Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours
Two Michelin Keys
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Hotel Details
Location
Crans-Montana
Switzerland, Europe
Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Dining:** Both the gourmet and bistro restaurants, along with the "fantastic" breakfasts, are a significant highlight.
Expert Review: Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours
Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours, a distinguished Relais & Châteaux property in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, consistently receives high praise from guests, earning its two Michelin Keys as a truly exceptional stay. Its blend of traditional alpine charm and modern luxury creates a serene and indulgent experience.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "wonderful" and "exceptional." The hotel boasts a high overall rating of 9.4, with particularly stellar scores for staff (9.8), cleanliness (9.9), and comfort (9.4). The sentiment indicates a strong appreciation for the high level of service, luxurious amenities, and beautiful setting.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud the hotel for several standout features:
- World-Class Service: The hospitality is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with staff praised for being "extremely friendly," "attentive," and "professional."
- Luxurious Design & Ambiance: The hotel beautifully marries a traditional weathered wooden chalet exterior with crisp contemporary interiors, featuring exposed wooden beams, natural stones, and fur fabrics. This creates a calm, comfortable, and luxurious mountain atmosphere.
- Exceptional Dining: Both the gourmet and bistro restaurants, along with the "fantastic" breakfasts, are a significant highlight.
- Spa & Wellness: The L'Alpage Spa, offering a range of restorative treatments and an indoor pool that opens to the Alpine air, is a cherished amenity. Suites often complement this with private spa baths.
- Breathtaking Views: The peaceful location offers impressive panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, including peaks stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
3. Room Quality
The rooms at Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours are described as luxurious and comfortable. The suites, which constitute the majority of the accommodations (12 out of 15 rooms/suites), often feature open fireplaces and spa baths, enhancing the sense of indulgence. The décor tastefully blends traditional chalet elements like wood paneling and stone walls with modern design and high-tech comforts. Many rooms and suites offer balconies with garden, pool, or stunning mountain views. Even classic double rooms, though potentially without mountain views, offer a traditional, wood-dressed style with bright colors, featuring amenities like separate toilets, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and complimentary WiFi.
4. Dining Experience
Dining is a significant aspect of the Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours experience. The hotel houses two distinct restaurants under the direction of Chef Franck Reynaud:
- L'Ours: This is the hotel's gourmet restaurant, boasting a Michelin star and 18 Gault-Millau points, offering fine-dining creations guided by "emotion."
- Le Bistrot des Ours: A more rustic option, this bistro serves hearty and traditional dishes. Guests have described dinners in the bistro as "delicious."
- Breakfast: Consistently receiving high praise, breakfasts are repeatedly called "fantastic" and "extraordinary." One guest particularly appreciated the quality of the beverages, especially the orange juice. However, one minor suggestion for improvement was the preference for a buffet-style breakfast.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff are frequently highlighted as one of the hotel's strongest assets, garnering a remarkable staff rating of 9.8. Guests commend the team for being "extremely friendly," "attentive," "polite," and providing "world-class service" from the moment of arrival. Many express feeling "very much at ease" due to the staff's gracious and professional demeanor. The personalized attention and willingness to organize and assist guests significantly contribute to a memorable stay.
6. Location & Accessibility
Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours is "peacefully located in a stylish chalet in Crans-Montana, in the Swiss Alps." This location offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Alps, including prominent peaks like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. Crans-Montana itself is an excellent destination for a variety of activities throughout the year. In winter, it's ideal for snow sports, with fifteen ski touring routes covering over 40 kilometers of marked trails, suitable for all skill levels. In warmer months, guests can enjoy unique walks along the historic "bisses" (irrigation channels) that offer spectacular views through alpine landscapes.
The hotel provides a shuttle service to the slopes, which is considered a significant advantage by guests. While the hotel is peacefully situated, some guests have noted it can be "far from the center." Private parking is available on site for CHF 35 per day. Sion airport is approximately 25 km away.
7. Value & Pricing
Hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours is generally considered to offer good value, receiving an 8.6 rating for value for money. As a luxury 5-star property and a Michelin Two-Keys hotel, the pricing reflects its high-end offerings and exceptional service. Room rates can range from approximately $614 to $4232 per night, depending on the room type and season. January is typically the most expensive month to stay, while December tends to be the cheapest, with an average price drop of 46%.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms and recurring issues have been noted by guests:
- Maintenance Issues: One guest reported that the spa steam room was out of action for maintenance during their stay. Another mentioned construction activities impacting the use of some facilities like the wardrobe.
- Breakfast Style: A preference for a buffet breakfast over the current offering was mentioned by one reviewer.
- Pool Supervision: One guest suggested implementing a "time-lapse" for children at the pool to address potential concerns.
- Location from Center: A few reviews mentioned the location being "far from the center" of Crans-Montana and perceived limited amenities, suggesting it might be better suited for guests who prefer a more secluded experience or who utilize the hotel's shuttle service.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms and recurring issues have been noted by guests:
- •Pool Supervision:** One guest suggested implementing a "time-lapse" for children at the pool to address potential concerns.
About Two Michelin Keys
Two Michelin Keys recognize hotels that provide an excellent stay experience. These properties stand out for their remarkable quality, distinctive character, and superior service that goes above and beyond expectations.
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