Our region has talent: Elite Hotel

Did you grow up here or did you choose to live here later on?

I’m from the region, a true Chermignon native, and proud of it!

What are your interests? Are they closely or distantly related to your job?

They’re based around activities that you can do in the resort: cross-country skiing, hiking, golf and music (Echo des Bois brass band) are my hobbies in this little corner of paradise.

So you work for Hotel Elite. What brought you there? What makes you passionate about what you do?

My sisters and I were born into this business, and always used to help our parents with it. I like this job because of its many different facets. Even though when I was younger I didn’t think I would take over the hotel, today I couldn’t see myself in any other profession! I’m passionate about people, I love the contact with clients, and everyone I meet takes me on a journey.

What is special about your hotel and what do you think makes you different from others?

We’re proud to maintain a family spirit in the hotel. We consider guests as part of our family, and we’re often invited to weddings, birthdays, christenings. We also strive to offer a personal welcome to each guest that steps into our hotel. Every guest is treated as an individual and not as a "room number", and we do our utmost to make every guest feel as comfortable here as they would at home.

What is the story behind your business?

It’s quite a story! Our dad built the hotel in 1959, and worked here with our mum for 50 years. Having 3 daughters, the hotel was their "son" and our "brother", an integral part of the family, which we now take care of, carrying on the tradition. In 2018, we completely renovated the hotel to give it a more modern look, while still keeping the family spirit that is unique to us.

What are you trying to bring to your customers via your hotel?

Of course we try to anticipate their wishes, and give them the best advice, and this is the basis of my job. My aim is also to be there for them, listen to them, give them the best advice by suggestions amongst the many sports or cultural and gastronomic activities, and to ensure that they have a good time.

How has this very peculiar Covid period been for you? Did it directly affect you? How did you have to adapt?

The situation was not easy with all the measures that had to be put into place. We had to adapt the way we work and change our organisation. The crisis brought us a new Swiss clientele who didn’t know the region, and who have appreciated the resort and are ready to return to stay again. For several years now, bookings have not been planned in advance, and we strongly felt this in the pandemic. We had to juggle with very last minute bookings. We also suffered a lot from group and conference cancellations, and this took its toll on morale. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and seeing people smiling, happy to be here is the greatest reward.

What motivates you to work in Crans-Montana? In your eyes, what are its strengths?

As I’m in love with the region, I couldn’t have gone anywhere else! I love the openness of the Haut-Plateau region, the landscape, the nature, the sunshine and the atmosphere of a big village where everyone knows each other, and where you can find everything (or almost everything) for all tastes and for all budgets. The access to nature, just a few minutes away from the centre of the resort, and the work that is done for the guests here makes it a really ideal destination.

What’s your favourite place in Crans-Montana, your secret spot?

We have a ‘mayen’ (mountain chalet) at Menthary (just above Plans-Mayens) that is a haven of peace, where I find a sense of bliss. I have lots of childhood memories of going to see the cows and playing here, and it’s also the place that we meet up with our cousins.

What’s your best memory in Crans-Montana?

There are so many... I love the popular convivial events like 1st August, where everyone gets together, regardless of who they are. Another example was the Federal Folk Music Festival in 2019, when we welcomed a different clientele, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Crans-Montana was full of smiling people on every street corner, and this festival showed a different image of the resort. Crans-Montana is capable of organising high-level sporting events, congresses, as well as hosting celebrities and even creating a grassroots atmosphere in keeping with Swiss traditions.

What would you like to see develop in Crans-Montana?

Evening entertainment for the over 40s, as well as more events at the bandstand and the Orangery during the day, as they’re important landmarks in the centre of Crans and Montana.

For more information about Elite Hotel, visit the website elite-hotel.com

And you’ll find a list of the many different accommodation options in the Crans-Montana region here.