Ultima Crans-Montana Chalet – a Preferred Hotel Residence, Switzerland
A week ago, I’ve travelled to Switzerland for the first time, to what seemed to be one of the highlights of this year. I’ve never been an outdoorsy kinda girl. Especially when outside it’s snowing, and I’d much rather be on a beach. But Switzerland in December changed my entire perspective of winter, and it showed me how magical and beautiful it can be. Especially when you spend your winter holiday at a luxurious chalet in the middle of the Swiss Alps.
Located at 1,600m altitude in the Plan-Mayens district of Crans Montana, about 2.5h from Geneva, Ultima Crans Montana is an absolute beauty. Situated in an overall expansive natural landscape, panoramic views of the Valais Alps, a wide range of accommodation and extensive Alpine shopping combine to provide all of the comforts and beauty of a modern holiday resort.
Enjoying some of the most spectacular views in Europe with an unsurpassed vista stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont-Blanc up the Rhône Valley, the two chalets accomodate up to 26 guests in total privacy. Spanning an incredible 4500m², the two chalets include five-star facilities such as direct access to the slopes, a fantastic spa covering 1000sqm, a private chef at your disposal, a high-tech home cinema, and a seriously luxurious interior.
Everything in the chalet is bespoke, made to order by the designers, all from the contemporary fixtures and fittings to the striking artwork. Since we are actually in the process of renovating and decorating our home back in England, I am always on a lookout for inspiration wherever I travel. And Ultima Crans Montana is an infusion of brilliant ideas! With intertwining of traditional architecture with modern touches, the chalet has a beautiful double living room and bar with feature chandeliers and plush sofas.
Ultima Crans-Montana sees the unique signature of the brand, eponymous with an instant recognisable ambiance and achieves the peak of luxury. Only the best materials have been selected to create a warm, cosy and ultra-luxurious atmosphere. Mixing wood with leather, brass, nubuck and crystal, make from this chalet one of the most beautiful and refined places I’ve seen.
The expansive and sophisticated living area is ablend of true luxury and traditional Alpine character, boasting of a comfortable area for friends and family to socialise. Warm to the crackling wood-burning fireplace, with your favourite beverage from the bar, a perfect way to unwind after a long day on the slopes.
The fabulous dining room can accommodate up to 26 people, which can choose from a menu pre-selected before their arrival, all according to taste and preferences. The guests can spend time in the cosy cigar room, as well as in the billiard room.
If they want to work out, there is a fitness room and a yoga room for stretching out. We had a morning session before our flight back home and it felt really refreshing.
Chalet 1 has a direct access to the spa and clinic decked out in Bahia Blanca marbles, teak wood and Baccarat crystal chandeliers. Everything screams luxury and good taste, inspired by superyacht interiors, so even the most pretentious guest can gladly spend time here without a fault. From traditional hammam to sauna and a suite of lounge beds, guests can relax and enjoy a well deserved break. We also had some lovely massages and the amazing Maria was a Godsent after a 3 hours hike in the Alps. During their stay, guests can enjoy special detox treatments and re-boost thanks to personalised vitamin revitalisation cures.
There is also access to a superb outdoor heated pool, where we spent some magical time enjoying the breathtaking sunset, in a surreal scenery.
The guest rooms fully blend with the environment and they all feel like home in complete comfort. Chalet 1 has eight master suites, each with a dressing room, marble-clad bathroom and balcony. There are also two children’s dormitories who can accommodate up to 10 children.
My room was absolutely huge! The bathroom alone was bigger than a studio flat in London. I could have gladly spent my entire holiday in the bathroom, having bubble baths, and admiring the mountain peaks from my window. The bed was absolutely amazing with a leather padded headboard, so comfortable and cosy.
The second chalet is more intimate, but it offers the same comfort as the Ultima chalets with its 6 bedrooms, direct access to the spa, and an open kitchen. This is the perfect and cosy atmosphere to host friends and family.
To understand more about the Ultima Collection, the concept is based on tailor-made programs for the final customer and included dedicated concierge teams, butlers, chefs and spa therapists, as well as private helicopter and car transfers.
Each of Ultima Collection properties are categorised superior luxury quality, and the most rare and rich materials have been chosen to recreate the same cosy and ultra-luxurious atmosphere for each of the property. There is a lot of effort put into mixing the contemporary lines and traditional architecture so each location will have its own colour range but the same signature design elements such as combining leather with natural materials, prestigious textiles, bronze chimneys and the most stunning marble for the bathrooms, to give the perfect modern Alpine feel.
Ultima Crans Montana is a member of the Preferred Hotels Residencies. The world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 750 hotels, resorts and residences across 85 countries, has curated a global portfolio of exceptional hotels that deliver authentic experiences.
Moving away from star ratings, Preferred Hotels have five distinct collections which resonate better with the needs of today’s traveller. Preferred Residences Collection is one of the experiences clients can book when they are looking for distinctive, residential-style lodging options, whether it is a beautiful villa, a chalet, or city-central apartment. This connects them to the destination while enjoying their own space.
With over 100 residential-style properties, Preferred Hotels have included Ultima Collection/Ultima Crans-Montana, as it’s celebrating the art of private luxury where guests can expect tranquil settings with exceptional views, inspiring architecture and interiors and personalised services.
*Complimentary stay. All opinions are my own.
