieter alpine setting appeal to families and groups looking for a different pace and perspective on Swiss mountain travel?
La Tzoumaz (Petit Verbier) offers the best of both worlds. It’s a family resort directly connected to Verbier’s world-class terrain and amenities, but without the intensity that can sometimes come with a high-profile resort. For families and groups, that balance is incredibly appealing.
There’s a sense of space, calm, and authenticity here - children can roam, days feel less scheduled, and evenings are genuinely peaceful. Guests still have access to everything Verbier offers and more, but they return to a setting that feels grounded and personal rather than performative. For many, that contrast becomes the highlight of the trip.
Chalet Hobhouse is a new addition to your portfolio. How does this chalet, in particular, reflect the shift toward “chalet-first” travel, where the accommodation itself becomes the centerpiece of the experience year-round
Chalet Hobhouse was chosen precisely because it stands on its own as a destination. The architecture, views, interior flow, and communal spaces encourage guests to slow down and stay in rather than constantly head out. It works just as well for a summer gathering, a multi-generation family stay, or a quiet winter retreat as it does for a ski week.
What we’re seeing is that guests increasingly want a place that supports connection - long lunches, evenings together, time outdoors, and moments of stillness. Chalet Hobhouse embodies that shift. It’s not just a base for activities; it’s a home and where the experience happens.
As weather patterns and travel seasons continue to blur, how do you see chalet culture continuing to evolve and what role do you believe private, serviced chalets will play in shaping the future of Alpine travel?
Chalet culture is becoming increasingly year-round as weather patterns and travel seasons blur. Flexibility now matters more than tradition, and private, serviced chalets are well placed to adapt but in how they’re used, staffed, and experienced.
More people are coming to the Alps not just to holiday, but to live and work, sometimes for an entire summer or winter. Chalets suit this shift perfectly, offering space, privacy, and a sense of home that supports extended stays.
I see chalets evolving from seasonal ski assets into alpine residences for modern travel; places for work, wellness, creativity, and reconnection. They provide privacy without isolation and service without rigidity, reflecting how people increasingly want to travel and live.
