Gasthaus Crestasee
An 1892 lakeside inn in the forest below Flims, 45 minutes' walk from the lifts
About this hotel
Set in Flims, Gasthaus Crestasee provides a welcoming base for mountain adventures. The family rooms are designed for comfort, offering serene garden or lake views, and each comes with a private bathroom and plush bathrobes, ensuring a relaxing stay after a day on the slopes or exploring the trails. The inn's restaurant is a focal point, serving a delightful array of local and European dishes, perfect for refueling. Evenings can be spent unwinding at the bar or enjoying the fresh mountain air on the terrace. Mornings begin with a hearty continental or à la carte breakfast, featuring local specialties, cheeses, fruits, and juices, setting guests up for the day ahead. Free WiFi keeps everyone connected, and the overall atmosphere is one of relaxed alpine charm.
- Guest house on the Crestasee since 1892
- Lake that usually freezes from December to March
- 3.3 km forest path to the Flims valley station
- Bus stop Felsbach-Crestasee a short walk away
- Restaurant, bar and lakeside terrace
- Family rooms, some with lake views
Our take
Gasthaus Crestasee has stood on the north shore of the Crestasee since 1892, when it opened as a pension, and the forest around it is part of the debris of the Flims rockslide. It is not a ski hotel: the valley station of the Flims lifts is 3.3 km away, about 45 minutes on foot through the woods, or a bus ride from the Felsbach-Crestasee stop. What you get is silence, a frozen lake from roughly December to March and a guest score of 9.4. I would book it for a quiet couple, not for a family skiing every day.
- Walk to the lifts once for the experience: the marked path from the Flims valley station climbs no higher than 1,084 m and takes about 45 minutes in winter boots.
- On ski days use the Felsbach-Crestasee bus stop on the main road, a short path from the inn, and check the return times to Flims before you set out.
- Finish on the 13 km valley run from La Siala down to Flims, the longest descent of the LAAX area, then take the bus back to the lake.
- Ask for a room facing the lake: from December the frozen surface below the windows is the reason to stay here rather than in the village.
Why we love it
- Comfortable family rooms with views
- Delicious local and European cuisine
- Relaxed bar and terrace for evenings
- Hearty breakfast with local specialties
Why guests love itI see this inn as a counterweight to the busy LAAX base areas rather than a substitute for them. The ski area above is large, 216 km of slopes and 25 lifts between 1,100 m and 3,018 m, but everything starts from the Flims valley station, and from the lake that means a bus or a 45-minute walk each way. Couples who ski half days, cross the forest on foot and want dinner in a restaurant that has kept its old character will like it. Families with small children and ski bags will find the daily logistics tiring. Guests score it 9.4 out of 10 across 23 reviews, a small sample but a consistent one.