Fodor's Expert Review Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences
14 rte. des Zirès, Crans-Montana, Valais, 3693, Switzerland
This resort hits the trifecta: comfortable American-style accommodations, impeccable Swiss service, and warm Brazilian hospitality. The lavishly appointed property, owned by Brazilian hotelier Nati Felli and her Swiss husband, Giancarlo, is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Outside, sweeping views of the Alps form the backdrop of the leafy 9-hole Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course. Inside, the high-tech rooms are big enough to samba in, and faux-fur-topped king-size beds are a delightfully fluffy spot to collapse. Rooms include air-conditioning and humidification—very unusual in the Alps. There's also a full-service spa, a fitness area with cutting-edge equipment, and a sleek pool with a sexy peekaboo window into the sauna. The hotel is rich in unique amenities including a large kids' playroom, billiard room, cigar lounge, and 15-seat theater. But the restaurant's wraparound terrace, where guests gather to watch the pinkish alpenglühen (the Swiss version of the northern lights), is the big draw.
PROS
- halcyon views of the Alps
- excellent service, including a knowledgeable waitstaff
- prompt pick-up and drop-off shuttle
CONS
- food can be hit or miss
- art gallery space could be put to better use
- service, luxury, and all the amenities come at a price
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Sept.–mid-Dec. and late Mar.–mid-June, Free Breakfast