24 Best Hotels in Valais, Switzerland

Named for the owner's grandfather, a baron who discovered the village in the early 1900s, this luxury Relais & Châteaux hotel is packed with antiques and collectibles from old farmhouses and châteaux. Guest rooms, outfitted with hand-carved headboards and richly textured fabrics, are named for wildflowers. To work out those après-ski kinks, visit the spa's infinity pool, which offers a breathtaking view of the Alps. The epicurean Franco-Italian menu at La Table d'Adrien changes frequently and serves imaginative dishes like venison with hazelnuts and cherries in a blueberry-vinegar sauce, whereas the more classic Grenier serves seasonal comfort dishes and cheese specialties.

A former gondola station high above the village offers an idyllic, away-from-it-all oasis. The stone-covered 16-room hotel is simply decorated with pale wood, white linens, and small pops of color that let the huge picture windows take center stage. A rooftop pool and sweeping terrace means you can take in the panoramic views of the Rhône valley, Matterhorn, and Mont Blanc at every opportunity.

Built in the shape of mountain peaks, this classic hotel perched high on a hillside above Montana has been refurbished in a contemporary style that's purposefully understated to let the views take center stage. Tasteful touches include modern art on the walls and marble and wood accents throughout the hotel; though room decor is on the standard side, it's enlivened by a touch of plaid on the chairs and curtains. Four restaurants offer everything from casual bar food to Alpine specialties to elegant fare with an Asian touch. The spa, built with wood and natural stone, is the largest in Crans-Montana and has a heated swimming pool and large gym—again with glorious views.

In the center of town, this wood-chalet hotel has some of the best views around, an appealing spa area, and a fine choice of on-site restaurants. Rooms have an intoxicating blend of chandeliers, rustic woods, and cozy furnishings. As for amenities, they can be mixed—generous seating areas in some, tight built-in nooks in others; whirlpool baths versus standard tubs—so quiz the reservationist to ensure you get the room you want. The array of restaurants is scrumptious, ranging from the folksy, painted-wood extravaganza that is Cäsar Ritz to a Tuscan-style trattoria. The ambience is nearly more tempting than the food. The wellness area with mock grotto pool and waterfall has a nude sauna and unique steam and spa treatments.

A mountain retreat since the late 1800s, and a member of Swiss Historic Hotels, the designer setting of this stately mansion perched above St-Luc's main thoroughfare mixes antiques and collectibles with sepia photos, rippled mirrors, orchids, and fur pillows—the handiwork of the woman who owns the hotel with her husband. Stepping-stones lead to the wrought-iron entry, and floors creak and window frames sigh in cozy guest quarters, which have hung on to their character through various updates. Gourmet dining is part of the top-drawer ambience (in the winter, a nightly five-course dinner is included if you stay four nights or longer), as is an ultramodern, grottolike pool and spa.

This resort hits the trifecta: comfortable American-style accommodations, impeccable Swiss service, and warm Brazilian hospitality. The lavishly appointed property, owned by Brazilian hotelier Nati Felli and her Swiss husband, Giancarlo, is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Outside, sweeping views of the Alps form the backdrop of the leafy 9-hole Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course. Inside, the high-tech rooms are big enough to samba in, and faux-fur-topped king-size beds are a delightfully fluffy spot to collapse. Rooms include air-conditioning and humidification—very unusual in the Alps. There's also a full-service spa, a fitness area with cutting-edge equipment, and a sleek pool with a sexy peekaboo window into the sauna. The hotel is rich in unique amenities including a large kids' playroom, billiard room, cigar lounge, and 15-seat theater. But the restaurant's wraparound terrace, where guests gather to watch the pinkish alpenglühen (the Swiss version of the northern lights), is the big draw.

Ski legend Art Furrer returned to his village and became the recreational and hospitality backbone of the community. Perched on a ledge with panoramic views, the multibuilding complex combines a traditional hotel with newer structures connected by covered walkways. Dining areas satisfy demi-pension and à la carte diners.

