Late Checkout: How to Spend Summer in an Alpine Town, Featuring a Blissful Swiss Resort

Late Checkout is TQE's travel vertical. Whether you're seeking an Eat Pray Love moment of your own, or a wholesome family sojourn, we hope you embark on an adventure requisite of a late checkout below.

Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web's best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.

The day after Switzerland was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I boarded a plane heading towards the mountainous country. (Vibes were still pretty good on the ground, despite the defeat.) Crans-Montana, where I stayed, is known for being a luxe ski town (which was added to the Epic Pass lineup in the past couple years). Despite my own questions about what in the world to do during the summer in a place like that, I left with new adventurous stories under my belt. For travelers who appreciate fine dining, exquisite wines, the Swiss mélange of cultures, and unforgettable natural scenes, Guarda Golf Hotel will offer an ideal sanctuary. 

I spent five days and four nights at the Crans-Montana-located property this summer, and they were some of the most restorative days I've had in a while. It wasn't just that the family-operated hotel is beautiful, that the rooms are pretty, and that the food is delicious. Guarda Golf is a true oasis. The views are as immaculate during the day as they are during the night. I could taste how fresh the air was, especially compared to the New York City smog I know too well. Ahead, I explain everything to know about how to get there, who’s behind the Michelin Key property, the room I stayed in, the wellness offerings, what to do in the area, and what to do on-site.

Getting There:

If you’re coming from the U.S., it’ll be easiest to fly into Zurich and then take a three-ish-hour car transfer from the airport to the property. Flying into Geneva also works, though the airport is smaller and may be more challenging to find a good flight. (The hotel can help organize this, too.) Though you can get to the property by public transportation—via an intercity Zurich train, scenic route to Sierre, then a funicular or bus that goes up towards the town—cars are most convenient.

For anyone already in Europe, the same route through Zurich or Geneva can work, but so can departing from Milan. Either drive from the Italian hub or take a Trenitalia train to Switzerland's Brig station, then a local Swiss train to Sierre, and then a regional bus directly to Crans-Montana.

The Property:

Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences is a family run spot, owned by Brazil-born entrepreneur Nati Felli and her Swiss husband Giancarlo Felli. (Their daughter, Giulia Felli, also helps run the operation.) It opened in 2009 with a timeless design that still feels right nearly two decades later. The property has 23 rooms, including junior suites, and six exclusive suite apartments, which range from one to three bedrooms and come equipped with kitchens. Across from the main hotel building is the second part of the hotel’s official name: the residences. There are several privately-owned residences, which still come with the perks of hotel living (i.e. room service and housekeeping).

When you pull up to Guarda Golf, there’s a wall of plaques on the way in, boasting its titles and awards, including being a Leading Hotel of the World, having 14 Gault & Millau points for its on-site Restaurant FIVE, and earning two Michelin Keys. Inside, the building, amenities, and staff prove why. The nightly rate ranges anywhere from just less than $1,000 to a bit under $2,000 for standard rooms, depending on the season. All stays include a top-notch buffet breakfast, unlimited spa access, and free transfers around town. Room service is around the clock, and the multilingual staff is welcoming and ready to help with whatever you need. 

The Room:

The first thing I noticed when I walked into my deluxe room was its homeliness and spaciousness. Warm woods and green accents brought the cozy chalet vibe to life. My room was skillfully arranged to make that 40-square meters feel just as big as they sound. The bathroom had two sinks, a multimodal shower, and a soaking tub that I made use of at least a couple times during my stay. In the hallway, leading up to the main room, a few closet compartments made unpacking easy. The bed was the kind of comfy you dream of when traveling. I couldn’t claim jet lag after my first night sinking into it. The TV on the wall across was nice, though I admittedly rarely used it since I stuck to doomscrolling (and reading… occasionally!) before bed. 

Room service was superb, including options for many dietary restrictions. My personal favorites, as a vegetarian, included the plant-based meat burger and the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup combo. 

The highlight of the room has to be the views of the Swiss Alps from the balcony. It made for an especially satisfying place to chow down room service or stargaze off of its jutting ledges, all while using the Night Sky app to decipher the dots above.

The Spa and Fitness:

Guarda Golf has one of the most beautiful spas I’ve seen across my global travels. All in all, this, including the fitness area, was one of my favorite things about the property. 

There are cardio machines like treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals, in addition to free weights, a snazzy Technogym Kinesis, and an indoor golf simulator. (Good practice before going out onto the green for a novice like me.) My favorite part, however, was the sauna. The perfectly pool-blue water sits in a clean line against natural stone, contrasted by a window peeking into the sauna’s little orange glow. Inside felt as relaxing as the space is well-designed. The steam room was also swanky, though I spent less time in there. Of course, there are a suite of spa services, like massages and facials with high-end skincare brands like La Colline and KOS Paris.

