Where is LeCrans
The five-star Hotel LeCrans is located 1650 metres above sea level above Crans Montana in Switzerland. The spectacular panoramic views and sunny location accompany guests throughout their stay, whether from the 13 rooms and 3 flats, the heated outdoor pool of the spa or on the outdoor terrace of the gourmet restaurant LeMontBlanc. LeCrans is also open all year round and offers a good base in summer for hiking, golfing or simply relaxing. Snow sports enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the nearest valley slope is only 150 metres away so it is also the perfect location for a winter trip as well. The hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Swiss Deluxe Hotel.
Style of LeCrans
LeCrans has the intimate atmosphere of a private chalet where the interior reflects the individuality of the hotel, each room and suite takes the guest on a different journey around the globe with unique style and ambience. The architecture of the house is a particularly beautiful reference to the classic Valais wood and stone construction. There are also many beautiful and unusual art pieces dotted around the hotel that adds to the intrigue of this hotel.
Staying at LeCrans
Having driven from the UK in a day we could not wait to check in to LeCrans! Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by Andrei, who swiftly sorted out our luggage and got our car valet parked in the hotel’s garage. We were shown to our Junior Suite, called Dolomiti, which was vast and beautifully decorated in shades of pastel blue and exposed wood. The bed was sumptuous with mountains of pillows, which can be changed to a pillow of your choice from their pillow menu.
The suite also had a lounge area with a desk, a minibar, large built-in smart TV, a wardrobe area, a bathroom with a separate shower, a Jacuzzi bath and his and her sinks. I loved having a soak in the Jacuzzi bath, with lights and jets, using the products from Aesop, a great place to unwind and reset after a long day hiking. The best part of the suite was the incredible views from the terrace. Through the lounge area and out the patio doors to the terrace you could see for miles, across to the beautiful Swiss mountain peaks looming in the distance across the Valais Valley.
The suite was a home away from home, very spacious, with very calming decor and a lovely place to hang out. We spent many hours on our terrace taking in the sunshine with a drink from our all-inclusive mini bar. It also has loads of mod cons with a dashboard by each side of the bed to control the lighting, curtains and blackout shutters, very handy indeed. There was also a working fireplace, which you can ask the staff to set up for you, a water sink with fresh mountain water for drinking and a TV with Netflix, perfect for a cosy night in.
Food & Beverage at LeCrans
The gourmet restaurant LeMontBlanc is located on the 1st floor above the reception and spa. Chef Yannick Crepaux, who has been awarded one Michelin star and 17 GaultMillau points, is at work there with restaurant manager Michele Paganini and his team. During the day, the restaurant serves lunch or small snacks on the panoramic sun terrace all year round, weather permitting. It is also the location for breakfast, which is a rather lux affair with so much choice from fresh fruit to eggs and everything in between, we particularly loved the French Toast if you can find room!
We had several incredible meals here for dinner as well, with the concept being a tasting menu every night that changes. You can of course go al a carte but why would you when the chef and his team offer such a culinary journey as we experienced? We were thoroughly looked after by Michele, Alessandra, Joel, Killand and Jermy on the nights we dined there.
Our favourite standout dishes from the meals included all the amuse bouches which were so beautifully presented that they were like artworks, also the tuna tartare with beets, the stuffed chicken, and nearly all the desserts were absolute hits. I loved the take on a Mont Blanc, while Adam liked anything that involved chocolate, the petit fours as well were so amusing, we couldn’t get enough of the candyfloss!
They also do a grand tasting menu with 7 courses with matching wines, we had the most incredible meal that evening, with plate after plate of beautifully presented food that was packed with flavour. All the wine pairings were so intriguing and unique with the Provence Rose being a hit with us both as well as the locally produced Humagne Blanc AOC Valais 2018 from Maison Rouge SA.
Also, it is worth noting that if you want to watch Yannick Crepaux at work, you can book the exclusive chef’s table in the master’s kitchen. You can then end the evening relaxing on the balcony, in the cigar lounge or at the bar by the open fireplace with a glass of Valais wine.
Spa & Wellness at LeCrans
The wellness at LeCrans combines the best of global wellness treatments including personal sports coaching, exquisite and unique body and facial treatments, a sauna, a hammam, an indoor pool and a heated outdoor pool with breathtaking views of the Valais mountains.
Both Adam and I experienced massage therapies while at LeCrans, I had a Performer Massage, which is akin to a sports massage, with the Axelle, while Adam tried the Energy Massage with Jade. My massage was perfect for athletic recovery, this dynamic treatment is specially formulated to combat persistent aches and pains and reset any muscular strain or tension, and the therapy is focused on keeping you performing at your very best. Having been hiking and biking this was the perfect massage to reset my body.
Adam’s massage used the meridians which are pathways along which natural energy ebbs and flows around the body. Based on the principles of meridian and organ stimulation, this treatment is fundamentally focused on energy building to enliven and balance at the cellular level. Stagnant and blocked energy is released, and with this deepened level of relaxation, stronger detox, regeneration, and balancing effects emerge. The perfect high-level treatment for release, harmony and inner peace. Adam certainly looked renewed afterwards and was more relaxed so I can only assume it did its job!
Why visit LeCrans
LeCrans is an Alpine haven of exceptionally refined warmth, restorative tranquillity and discerning care. Located above Crans-Montana mountain resort on the edge of a peaceful Alpine forest, we found this hotel to be the ultimate setting to spoil ourselves within lush green surroundings that allowed us to disengage from our usual rat race pace.
It is the perfect base from which to explore a remote and beautiful part of the world surrounded by exhilarating scenery and striking landscapes like we did with visits to wineries, art galleries and hiking and biking in the local mountains. The service at LeCrans is impeccable, the gourmet cuisine is second to none, and despite being small the spa is world-class. This all combines to create an unforgettable experience that is guaranteed to keep you returning year after year, I know we cannot wait to go back and experience this gem of a hotel in winter!
LeCrans
Chemin du Mont-Blanc 1
CP – 179, Plans-Mayens
3963 Crans-Montana
Switzerland
