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Occupation: superchalet landlord
One of the Alps’ most stunning holiday rental portfolios is headed up by a group of four friends, who between them manage an array of high-end apartments and ultra-luxury chalets marketed under two sister brands: Bramble Ski and Haute Montagne.
Brought together by their passion for skiing, and for skiing in Verbier in particular, Colin Mayo, and Duncan and Natasha Robertson decided to ditch their respective jobs as an engineer, financial analyst and advertising executive in London and set up in the Val de Bagnes, right next to the peaks so dear to their hearts. In their first season they had but one chalet on their books. Two years later they were joined by a fourth partner: Zimbabwean Barry Cox, a former chef and now a co-director.
So, why here? Because Verbier is “easy to get to from the bustling city of Geneva”, replies Mayo. And also because they had been drawn here many times by the cosmopolitan feel and charm of the resort, which attracts a growing number of affluent visitors from all four corners of the globe.
13 years later and a portfolio of 80 properties
The foursome now runs a company that is firmly established on the Bagnes landscape and which has a turnover of around CHF 14m. They all live in Verbier and partake in a wide range of sports all year round, though nothing too strenuous to stop them from extending their business to four other Alpine resorts: Zermatt in Switzerland, St Anton and Lech in Austria, and Meribel in France. Others are set to follow soon. So what do these resorts all have in common? Well, the answer is the same passion for skiing, the same quality of snow and the presence of high-end real estate that meets their very high demands.
Depending on the season, the four associates and their team of around 100 people manage between 70 and 80 properties through their two brands. Bramble Ski specialises in luxury apartments and chalets, all of them carefully selected by Duncan, right down to their appearance. Meanwhile, Haute Montagne devotes its energies to the highly specific ultra-luxury segment, which includes only the very best properties, set aside for a fortunate few. The properties in question are free-standing chalets with a swimming pool and spa, most of them with a floor area of over 1,000m2, though the largest boast more than 3,000 m2.
They are rented out by companies, families – latterly most of them from India and the Middle East – and private individuals. No doubt there are celebrities and royalty among them, though the co-directors withhold names, like the true professionals that they are. Finding anything out about the owners is also an impossible task. When it comes to the world of high-end luxury, confidentiality is an absolute must.
The ultimate in luxury
“No request is too much,” says Mayo, uttering what could easily be a slogan for Haute Montagne, whose ultimate aim is to fulfil every desire, or as some might say, every whim. ‘Bespoke’ is the watchword here. Many clients who choose to stick to a single location call on the company’s services for virtually everything. From cleaning and upkeep to cooking and organising activities and trips, there is nothing that cannot be taken care of, with the best chefs and ski instructors also available on call.
As Mayo explained, some clients choose to stay in and make the most of everything their chalet has to offer rather than enjoy the wonderful ski domain stretching out from the front door. Nonetheless, although Mayo himself is lucky enough to test out the company’s new properties on a regular basis, he never misses the chance to enjoy the magnificent surroundings of Verbier and engage in a spot of off-piste skiing and some summertime trail running, preferably on the Bruson side of Le Rogneux.
