The best accommodation in Crans-Montana

Crans Montana is not a budget destination – top hotels with designer rooms, luxurious spas and fine cuisine come with eye-popping prices that are out of bounds to all but the deepest pockets. However, there are some cheaper alternatives to be found.

Of the two villages of Crans and Montana, Crans has the lion’s share of smarter, more expensive hotels while there are more affordable places in more relaxed Montana and on the road between the two. These are usually family-run, and there’s also a clean and comfortable youth hostel with private rooms as well as dormitory beds Alaïa Lodge, opened for 2021/22, offering shared accommodation options.

Until now, there’s been no ski-in/ski-out, most hotels are within a short walk or a quick bus ride of the slopes, but, new for 2022/23, a vast and newly-built ski-in ski-out Six Senses opens near the Merbé/Cry d’Er gondola in Crans.

UK tour operator packages are also limited, especially at the lower end, but there is accommodation to book direct. Bed and breakfast is common here, but a lot of the hotels also have good restaurants.

For further Crans-Montana inspiration, see our guides to the resort’s best restaurants and après ski.

Banish any preconceptions of grubby, insalubrious youth hostels. Bella Lui, on the road between Crans and Montana, is housed in a converted 1930s sanatorium, and as well as brightly-decorated, modern four- and six-bed dormitories it has family rooms and doubles.

Price: £

Overlooking Lake Grenon, Hotel du Lac is a family-run hotel between Crans and Montana, within a short walk of the Signal lifts in Montana. It has 30 characterful rooms, most with a balcony, a sauna and steam room, and serves home-brewed beer and coffee roasted on site.

Price: £

With views of the valley, the three-star Hotel La Prairie is a family-owned, 33-room retreat in a peaceful spot near La Moubra lake. Around 500m from the centre of Montana, its Le Chaudron restaurant is rustic style serving typical Valaisan dishes, and it has interconnecting rooms sleeping up to four people.

Price: ££

Next to the ice-skating rink in Montana, the three-star Olympic is a friendly, family hotel with modern, Alpine-style rooms. Its Mayen restaurant specialises in traditional Swiss rostis, raclette and fondue, and the Amadeus Bar is a lively après venue, with cocktails and music nights. 

Price: ££

With 24 rooms, the four-star Hotel Art de Vivre has smart, contemporary interiors and a spa with a wide range of treatments on offer, as well as gym, pool and outdoor hot tub. Between Crans and Montana, it’s around 600m from the lifts. Interconnecting rooms are available for families, and the restaurant serves creative regional dishes. 

Price: ££

Wonderfully cosy, the wood- and stone-built five-star Hostellerie du Pas de L’Ours has a mountain chalet atmosphere and 15 rooms. Chef Frank Reynaud oversees two restaurants: the one-Michelin-starred L’Ours for a gastronomic experience or the more casual Bistro de l’Ours. Guests use the spa and pool in the next door Etrier Hotel.

Price: £££

Booking.com rates above are guide prices per person per night, please note that packages can differ across accommodation. Please check the properties’ websites for further information on what’s included.