This family-run country inn is draped in a profusion of geraniums in summertime and bundled in snowbanks in winter. Guest rooms are walled in pine and larch, with carved furniture and mounds of white linen on the beds. Hikers and skiers gather on the porch or near the stone hearth in the dining room for raclette bubbling off the open fire. Ask the owner, who's an experienced mountain guide and photographer, to show you some of his work; it leaves you breathless.

Behind the graceful, shuttered facade of this historic hotel, you'll find an ideal balance between modern convenience and history in the original ceiling moldings and Victorian dining hall. Alexander Seiler founded the Monte Rosa, expanding it over the years to its current size. This was the home base of Edward Whymper when he conquered the Matterhorn in 1865, and, not surprisingly, the establishment is a member of Swiss Historic Hotels. Rooms feature impeccable, soft-toned decor; southern views go quickly and cost more. The bar is an après-ski must. The pool and health facilities are shared with sister hotel Mont Cervin, and you can take advantage of the hotel group's dine-around plan for an extra charge.

With the friendliness that comes from a family-run establishment, this chalet-style guesthouse is set on a quiet street overlooking the village and houses one of the best restaurants in town. The recently renovated rooms are bathed in buttery yellows and soft pinks, with comfy beds. There's exceptionally warm service from bubbly and genuine proprietress Evelyne Beckert-Grichting, who can be seen making the rounds in the restaurant, chatting with the guests in multiple languages. The rustic restaurant dishes up Valaisan meat dishes, raclettes, and fondues complemented by excellent regional and Bordeaux wines. Rates include a breakfast buffet and six-course gourmet dinner, as well as three hours in the Alpentherme baths, use of the Torrent and Gemmi cable cars in the summer, and other perks. The sprawling terrace has great mountain views and is home to frequent live music.

In a town known for blocklike towers, this petite Relais & Châteaux–listed auberge stands out with its preserved wooden facade, plush lobby, and inviting fireplace. The roomy suite-apartments—great for families or large groups—have a warm feel with polished wood floors, stucco walls, balconies, fireplaces, and jetted tubs. The elegant restaurant, L'Ours Gastronomique, draws a chic crowd, thanks to chef Franck Reynaud's superb French seasonal dishes like almond-roasted lamb with apricot reduction; book well in advance for a table. Spa L'Alpage is a prime spot to rejuvenate after a day of skiing or hiking the trails; there's even a children's spa for the 6- to 14-year-olds.

Located high above Crans-Montana's luxury-shop-lined streets, this Alpine-meets-contemporary hotel remains a chic perch for deep-pocketed travelers. Rooms come in a variety of global mountain themes, from Morocco's Atlas Mountains to Italy's Dolomites, and include plasma TVs, window shades that rise at the touch of a button, fireplaces, and jetted bathtubs. The fully loaded LeSpa Cinq Mondes features a sleek indoor and outdoor pool and administers numerous wraps, masks, and massages.

When it first opened in 1834, this Relais & Châteaux hotel received tourists on the "Grand Tour" through Europe; now it plays to those who want des vacances cocooning (pampered downtime) in an exclusive setting with its own lovely outdoor thermal pool. There's a lot of white in the decor, which mixes a tasseled-drapery period look with harmonious modern touches. All rooms include a balcony or terrace, and spacious suites have separate living areas with electric fireplaces and flat-screen TVs. Seasonal Mediterranean-inspired food paired with a strong selection of Valaisan wines is served in the Malvoisie restaurant. In the bar it's a pianist, not a DJ, providing the music. Completing the soothing atmosphere is the hotel's thermal spa and beauty center, with its indoor pool, hot-stone therapy, massages, wraps, and body peels—and its pièce de résistance, the outdoor 36ºC (97ºF) waters, where you can relax without the crowds found at the city's public baths.

