Why go?
If it’s luxury in the Swiss Alps you’re looking for then this should be your base, and The Swiss Hotel Association has also awarded it a Family Hotel Seal of Approval.
The ski area of San Spiert has pistes and toboggan runs, while Diavolezza has a fun set of challenges such ice climbing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In the summer, there are hiking trails, bike paths, a fixed rope park and a new adventure pool to enjoy the scenery.
Who is it good for?
If you’re an active family with teenagers, then this is an ideal location, with plenty of summer and winter activities to keep you all entertained.
If you have young children and are eager to enjoy some holiday activities alone, then you can’t go wrong with this hotel, given the all-day babysitting service and kids’ clubs that will give parents the freedom to have a few child-free afternoons, evenings or full days.
Activities
The club is split into three distinct areas; an indoor playground complete with climbing wall, a modelling and creativity corner, and a hi-tech area for older kids with internet access, Nintendo-Wii, table football, and pinball machines.
A weekly programme of activities is also offered, which includes drawing, crafting, baking and – in summer – outdoor activities, as well as themed sessions to reflect the time of year. For example, the Easter programme will include modelling Easter bunnies, baking special Easter bread and an Easter Egg hunt.
Aside from the Krönchen Club, the hotel also has a table tennis and billiards room, as well as an old traditional wooden bowling alley, and, in winter, its own natural ice rink, right outside the spa.
Children also have their own swimming pool within the Kronenhof Spa, complete with a water slide and other water features. The use of the saunas and the Jacuzzi, however, are reserved for children over the age of 14 years.
Food: Children can eat in their dedicated Rondelle restaurant from 6.30-7.00pm, with the hotel nanny, giving parents time to get ready for their own dinner.
Kids’ club: At the Krönchen Club, kids as young as three years old are taken care of by the hotel’s fully-trained nanny, who organises age-appropriate activities.
In winter, the nanny supervises young guests from Tuesday to Sunday, from 4pm until 9pm, and – on request – from 9am to 12pm; the same hours are available during summer on request.
The lowdown
How to get there: Swiss flies from London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham International, Manchester and Dublin to Switzerland; from £89 return. A Swiss transfer pass for a return train ticket from Zurich to Pontresina, costs £90. Make sure you book in advance online at swisstravelsystem.co.uk.
Travel time: A flight from London to Zurich takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. A train from Zurich to Pontresina takes 3 hours and 20 minutes.
The hotel: Many of Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s bedrooms can be joined by connecting doors and families booking two double rooms receive a 30% discount on the second room (if occupied by children up to the age of 14).
Cots can be placed in bedrooms upon request and other items, such as baby monitors, kettles, potties and nappies can all be provided.
For a seven night stay, prices are from £965 per person.