I have to give bonus points for the spa being accessible whenever. Some hotels and resorts don’t grant you access to spa facilities, like their sauna or hot tub, unless you have a treatment booked. This always drives me nuts. Being a guest is enough at Guarda Golf, and you can go (complimentary) as many times as you please.

What to Do While Staying at Guarda Golf:

Guarda Golf is one of those hotels where you should spend some days fully on-property, just luxuriating in all it has to offer, and some days exploring the nearby attractions and activities. I found it best to take a day or day and a half recovering from the travels before setting out for a little adventure in town. I already waxed poetic about the spa, so that’d be my first recommendation. Yes, there's a 15-seater private cinema room, cigar lounge, library, and billiard room, but there are some more exciting trimmings, too.

• The luxury hotel has golf in the name for good reason. It not only tends to partner with the annual Omega European Masters tournament, but Guarda Golf has its own 9-hole course for guests to use and a handful of related services. (For amateurs like me, there’s also an option to take golf lessons.)
• The afternoon tea feels like a perfect activity for couples, family, or friend groups as a cute way to indulge in all the hotel has to offer culinarily. You’ll get an array of prettily arranged sandwiches, hearty scones, and delicate pastries, paired with tea (including matcha!) or coffee. It’s available every day between 3pm and 6pm. Chic supper, anyone? 
• Since I visited during the summer, I didn't get to indulge in any skiing, but I know this is another big reason people visit. Winter services at Guarda Golf include complimentary transfers to the slopes, help with ski passes, gear rentals, and more.
• Restaurant FIVE is truly phenomenal for dinner. The Mediterranean-style menu has everything from hummus to hot pitas. I noticed the wagyu and grilled octopus dishes were popular across tables. After eating here, some dessert and a sweeter white wine made for a good nightcap.

Around the Area:

Before getting to the hotel, I always wondered, what does one do in an alpine town during the summer? After all, Crans-Montana’s population ebbs and flows through the seasons, as travelers come and go, especially for skiing during winter months. But, I discovered, it’s an increasingly year-round destination with plenty to do when it’s warm.

There’s good hiking not far from the hotel in the Aminona area. I tried out a trail in the area—equipped with just a NikeSkims playsuit, Salomon XT-Whispers, and Barbour jacket—which hit two birds in one stone: I got my steps in and got breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. Make sure to check for weather though, especially if you’re visiting during a rainy season. It started thunderstorming when, mid-hike, which led my group to take shelter at Alpage du Sex Restaurant (and fuel up on some apricot tart) before we ended up having to run down the mountain to our car as lightning struck closer and closer. While I’m no adrenaline junkie, I admittedly didn’t mind feeling like Lara Croft after a lifetime of playing Tomb Raider.

For recreational shoppers, there’s a lot to work with. Crans-Montana is home to a roster of luxury stores like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Loro Piana, and Audemars Piguet. For vintage lovers, there’s also the Annick A. Luxury Second Hand fashion depot, which is a five minute walk at most from Guarda Golf. And… maybe it’s not what you had in mind when I said shopping, but do some grocery shopping, too. Pop into a Coop location to peruse how Swiss locals grocery shop, and pick up a bag of paprika chips and Ovomaltine chocolate spread. 

I wouldn’t miss a visit to Saint-Léonard, an underground lake with the most crystalline waters you may ever see. It’s the largest natural and navigable underground lake in Europe. Tickets are only $15 for a 30-minute boat trip across its length. The cherry on top? It's only about a half-hour drive from the hotel.

It’s worth noting that the town is rebuilding this year, after a tragic bar fire early morning on New Year’s Day 2026, which claimed the lives of 41 people and injured more than a hundred. While walking around town, I saw a couple memorials dedicated to the victims and it still felt fresh on the minds of people there. But the town’s economy runs on tourism. Local businesses are being mindful but are still eager to welcome visitors back.

The Verdict:

Hotels like Guarda Golf are the kind that make me go through my camera roll for nostalgic scrolls, even if they can never replicate the exact feeling of being there. There was nothing like waking up in a cloud of a bed and looking out onto snow-capped peaks across a long valley… or, on the flip side, drinking a glass of Petite Arvine while staring up at the stars after a day of sweating in the sauna or shopping at the consignment store around the corner. Nearby activities were just as exciting, from the underground lake to fondue and tastings of locally grown wines. While I only saw it in summer, I know it transforms into a ski hotspot during the winter. No wonder so many couples and families relish in staying here.

The hotel briefly closes during the spring and fall, during October, November, April, and May. This leaves the door open for visits across winter, spring, summer, and early fall, with a handful of blackout dates. Having seen it shine in the summer, I feel a hunger to see it in the winter all the same… though I’ll have to up my slope skills before then.