I’m delighted to provide my recommended two centre itinerary in the French and Swiss Alps next June for four nights and two rounds of golf at the renowned resort of Evian, followed by three nights and two rounds of golf at Crans sur Sierre.
There are plenty of flights between Gatwick and Geneva and the cost will depend on exact holiday dates and two large hire cars are included in the cost. The drive from Geneva airport to Evian is just over an hour, and the drive to Geneva airport from Crans sur Sierre is a gorgeous drive of about two hours – down the mountains and then past Lausanne and Montreux. The courses are very local to both my recommended hotels, in fact both hotels run a free shuttle to the clubhouses. Private transfers from the airport to Evian, Evian to Crans sur Sierre and then Crans sur Sierre to Geneva Airport would be a very similar cost to hiring the cars and cars aren’t really necessary when you are at the actual resorts, although one might want to explore.
Evian sits on Lake Leman and the resort is well-recognised among Europe’s finest with superb facilities for pretty much every activity you can think of. Evian Resort boasts six restaurants, a renowned golf course (home to the Ladies’ Fifth Major), tennis centre, two spas, theatre and four pools and regular well-being classes and activity excursions.
Of the four hotels, I actually prefer the Ermitage as it’s cosier but you also have full access to the facilities at The Royal if you fancy a glamorous cocktail and dinner. The two hotels are 300 yards apart, across a wooded garden with fish pools. The resort now also owns Hotel La Veriaz which sits behind the Ermitage and is a more traditional “picture postcard” hotel and the boutique Le Manoir which houses ten bedrooms on the brilliant practice facilities. The resort Concierge service will take you to/from the golf course and main resort facilities. There is a private funicular which takes you down from the resort to Evian and the lake.
The region has warm weather during the summer but is never too hot thanks to the influence of the mountain range and lake. It never gets too cold either as it sits in the valley below the Mont Blanc mountain range and the lake keeps the climate temperate. The price is based on staying either at the Ermitage Deluxe South Facing bedrooms (23m2) as the Standard bedrooms are too small.
For your second hotel, Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences (pictured above) is a boutique and beautifully-appointed 25 bedroom hotel overlooking Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. There is a brasserie, lounge bar and very cosy Alps Bar as well as sensational views from the terrace. The hotel has a spa and runs free transfers into the centre of town and the golf club. It’s an exquisite upscale “hidden gem” that opens for about five months during the winter season and three months during the summer. The price is based on a Superior Corner bedroom with its atypical beamed ceiling and wooden floors. Everything within Crans sur Montana is walkable from the hotel and the resort is famous for its fine hotels and great restaurants.
Looking at availability, I’m suggesting June 2-9 as the flight prices are keen and the resort is full from mid June for a couple of weeks.
Pictured below is the Hotel Ermitage, Evian, the Evian Masters Golf Club and one of the hotel lounges
