By the Best Mountain Hotels editorial team ·
Chetzeron is one of the most original mountain hotels in the Alps: a former cable car station at 2,112 metres above Crans-Montana, transformed into a 16-room design hotel with glass walls, oak-lined interiors and a heated pool facing the high peaks of the Valais. Reached only on foot, by bike, on skis or by snowmobile, it feels wonderfully remote, yet it sits right in the heart of the ski area in winter and on open alpine pasture in summer.
Chetzeron is one of the most original mountain hotels in the Alps: a former cable car station at 2,112 metres above Crans-Montana, transformed into a 16-room design hotel with glass walls, oak-lined interiors and a heated pool facing the high peaks of the Valais. Reached only on foot, by bike, on skis or by snowmobile, it feels wonderfully remote, yet it sits right in the heart of the ski area in winter and on open alpine pasture in summer.
Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Crans-Montana stands on a wide, sunny plateau at around 1,500 metres, high above the Rhône valley in the Swiss canton of Valais. It is one of the sunniest resorts in the Alps, and its south-facing balcony looks across the valley to a long line of great peaks, from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc on a clear day. In winter, its ski area of around 140 kilometres climbs to the Plaine Morte glacier; in summer, it is famous for golf, above all the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, home of the European Masters, as well as hiking, biking and its small lakes. Sion airport is about 30 to 40 minutes away by road, and Geneva around two hours by train to Sierre, then a funicular up to the plateau.
Chetzeron stands alone at 2,112 metres, well above the resort, on the slopes in winter and on mountain pasture in summer. There is no road: guests arrive on skis, by snowmobile, on foot or by bike, which keeps it peaceful once the day visitors have gone. On clear days, the view stretches across the Rhône valley to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
Rooms and suites at Chetzeron
There are 16 rooms and suites, contemporary and minimal in style, with parquet floors, natural materials and large windows framing the mountains. Some have bathtubs with a view, and the corner rooms are among the most popular.
The contrast between the austere concrete and stone of the old station and the warmth of the interiors is part of the charm.
Facilities at Chetzeron
The panoramic restaurant serves refined Alpine cooking, with grilled meats and vegetables from the Valais, paired with local wines, and it is open to skiers and walkers by day. Its terraces, with loungers and sheepskins, are among the most popular lunch spots on the mountain, and the bar is a lively place for après-ski.
There is a heated outdoor pool overlooking the Alps, along with a small sauna and steam room. The hotel is a member of Design Hotels and was conceived by the hotelier Sami Lamaa, opening in 2015.
The mountain moment
The defining moment comes at the end of the day, when the last skiers have gone down and you have the mountain to yourself: a swim in the heated pool as the sun sets over the Alps, followed by dinner by the window as the lights of the Rhône valley come on far below.
In summer, walk out across the pastures at dawn, with the whole chain of the Valais peaks lit up across the valley.
Why Chetzeron is one of the best mountain hotels
Chetzeron earns its place because it is unlike any other hotel in Switzerland: a bold piece of architecture that turns a piece of ski-lift infrastructure into a warm, stylish refuge, with one of the best views in the Alps. It is perfect for couples, design lovers and adventurous travellers.
For a full-service ski-in, ski-out spa hotel below it, see Six Senses Crans-Montana, and for golfers, Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences. For another high, car-free hideaway, see Riffelalp Resort 2222m in Zermatt.
When to go to Chetzeron
Winter, from December to April, brings ski-in, ski-out access to Crans-Montana's slopes and sunny days on the terraces. Summer, from late June to September, is wonderful for hiking and mountain biking from the door, with wildflowers in the pastures and long evenings. Like most high mountain hotels, Chetzeron closes between seasons, so check opening dates before you book.
Mountain Muses
New hotel listings and inspiration each week, direct from the mountains to your inbox
Sources
Questions, answered
- How do you get to Chetzeron?
- There is no road. Guests arrive on skis or by snowmobile in winter, and on foot or by bike in summer. Contact the hotel to arrange access and luggage.
- What altitude is Chetzeron?
- Chetzeron stands at 2,112 metres, high above Crans-Montana.
- How many rooms does Chetzeron have?
- There are 16 rooms and suites, in a contemporary, minimal style with views of the Alps.
- Does Chetzeron have a pool?
- Yes. There is a heated outdoor pool overlooking the mountains, as well as a small sauna and steam room.
- What was Chetzeron before it was a hotel?
- It was a cable car station on the slopes above Crans-Montana, converted into a design hotel that opened in 2015.
