A place with a wow factor: time out at the Hotel Chetzeron

A cool design hotel located at 2,112 metres above sea level in a former gondola station and with a magnificent panorama over the Rhone Valley; Sounds promising, doesn’t it? This already attracted us to the Hotel Chetzeron in the summer of 2015 during a long weekend in Crans-Montana. At that time, we took a look at the really impressive lobby and then treated ourselves to a hiking refreshment on the no less inviting sun terrace.

In 2001, the future did not look so promising for the striking stone-gray cube. After a new lift went into operation a few metres away, the gondola lift became superfluous and stood empty for a long time. The enterprising restaurateur and hotelier Sami Lamaa woke the resort from its slumber and transformed it into a unique retreat with 16 rooms.

When design and mountain world merge

At the beginning of October, we were given the opportunity to spend a weekend in the Chetzeron. Since I have fond memories of the hotel since our first visit three years ago, we were happy to get a more comprehensive insight this time. Despite its impressive location, the hotel is well connected to Crans-Montana and can be reached via the Cry d’Er gondola lift in less than 20 minutes on foot. If you have a lot of luggage with you, you can leave it at the valley station so that it can be transported directly to the hotel. If you are not good on foot or are spotting a rainy day, the Chetzeron will also chauffeur you from the mountain or middle station directly to the hotel entrance – in summer with the jeep, in winter with the snow groomer.

We are traveling light and use the short walk as a warm-up exercise for the upcoming yoga lesson in Chetzeron. But before we deal intensively with asanas and pranayamas, we take a closer look at our room. Of the total of three room categories, we are accommodated in the middle one – the double room Deluxe Corner. This scores with two large window fronts that merge inside and outside. From our bed, we look at an impressive backdrop with snow-covered four-thousand-metre peaks and puzzle over the name of the striking peak directly in front of us. Later we learn that the mountain we are looking for is the Weisshorn and that among all the peaks you will also find the Dom and Mont Blanc. Each of the 16 rooms is named after a mountain – in keeping with its size, ours, called “Monte Rosa”, is dedicated to an entire massif. While the spectacle takes place outside, simplicity is celebrated inside. The materialization focuses on three elements: wood, stone and concrete. With a cheeky grass green, accents are set selectively. I like this reduction to the essentials paired with high-quality furniture and timeless classics.

Yoga taster lesson at 2,112 metres above sea level

At the beginning of October, the Chetzeron conducted a 5-day yoga retreat as a “test run” for a possible future expansion of its offerings. Unfortunately, my schedule did not allow me to participate in the regular retreat. But the yoga teacher – Maximilia Nitsche – offered to give me an insight into the retreat with a taster lesson the following Saturday. Maxi put together an individual yoga session consisting of Yin Yoga, meditation and a nature ceremony especially for us. All our program items were part of the retreat.

In the last few years, I had taken part in about five yoga classes in various forms. Although I notice after every lesson that the movements are good for my body, I always struggle with the part of consciously inhaling and exhaling and concentrating on myself. It stresses me out more than it calms me down. This taster lesson at the Chetzeron was once again a very interesting experience, but also challenging. But since we will be dealing with yoga again for several days at the end of October, this was a successful start.

I found the nature ceremony that Maxi performed at a wonderful vantage point just below the Chetzeron very nice. The aim of this ceremony is to create a connection between man and nature.

A gondola station reinterpreted

It is always astonishing which muscles are pinching for attention after a yoga class. Fortunately, there is a heated pool with bubble loungers on the roof terrace of the annex in the Chetzeron. The perfect place to loosen your muscles and relax surrounded by a magnificent panorama. The electricity to heat the pool is produced by solar panels on the roof of the main building. The Chetzeron is designed as a Minergie building and great importance is attached to a good ecological balance in operation. In addition to the outdoor pool, the small spa area also includes a Finnish sauna and a steam bath. The only thing I look for in vain is a relaxation room – but who needs one when the heart of the Chetzeron is right next to it. In the lobby/lounge area, the history of the building is clearly legible. The structures of the former gondola station have been taken over and reinterpreted. The overall concept is successful, in my opinion. And thanks to the spacious rooms, everyone will find a quiet place to immerse themselves in an exciting book or try out one of the games that are available.

We look for a cozy corner, order appetizers and challenge our English skills with a game of Scrabble. Later we try our way through the menu of the restaurant. The Chetzeron deliberately relies on a small menu with changing seasonal dishes. Swiss-Argentine chef Lucia Cordonier works closely with local producers and lets the products speak for themselves. Their origins are reflected in the menu. My heart skips a beat when I discover the ceviche! I love the fish dish that is common in South America and am now happy to know where in Switzerland really good ceviche is served.

Box seat for mountain lovers

Fortunately, the sunrise in October no longer takes place at the crack of dawn. When it comes to the scenery, we don’t want to miss the morning spectacle. The alarm clock mercifully wakes us up just before seven o’clock. The view from the window is promising and when we stand outside a few minutes later, the summit peaks of the four-thousand-metre peaks are already shining in a warm orange. What a great start to Sunday.

Get the day off to a fine start

Back at the hotel, the breakfast tables are already set. I like the fact that there are rolls, jam and butter on the tables and that we can put together the rest at the buffet. One of the highlights of the breakfast buffet is the homemade Nutella as well as the freshly prepared waffles.

And then our short break in this wonderful place comes to an end. But as the saying goes: all good things come in threes and so there will definitely be a reunion.

After breakfast, we pack up our things and make our way to the gondola lift on foot. Thanks to the hiking staff, we get a brilliant tip at the end. Instead of following the wide (and boring) gravel path, we are guided onto a beautiful mountain path that leads us directly to the middle station.

Practical tips for your stay at Chetzeron

• The Chetzeron is located below the Cry d’Er gondola station and can be reached from there in about 15-20 minutes. The hotel also offers a transport service and picks up guests at the gondola station on request.
• The price for an overnight stay in a double room including breakfast starts at 320 CHF. On winter weekends as well as during the high season, prices are higher. Up-to-date price information can be found on the Chetzeron’s website.
• With its location, the Chetzeron is predestined for an active mountain weekend with hikes or bike descents. In winter it is the perfect ski-in ski-out hotel. Further yoga retreats are also being planned for the next season.
• For arrival and departure as well as for the days on site, you will receive a QR code that includes free use of the gondola lifts (summer season).
• The impressive hike along the Bisse du Ro starts directly at the Chetzeron – definitely recommended.

Note: The stay was supported by the Chetzeron. All impressions and opinions are, as always, ours.