The central location and luxurious setting help this Zermatt grande dame stand out, with rooms divided between the main building and connecting annexes. Accommodations are elegant, with woodsy chalet-style touches in keeping with the mountain location. Since the hotel is named after the iconic peak (in French, naturally), most rooms have Matterhorn views. The main restaurant has a light, modern ambience with dishes to match. There are also more casual lunch and dinner options, Grill Le Cervin and Ristorante Capri, a Michelin-rated Italian restaurant open only in winter. Half-board arrangements are available. The hotel reserves covered parking in and transportation from Täsch.

Nevaï is an old-fashioned word for "snow" in some remote villages, but this sleek, contemporary hotel's name is the only thing about it that isn't up-to-the-minute. The perfect choice for vacationing cosmopolites who want in-room Bose speakers, flat-screen TVs, a restaurant and bar, and a spa, it also offers picture-perfect Alpine views out the large windows (including those in all rooms). One of the hottest places in town to party—it's also home to the legendary Verbier dance venue Farm Club—this centrally located hotel ticks all the cool-kid boxes.

This sophisticated glass-and-steel hotel on the hillside above the Kirchplatz not only has great service and superlative town and mountain views, but is an engineering marvel, a sleek standout in a village of traditional hoteliers. You'll feel like James Bond as a private tunnel leads through a cave to the secure elevator, where you are whisked to the contemporary lobby, decorated invitingly with a stone fireplace and modern furnishings. With great Matterhorn vistas from decks and balconies, some of the luxurious guest rooms also have fireplaces, jetted tubs, and saunas, and all have a complimentary snifter of Scotch. The elegant restaurant offers tasting menus (including a vegetarian option) with avant-garde takes on Swiss dishes, such as "Birchermüesli" made of foie gras; the bar is an equally sleek place to sip cocktails. Chill out in the wellness area's indoor-outdoor pool, multiple steam rooms, sauna, and outdoor whirlpool with Matterhorn views, perfect for relaxing post-ski or hike.

Sitting at 7,290 feet amid open fields and dense forests, this mountaintop option has direct views of the Matterhorn—especially breathtaking in the orange glow of early morning. Guest rooms have enchantingly stylish Heidi-esque woodwork, rich fabrics, sumptuous sofas, and whirlpool tubs. Dining options within the Riffelalp range from a wood-paneled restaurant and a stone-trimmed tavern to a terrace. Bliss out with chilling footbaths and organic saunas in the spa, which is crowned by an indoor pool that is a whirlpool extravaganza and an outdoor pool that is Europe's highest.

This hotel has the town's best spa, not to mention lofty views of the mountains and glaciers, and the rates include a six-course dinner in addition to breakfast. Rooms are spacious and simple, but some more elaborate suites feature whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. The relaxing Alpine spa features a series of saunas and steam baths, as well as a hot tub, swimming pool, fitness room, and two private suites called "Barrique" and "Emotion." The glass-enclosed relaxation room is particularly nice, with great views. There's a SF25 per person discount per day if you take dinner elsewhere.

Sleeping under the roof of the Olympic medalist Pirmin Zurbriggen's hotel may not make you a better skier, but the view elicits dreams of starting gates and downhill races. Flexible configurations with fully stocked kitchenettes sleep a couple or expand to include a pack of friends. Near the cable car to the Matterhorn's glacier paradise, this ultramodern larch-wood-and-glass structure has plenty of amenities, including flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and Nespresso machines in every room.

Saas-Fee's oldest hotel has embraced a winning mixture of old and new with a clean but rustic design. A recent refurbishment made sure that big picture windows that fling open to incredible views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The charming rooms include exposed wood beams, fluffy duvets topping the beds, and sparkling, modern bathrooms. Seven newer wellness rooms include a sauna or jetted tub. If that weren't enough, super-strong Wi-Fi signals, lighting controlled by iPad, and warm, sensible service sweeten the deal.

This cozy, family-run charmer, a five-minute walk from the main train station, offers both a convenient location and friendly service that have helped make it a favorite since its opening in 1896. Individually designed rooms are accented with burnished wood and include balconies. A mini-spa with a hot tub, steam room, and sauna is just the thing you need after a day on the slopes. A restaurant serves local cheeses, fondue, raclette, and fondue Chinoise (meat cooked in broth).