Montagne Alternative

A calm, beautiful alpine place with a lovely view, good food, and good service. It’s a great spot to pause and recharge, with several hiking trails starting right there. The internet connection is good too, if you need it.

The breakfast was wonderful: fresh juices, excellent local breads, fruit, cheese, and fantastic coffee, which matters a lot to me. The setting at Montagne Alternative is idyllic, with simple but beautiful rooms and spectacular mountain views. Staff were friendly from the moment we arrived, and the service was top-notch. We were disappointed, though, with both dinners we ate there, one set menu and one à la carte. The ingredients seemed good, but the cooking didn’t meet our expectations. The chicken was overcooked and the dessert rather bland. My earlier dinner experiences there had been much better, so maybe we were just unlucky this time. We’ll still return and would highly recommend this special place.

The accommodation is first rate, with traditional Swiss village architecture and spectacular Alpine views. It’s a top spot in one of Switzerland’s most scenic mountain areas. Italy is a short drive away for a day trip, and St. Bernard, homeplace of the St. Bernard breed, is nearby too.

The facilities and setting were excellent, but the service felt only satisfactory for the price. At dinner, nobody took our order, and a starter arrived that we hadn’t asked for. Halfway through the meal, we heard the waitress offer Fondue and other dishes to another table. We ordered white wine, but got no ice bucket, so it was warm by the end. Dinner choices were limited that first night to one starter, one main, and one dessert, and there could be more vegetarian options at dinner and breakfast. I also asked for a Gin Tonic, but the woman behind the bar didn’t know how to make one and there was no ice, so I gave up on it. I would have liked a massage, but 150chf seemed rather expensive, so I opted out.