Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a transatlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
Crans-Montana may be lesser known than some of its Swiss Alpine neighbors—but it’s the lack of that glitzy, see-and-be-seen vibe in towns like Gstaad and St. Moritz that lends it a unique, laid-back charm. (This corner of the Alps is where Europeans go for seriously great skiing, with 140 kilometers of pistes catering to every level of ability.) So when the Six Senses brand announced they were launching a new property in the town, nestled in the peaks of the French-speaking canton of Valais, the interest of luxury travel obsessives was piqued.
And while the hotel certainly doesn’t disappoint on the skiing front—there’s a ski-in, ski-out entrance and a rental shop within the property itself—the spa is an equally dazzling crown jewel. Spread across two floors and 2,000 square meters, its wide-ranging offering encompasses everything from ancient Alpine healing to the latest in biohacking technology; the latter is offered in a labyrinthine room with gadgets spanning everything from lymphatic drainage systems to full-body LED light therapy machines to compression boots, best enjoyed in tandem with a massage lounger that is timed to the subconsciously soothing binaural beats that are pumped through a pair of headphones. It’s a wonderland for those looking to try the latest and most outré advances within the ever-evolving world of wellness.
What’s the vibe?
The brand new hotel may have opened just two years ago, but it has the warm, inviting feeling of a classic Swiss ski institution. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted in the subterranean welcome area—and invited to select one of the traditional bells hanging on the wall to ring and mark your intention for the week ahead—before being whizzed up to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the lobby, through which you can see the steam rising off the outdoor pool. The rooms and suites are a masterclass in sleek Alpine style, with larch and oak wood paneling, artfully dimmed lighting, and enormous quartzite stone-clad bathrooms with tubs for a post-ski soak—and every single one has a terrace from which you can enjoy the sweeping views across the valley. (Also worth noting? The impressive array of dining options, which range from an excellent Japanese restaurant Byakko to healthier riffs on Swiss classics at the rustic Wild Cabin—don’t miss the Sunday brunch at the latter, with its heaving platters of locally produced cold cuts and cheeses.)
But back to the spa: The centerpiece is a gorgeously designed indoor pool area that features thousands of shimmering light rods hanging from the ceiling like minimalist stalactites, and a glass gate that opens up for you to swim through to the great outdoors; surrounding it are loungers and cabana-style private areas to sip freshly brewed blends of detox herbal teas or fruit- and herb-infused waters from the health bar next door. Head deeper into the rabbit warren of corridors, and you’ll find an array of saunas—everything from Finnish to Himalayan salt—which form part of a thermodynamic circuit that also includes a hammam and a cold plunge. The hardest part? Deciding which order to do it all in.
The history?
The wellness-focused hospitality brand Six Senses has been going since the ’90s, but their Crans-Montana outpost marks their first attempt at a ski-spa concept. The brand’s illustrious reputation and history means that the wellness offering here comes with some serious bona fides, and they’ve clearly taken great delight in translating their signature treatments for hardcore skiers.
What should you try?
If you’re visiting for more than a few days, it’s worth signing up for one of their robust rest and recovery packages, which begin with a 60-minute high-tech wellness screening and conclude with a check-in at the end to see how things have improved throughout your stay. Other highlights included a signature deep tissue massage, which began with a consultation in which the therapist decided hot stones along my wrists and forearms would be the perfect salve for soreness after clinging too tightly to my ski poles the day before, and a facial using products from Dr. Burgener Switzerland that settled down my ruddy complexion from the icy winds of the mountain. It’s the perfect place to retreat that also offers the opportunity to get active in the great outdoors.
How environmentally friendly is it?
In general, Six Senses is known for taking their environmental responsibilities seriously, and as the hotel is a recent build, there are myriad ways in which they’ve strived to reduce its impact. Within the spa, the pools use UV filters to reduce the need for chemical treatment, while it was constructed using almost entirely natural, local materials. Oh, and the entire place is powered using Swiss hydroelectricity and heated using a carbon-neutral wooden pellet system.
What else do we need to know?
Make sure to book in at the charming Alchemy Bar, where a local holistic wellness therapist will guide you through the process of making your own face masks and scrubs, selecting your favorite essential oils to make it. (Given I was in the Alps, I felt it was only appropriate to put some pine essence into mine.) Perfect for a post-dinner soak in your private tub.
John Athimaritis
Who can go?
The Six Senses Crans-Montana spa is free for hotel guests, though day passes are available for visitors for a fee.