Switzerland is a country I adore, as much for its landscapes as for the quality of its hotels. I have a particular soft spot for the lake views, but the mountains are a must for many of you, especially in winter. That said, it’s worth flagging everything there is to do in summer too (I love anything with a bit of speed — the summer toboggan run and those contraptions for racing my daughters down the mountain are a personal favourite), and just as much off-season, when the hotels are quieter, the prices more reasonable, and you can enjoy your stay every bit as much.
Here, I want to put the spotlight on the Six Senses Crans-Montana.
It’s one of the newest additions to the Six Senses family, a brand currently in full expansion — so we’re talking its latest concept and design. In keeping with the group’s commercial model, part of the building houses residences sold to private owners, while the other holds the hotel’s rooms and suites.
Crans-Montana is one of Switzerland’s most sought-after resorts — seriously chic, between its Hermès and Louis Vuitton boutiques and the watchmakers. Like Gstaad, it’s a town that lives all year round, not only during the winter and summer holidays. I drove up myself, though my clients generally come from Geneva.
The rooms are mountain-chic, with a freestanding bathtub taking pride of place in the bathroom. Everything invites you to cocoon — the throws, the styling — it’s a deeply comfortable concept.
The hotel’s sports facilities are shared by guests and club members alike, which gives the place a lovely buzz (just remember to book your classes ahead, or you may find there’s no space left…).
Take your pick between the outdoor pool, heated to 31° all year round, and the indoor pool with its (steaming) outdoor access and a separate play pool for the children.
The sauna is, of course, non-negotiable. You’ll find several different ones across the hotel’s various spaces — and even in some of the rooms, for the lucky few.
I love the kit in Swiss spas; I often find they offer the most interesting equipment, particularly in Europe.
The spa runs a range of wellness programmes. Worth noting: meals aren’t included in these packages. The treatment menu is very extensive.
The food is divine, served under the attentive eye of Gaia, who was the highlight of my stay.
Breakfast is magnificent and wonderfully varied — as generous on the gourmet side as on the healthy one, savoury and sweet, with plenty of juices. You can choose between a vast buffet and à la carte dishes.
Throughout the day, the bar offers a snacking menu — with a special mention for their cookie, served warm in a little Mauviel copper pan (my Mauviel copper obsession) and topped with caramel ice cream. Utterly decadent.
For lunch and dinner, the Wild Cabin restaurant serves a varied menu, healthy or classic, with daily specials, and they happily adapt to your requests — particularly for guests staying a while who want tailored menus. The team is adorable, and at no point do they make you feel like you’re in the way, which is rare enough to be worth saying.
On Sundays, the buffet brunch is superb — a lovely way to make the most of your holiday.
In the evening, don’t miss the Japanese restaurant, Byakko. The bill matches the setting, but the food is delicious and quite unlike what you’ll find in the trendy Japanese spots everywhere right now.
Children are very welcome: there’s a dedicated kids club with plenty of activities. We’re looking at an older-toddler to primary-school crowd. Dedicated but generously wide time slots let children into the large indoor pool. The kids’ menu is thoughtfully done — thankfully with options beyond the usual nuggets and tomato pasta.
Dogs are warmly welcomed too. Everything is done to make your stay as seamless as possible.
And finally — the skiing. The Six Senses Crans-Montana is genuinely ski-in, ski-out, with ski lessons literally at the foot of the hotel. They take care of everything: your skis are ready, your boots warmed — skiing, yes, but without the cold.
In summer, the activities and the long hikes are yours for the taking.
That said, the hotel is so lovely that you can just as easily enjoy it without ever stepping outside. That’s exactly what I did, as my daughters simply wanted to make the most of the hotel and rest. An ideal place for precisely that.
In short, it’s an excellent address and one of Europe’s essential hotels for a mountain stay. One to try — and one you’ll almost certainly love, and come back to.
