Hotel Crans Ambassador Luxury Sport Resort ★★★★★

Sun, sea and sand may sound like the perfect recipe, but, let’s face it, this cliché holiday can get a little tiresome. Sometimes, you are ready to unwind whilst simultaneously blowing away those cobwebs. That’s why when a group of friends invited me to join them for a long weekend at the Crans-Montana ski resort, in French-speaking Southwestern Switzerland, and right in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the adrenaline started to flood my body just at the mention of some outdoor adventure.

On first arrival at the hotel, there is only one thing that takes all of your attention: the view. No matter how many “wows” you utter, words will never do it justice. At check in, we received the warm service the hotel is known for, as my friend and I were shown to our deluxe twin room. Having the extra advantage of being on one of the higher levels of the hotel, the view from the terrace, which faced the Alps, did not disappoint. If you can tear yourself away from the balcony, you will also find all the modern conveniences you would expect, such as TV, wireless internet, and your own coffee machine. In total, there are 60 rooms and suites. The décor was sympathetic to the natural environment and particular care seems to have been taken in choosing materials like natural stone, leather and wood to blend the two worlds. The sensitivity to the outside world was also present in the restoration work by architect Pierre Gervais, and the hotel looks at home in its alpine setting.

A quick stop off at Sport Boutique set us up for our day out on the pistes. They offered advice on the best rental equipment and were able to supply top to toe clothing to get our group out to the ski lifts in record time.  Although I enjoy skiing, I am not so accomplished, so it was great for me that at Crans-Montana, most of the runs are blue and red, and so easy and accessible for all levels. As a keen hiker, I also very much enjoyed exploring just some of the 65 kilometres of way-marked footpaths set among a dedicated area for walkers. Five lakes with crystal clear water means summertime offers a complete charm of its own in Crans-Montana, with a whole host of activities to accompany it.  As well as getting out onto the lakes, you can try a quick round of golf or perhaps a little mountain biking.

After a day of breathing in some of the purest fresh air in Switzerland, I was more than ready to compliment all my action hero activities with some well-earned pamper time. Half an hour in the steam room took away any lingering chills from a day outdoors, and despite a tempting array of treatments on offer, I found myself fully content to relax in the heated pool and simply lounge around in the excellently equipped spa for a while.

Dinner at 180º Texture could not come soon enough. The restaurant offers a 180° view of the alpine peaks, so it is well worth going early to enjoy a drink before sunset. The cuisine, prepared with fresh products by Chef Olivier Androuin, provided a healthy, but wholesome, meal, which was just what we needed after such an energetic day.

Happy and exhausted, I climbed into bed ready to rise and repeat this perfect day over again tomorrow.