Last year Visit London enjoyed a taste of Switzerland at Swissôtel The Howard. So it seemed the perfect place to feature for Switzerland in our World in London series. Not only is the hotel celebrating its 30th year in London, but it has also just re-launched its wonderful Swiss chalet.

We asked Swissôtel‘s Marketing and Communications Executive, Anna Nuecken, what makes the hotel a little piece of Switzerland in London:

“You find Swiss elements throughout the hotel: Our award-winning Swiss circles [traditional papercut silhouettes] on the main entrance and projected in the lobby represent Switzerland’s diversity and tradition of fine craftsmanship.

Also, the prominent Swiss fashion designer Ida Gut has created an original doorman’s uniform for Swissôtel. She worked in collaboration with the well-known Appenzell-based goldsmith and traditional Alpine craftsman Sebastian Fässler. Fässler produces bell straps, belts and buckles using techniques learned from his father. For the new tailor-made porters’ uniforms, he brought his characteristic style to the silver-ornamented shoe buckles and the silver buttons.

Guests enjoying breakfast at the hotel will profit from the Swiss breakfast corner which includes specialties from Switzerland such as dried beef and Bircher muesli. Our 12 Temple Place Restaurant also serves Swiss dishes, such as veal zurichoise with potato roesti.”

Even the Swiss chalet, temporarily located in the hotel’s Garden Courtyard, has plenty of authentic Swiss touches:

“The Swiss chalet resembles its sisters in the Alps as Swissôtel imported handcrafted and traditional interiors (some up to 250 years old) all the way from Switzerland to ensure the same cosy atmosphere guests would find in an Alpine Chalet. Examples are the antique wooden chair with marquetry from the Swiss town Brienz and the Swiss wooden trunk that dates from 1780.”

In the chalet, guests can gorge themselves on cheese fondue served with bread and charcuterie. But what makes the perfect Swiss fondue?

“The perfect Swiss fondue is “moitié-moitié” which means “half-half”. Half of the fondue cheese is Gruyère and the other half Vacherin cheese from Fribourg. You add some garlic and drops of Kirsch schnapps, stir and heat it up. Very easy and cheesy!”

Swiss Nights in the Swiss chalet every Tuesday and Saturday from 6pm. £29 per person including starter, fondue, dessert and glass of schnapps. Until 11 Mar 2011

Where else can you experience Switzerland in London? Let us know in the comments below.

Last night I enjoyed my first ever cheese fondue at Swissôtel The Howard’s Swiss chalet. The chalet offers all the fun of the après-ski without a gnarly snowboarder in sight!

We enjoyed a carbolicious meal of bread, melted cheese, cold cuts of meat, salad and a delicious apple strudel. The fondue was made with three different cheeses and a generous amount of white wine and kirsch, which gave it a lovely boozy taste.

The cute wooden chalet is filled with authentic Swiss touches – from the antler lampshade to the roaring fire. (Actually it’s not a real fire, or real antlers, but they still look good!) Even the music is Swiss.

I’d highly recommend a trip to Swissôtel‘s chalet – all that dipping and swirling the bread in the gooey cheese definitely makes it more fun than your average restaurant meal and being in the chalet made me feel like I was on holiday.

And if your tummy’s too full of cheese to stagger home, book a room with a river view – the panoramic view across London is stunning and includes the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge. It’s no wonder they’ve based their afternoon tea on London landmarks!

The Swiss chalet is open every Tuesday and Thursday, 6pm-10pm until 30 April 2010. £23 per person, minimum two people.