Immersive Experiences Active Luxury Experiences in Switzerland
Intro
Modern luxury is increasingly about active discovery – experiencing a destination first-hand while combining adventure with comfort and access that goes beyond the ordinary. In Switzerland, this can mean exploring the Alps by e-bike, sailing across Lake Maggiore, playing a championship golf course or spending time in a historic mountain hut.
Intro
The experiences featured here take guests onto the water, the fairway and into the mountains, as well as into the worlds of art and wellbeing. Expert guidance, personalised service and privileged access add another dimension, offering different ways to engage with Switzerland and discover its landscapes, people and traditions from a new perspective.
The Chedi Andermatt
Intro
The Chedi Andermatt combines contemporary Alpine architecture with Asian-inspired design in the heart of the Ursern Valley. Its location makes the hotel a natural base for exploring the surrounding mountains, while its spa provides a counterpoint to active days outdoors.
Luxury Alpine E-Bike Ascent
Explore the mountain landscape around Andermatt by e-mountain bike, following Alpine trails through the surrounding high country and taking in panoramic views along the way.
After the ride, the focus shifts from activity to recovery at The Chedi Andermatt. The signature Alpine Massage is a restorative full-body treatment designed to relax tired muscles and restore balance, making wellbeing a natural conclusion to the day in the mountains.
Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences Crans-Montana
Intro
Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences sits on the sunny plateau of Crans-Montana, overlooking the Rhône Valley. Golf is central to its location: the hotel lies close to one of Switzerland’s best-known courses and complements it with its own indoor practice facilities and short-game areas.
Golf on Top with a Golf Butler
Play the Ballesteros Championship Course with the practical details taken care of by a personal Golf Butler. Green fees and a private golf cart are included, while the Golf Butler prepares the equipment and provides refreshments during the day.
Guests also have access to the hotel’s indoor practice facilities as well as its chipping and putting greens before heading onto the course. From preparation to the final hole, the practical side of the day is taken care of, leaving them to concentrate on the game.
Hotel Eden Roc, Ascona
Intro
Set directly on Lake Maggiore, Hotel Eden Roc combines extensive waterfront grounds with its own marina and direct access to the water. As Switzerland’s only true beach resort, the hotel makes the lake an integral part of a stay in Ascona rather than simply a backdrop.
The Sailors Club
Take to Lake Maggiore aboard a sailing boat with an experienced local skipper. The route leads across the lake towards hidden bays and picturesque villages, accompanied by stories about Ascona and life around the water.
From the boat, the shoreline, villages and mountains reveal a different side of Lake Maggiore, with the hotel’s marina offering direct access to the lake and its surroundings.
Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne
Intro
Surrounded by four hectares of gardens on the shores of Lake Geneva, Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne brings together Belle Époque architecture, contemporary hospitality, gastronomy and wellbeing. Art and craftsmanship also play a role in the hotel’s programme, extending its scope beyond a conventional spa stay.
The Imagine Experience
During a two-night stay in a Signature Suite overlooking Lake Geneva, guests encounter Imagine, a limited-edition creation by Géraldine Gonzales, presented in the suite as an artwork in its own right. Spa experts then introduce guests to the world of Guerlain.
The programme continues with the signature “Ballet sur le Léman” treatment, a bespoke bathing ritual and a fragrance created exclusively for Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne. Art, scent and wellbeing thus unfold as different parts of the same stay.
Gstaad Palace, Gstaad
Intro
High above Gstaad, the Gstaad Palace has been part of the resort’s landscape for generations. Beyond its distinctive castle-like architecture, the hotel has close ties to the traditions and mountain culture of the Saanenland – a connection that becomes particularly tangible away from the village.
The Walig Hut
At 1,700 metres above Gstaad, the historic Walig Hut offers a striking contrast to the Palace below. The preserved Alpine hut is surrounded by panoramic views of the Saanenland and can be visited for lunch or dinner, with the option of staying overnight.
Simple surroundings, local flavours and the tranquillity of the location are central to its appeal. Spending time here offers a glimpse of traditional Swiss mountain life away from the familiar surroundings of a luxury hotel.
Crans Ambassador, Crans-Montana
Intro
At Crans Ambassador Hotel & Spa, the Alpine panorama remains present throughout the property, from its terraces and public spaces to the pool overlooking the peaks. Its position above Crans-Montana lends itself naturally to days spent outdoors, with quieter moments waiting back at the hotel.
Equestrian Morning at Lake Moubra
The morning begins with a private horseback ride along the trails around Lake Moubra. After the ride, guests cross the lake by pedal boat to a private floating deck, where breakfast is served amid the surrounding Alpine landscape.
Later, guests can spend time on the hotel’s Terrasse Valaisanne or at the panoramic pool, while dinner at La Muña brings Japanese and Peruvian flavours to the evening. The concierge can arrange further ways to explore Crans-Montana and its surroundings.
Villars Palace, Villars
Intro
Dating from 1913, Villars Palace combines the character of a historic grand hotel with a contemporary approach to hospitality and wellbeing. Following its renovation, the mountains are once again at the centre of a stay here, with the Villars Alpine Spa offering recovery after active days outdoors.
Cycling the Vaud Alps
Premium Bianchi road bikes provide the starting point for exploring the mountain routes around Villars and the Vaud Alps. Guests can ride independently or head out with an expert guide, choosing their preferred way to discover the region by bike.
For additional support, Grand Tours Project can accompany the ride with a support vehicle, while every bike rental includes a curated kit with a tote bag. Back in Villars, the Alpine Spa, dining and the hotel’s mountain surroundings offer a change of pace after a day on the road.