By the Best Mountain Hotels editorial team ·
Guarda Golf is the golfer's hotel in Crans-Montana. This small, five-star-superior boutique hotel stands directly on a fairway of the Jack Nicklaus course, with the Severiano Ballesteros course, home of the European Masters, a short walk away. With just 23 rooms and suites, six three-bedroom suite apartments, a spa with an indoor pool and a private cinema, it combines the intimacy of a private residence with views across the Rhône valley to the high peaks of the Valais.
Guarda Golf is the golfer's hotel in Crans-Montana. This small, five-star-superior boutique hotel stands directly on a fairway of the Jack Nicklaus course, with the Severiano Ballesteros course, home of the European Masters, a short walk away. With just 23 rooms and suites, six three-bedroom suite apartments, a spa with an indoor pool and a private cinema, it combines the intimacy of a private residence with views across the Rhône valley to the high peaks of the Valais.
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.
The hotel stands in Crans, on the edge of the golf courses, within easy reach of the resort centre. In summer, both of the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club's courses are within walking distance, and in winter a complimentary shuttle runs guests to the ski lifts.
Rooms and suites at Guarda Golf
There are 23 rooms and suites, designed in a warm, contemporary style, many with terraces or balconies facing the mountains and the golf course. For families and groups, six Suite Apartments of around 225 square metres each have three bedrooms, a living room and kitchen, and the services of the hotel.
The atmosphere is calm and personal, more private residence than grand hotel.
Facilities at Guarda Golf
The Guarda Golf Spa has an indoor pool, a whirlpool, sauna, hammam and steam bath, a relaxation room and a private spa suite, along with a gym. Restaurant FIVE serves Levantine cuisine and is recognised by GaultMillau, while the Guarda Golf Lounge serves international classics through the day.
There is also a private cinema named after Sir Roger Moore, who lived in Crans-Montana, a library, a billiards and cigar lounge, private dining and a children's playroom. The concierge can arrange tee times, lessons and caddies at Crans-sur-Sierre, as well as ski passes and instructors in winter.
The mountain moment
The defining moment is a summer evening on the terrace after a round on the Ballesteros course, as the low sun lights the fairways and the snowy peaks across the Rhône valley turn gold and then pink.
In late summer, walk across to watch the European Masters, one of the most beautiful tournaments in professional golf, with the Alps as its backdrop.
Why Guarda Golf is one of the best mountain hotels
Guarda Golf earns its place because no hotel in the Alps is closer to a championship golf course. It is small, private and beautifully run, with a fine spa and real comfort, and it works in winter too, with skiing on one of Switzerland's sunniest mountains.
For a larger, design-led ski-in, ski-out resort in Crans-Montana, see Six Senses Crans-Montana. For a mountain hideaway in a converted cable car station high above the resort, see Chetzeron. For more of the best golf in the mountains, read our guide to 9 great golf courses in the mountains.
When to go to Guarda Golf
The golf season in Crans-Montana usually runs from late spring to October, with the best conditions from June to September, and the European Masters is held each summer. Winter, from December to April, brings sunny skiing on around 140 kilometres of slopes. September is a lovely month, with settled weather, quieter fairways and clear views across the Alps.
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Questions, answered
- Is Guarda Golf Hotel on the golf course?
- Yes. It stands directly on a fairway of the Jack Nicklaus course, and the Severiano Ballesteros course, home of the European Masters, is within walking distance.
- How many rooms does Guarda Golf Hotel have?
- There are 23 rooms and suites, plus six three-bedroom Suite Apartments of around 225 square metres.
- Does Guarda Golf Hotel have a spa?
- Yes. The Guarda Golf Spa has an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, hammam, steam bath, relaxation room and a private spa suite.
- How do you get to the ski slopes from Guarda Golf Hotel?
- In winter, the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle to the ski lifts of Crans-Montana, which has around 140 kilometres of slopes.
- When is the European Masters held in Crans-Montana?
- The European Masters is held every summer at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, usually in late August or early September. Check the official dates before booking.
