7132 Hotel

Vals, Switzerland

THE PERSONALITIES

Architectural purists. Design pilgrims. Thermal seekers. Slow-luxury minimalists. Mountain modernists.

MOMENTS

Alpine luxury. Scenic mountain roads. Midnight soaks. Complete silence. Natural minimalism.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

7132 is compelling year-round, but late spring through early autumn (May–October) offers the most balanced experience. Snowmelt feeds the surrounding alpine meadows, hiking trails open above the village, and the contrast between crisp mountain air and thermal water feels especially restorative. Winter adds drama and quiet, with snow-covered slopes and a deeper sense of retreat, ideal for those drawn to introspection and architectural stillness.

COST

WHY STAY

Set in the small alpine village of Vals in eastern Switzerland, 7132 is a luxury hotel defined by geology. The valley is shaped by quartzite stone, ancient tectonic movement, and a naturally heated thermal spring that emerges from deep within the mountain at 30°C. The landscape is elemental and restrained: steep slopes, grazing pastures, and a slow rhythm shaped by altitude and weather. Nature here is not decorative; it is structural.

Accommodation unfolds across a collection of architecturally distinct buildings, most notably the stone-clad Therme Vals designed by Peter Zumthor. Guest rooms range from minimalist alpine interiors to high-design suites, each framed to emphasize light, proportion, and material honesty. Architecture at 7132 is not an object placed in the landscape but an extension of it, using local stone, concrete, and glass to echo the surrounding mountains.

Wellness is anchored by the thermal baths themselves, widely regarded as one of the most significant spa architectures in the world. Moving through pools of varying temperatures, sound chambers, and shadowed corridors becomes a sensory ritual. Heat, cold, silence, and texture work together to slow the body and recalibrate the nervous system. What makes 7132 singular is this union of radical architecture, elemental water, and an almost monastic approach to wellbeing, rooted in the vision of architect Peter Zumthor and the village’s long relationship with its thermal source.

Why Wander

Beyond the baths, Vals invites exploration through movement and stillness. Alpine hiking trails wind through meadows and forested slopes, offering expansive views across the valley and moments of solitude shaped by altitude and wind. In warmer months, walking becomes a meditative extension of the bathing ritual.

Winter transforms the region into a quieter, snow-covered terrain. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and gentle alpine routes replace summer hikes, while the village itself feels slowed and inward-looking. The rhythm of the day often returns guests to the baths as dusk settles early.

Cultural wandering is subtle but meaningful. Vals remains a working mountain village, with dairy farms, stone houses, and long-held traditions. Time spent observing daily life, visiting local chapels, or simply sitting with the landscape reinforces a sense of continuity between people, place, and natural resources.

Indulge In

Dining at 7132 is anchored by precision, provenance, and quiet drama. 7132 Silver, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, offers a refined alpine expression led by contemporary technique and rigorous sourcing. Menus evolve with the seasons, highlighting Swiss ingredients through restrained compositions that echo the hotel’s architectural clarity. The experience is intimate and intentional, designed to mirror the cadence of the thermal rituals below.

Getting There

Vals is reached by train via Chur, followed by a scenic regional journey through the Graubünden mountains. The final approach winds into the valley, reinforcing the sense of arrival and separation from faster-paced worlds.

Wild Initiatives

7132’s foundation is inherently sustainable, built around the responsible use of a natural thermal spring and local quartzite stone. Architecture prioritizes longevity over trend, and the hotel’s integration into the village supports local employment, regional sourcing, and the preservation of cultural and natural resources. The focus remains on low-impact luxury, where restraint, durability, and respect for landscape guide every decision.

*Images property of 7132 Hotel