Your stay — Cresta
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Davos.
The Property — Cresta
The Cresta is a no-nonsense 3-star hotel in central Davos with a functional, wood-panelled lobby that smells of pine and fresh linen. It suits skiers and summer hikers who want solid value, a generous Swiss breakfast buffet and direct bus access to the Parsenn lifts or lake promenade. There’s no pretension here – just clean rooms, a small sauna and a terrace with mountain views that doesn’t try too hard.
Chronicles of Davos
Davos began as a Walser farming settlement in the 13th century, but its modern identity was forged by two unlikely forces: tuberculosis sanatoriums in the 1800s and Thomas Mann’s novel *The Magic Mountain*, which immortalised the town as a place of healing. In the 20th century, it pivoted to winter sports, hosting the 1934 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, and later became the annual home of the World Economic Forum since 1971. Architecturally, it’s a mix of Belle Époque spa hotels and pragmatic 1960s blocks, with a contemporary cultural identity that balances elite conferences, family skiing and a growing summer mountain-biking scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Davos guide →Best months
July and August offer stable temperatures around 18°C, clear trails for hiking and fewer lift queues than ski season. September is also excellent for crisp air and golden larch forests.
Peak / festival surge
February–March is the ski peak, with Davos hosting the WEF in late January pushing up prices. Expect hotel rates to double. The annual Davos Festival in July adds a cultural bump but crowds remain moderate.
Budget shoulder season
June (pre-school holidays) and early October give 20–30% discounts, mild weather and empty trails. The larch colours in October are arguably better than autumn in New England.
Weather & packing
Davos sits at 1,560m, so even in June you can get snow flurries or strong solar UV. Pack a waterproof shell, sunblock above SPF 30 and a light fleece for evening chill.
Live City Briefing — Davos
- Davos railway station has completed its accessibility upgrade; direct ICE trains now connect to Zurich Airport in 2.5 hours.
- The new ‘Davos Klosters Mountains’ app integrates all lift, trail and bus timetables in real time – free to download.
- Several hiking huts have introduced cashless payments; carry a contactless card or Swiss Twint payment app.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Cresta, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on an upper floor, preferably at the end of a corridor, to reduce noise from lifts and foot traffic. South-facing rooms typically get more sunlight, which is welcome in a mountain resort.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby, restaurant, or bar—these can be noisy during breakfast and evening hours. Also skip rooms near the service elevator or housekeeping storage.
Best views
In a Swiss mountain resort like Davos, ask for a room with a view of the mountains (typically south or west), not the car park or rear alley. A higher floor improves the prospect.
Quietest floors
Upper floors (third floor and above in a typical 3-star building) are generally quieter, as they're further from street-level noise and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
3-star hotels often have thinner walls and less soundproofing than luxury properties. Earplugs can help if you're a light sleeper. Avoid rooms near ice machines, vending areas, or stairwell doors.
Insider tips
1. Request a room with a small balcony if available—even in winter, it's useful for fresh air and storing ski gear. 2. Check in early or call ahead to secure a quieter room by asking politely, as upgrades are sometimes possible without extra charge.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Cresta
Free, password provided at check-in. Speed ~40 Mbps down, 15 up. No login portal. No premium tier.
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers; no digital newsstand. TV in lobby shows Swiss-German news channels.
Check-in 15:00–22:00; bag drop from 10:00 at front desk. Late checkout (after 11:00) CHF 30 until 14:00, subject to availability. Weekend check-in 14:00–21:00.
Free at reception; no self-service lockers.
Two steps at main entrance (no ramp). Lift fits a standard wheelchair. No adapted bathrooms. Ground-floor room possible by request.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: 'Parkhaus Talstrasse' at 51 Talstrasse, CHF 18 per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 5.50 per person per night (includes local transport card)
Deposit & card hold: Credit card pre-authorisation for full stay amount; CHF 100 incidental hold per room at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Neuapostolische Kirche (65 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Herz-Jesu-Kirche (307 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Freie Evangelische Gemeinde (818 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: St. Theodul (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Rätia Center — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Pausenplatz — 801 m · ~10 min walk
Kirchner Museum — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Kulturplatz Davos — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Spielplatz Seehofseeli — 947 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 863 m · ~11 min walk
Amavita — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Coop Pronto — 769 m · ~10 min walk
Davos Kongress/Eisstadion — 525 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport and tourist bureaux as they charge high fees and poor rates.
Cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common in most shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Tipping is not mandatory; rounding up the bill or leaving small change (5-10%) is appreciated but not expected. Taxi drivers and hotel staff do not expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso at a café costs around 4-5 CHF.
A self-service supermarket sandwich or salad with a drink costs about 10-15 CHF; a fixed-price lunch at a bakery or small restaurant is 15-20 CHF.
A main course at a mid-range restaurant is 25-35 CHF; a pizza or pasta at a casual place is 18-25 CHF.
Limited street food; look for sausage stands or kebab shops near the train station or main square for quick meals under 15 CHF.
Coop, Migros, and Denner are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
Affordable high-street shopping is limited; try the Migros or Coop city stores for basic clothing; outlet villages are a bus ride away.
A day pass for Davos local buses costs around 8 CHF; the cheapest way from Zurich Airport is a train with a Supersaver ticket (from 25-35 CHF one-way).
Buy groceries at Migros or Coop instead of eating out; use the Davos guest card (often free from your hotel) for free bus rides and discounts; book train tickets in advance online for cheaper fares.
Good to know — Davos
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
DavosFor mountain rescue in Davos, dial 1414 (REGA) or 112 from a mobile. The local hospital is Spital Davos (Am Platz 1, +41 81 414 84 00). For non-urgent police matters, call +41 81 414 84 84.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Davos, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cresta
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 863 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Amavita — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Davos Platz station → Hotel Cresta
💡 It's a flat 800-metre walk along Promenade — skip the bus if you have light luggage. Use the covered walkway in heavy snow.
Davos Bahnhof (train station) → Hotel Cresta (stop: Davos Platz, Postplatz)
💡 Buy a Davos Card from your hotel for free local bus rides within the Klosters–Davos area; the Cresta usually provides it.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Hotel Cresta, Davos
💡 Book a shared shuttle (e.g. Swiss Transfer) in advance from around 150 CHF per person — still door-to-door but two to three times cheaper than a private taxi.
Zurich HB → Davos Platz
💡 Avoid the Glacier Express surcharge — the regular InterRegio via Landquart is far cheaper, just as scenic, and takes similar time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cresta?
Request a room on an upper floor, preferably at the end of a corridor, to reduce noise from lifts and foot traffic. South-facing rooms typically get more sunlight, which is welcome in a mountain resort.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cresta?
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby, restaurant, or bar—these can be noisy during breakfast and evening hours. Also skip rooms near the service elevator or housekeeping storage.
Is Cresta noisy?
3-star hotels often have thinner walls and less soundproofing than luxury properties. Earplugs can help if you're a light sleeper. Avoid rooms near ice machines, vending areas, or stairwell doors.
Which rooms have the best views at Cresta?
In a Swiss mountain resort like Davos, ask for a room with a view of the mountains (typically south or west), not the car park or rear alley. A higher floor improves the prospect.
What are insider tips for staying at Cresta?
1. Request a room with a small balcony if available—even in winter, it's useful for fresh air and storing ski gear. 2. Check in early or call ahead to secure a quieter room by asking politely, as upgrades are sometimes possible without extra charge.
What time is check-in at Cresta?
Check-in at Cresta is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cresta have Wi-Fi?
Free, password provided at check-in. Speed ~40 Mbps down, 15 up. No login portal. No premium tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cresta?
CHF 5.50 per person per night (includes local transport card)
Where can I eat cheaply near Cresta?
A self-service supermarket sandwich or salad with a drink costs about 10-15 CHF; a fixed-price lunch at a bakery or small restaurant is 15-20 CHF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cresta?
A day pass for Davos local buses costs around 8 CHF; the cheapest way from Zurich Airport is a train with a Supersaver ticket (from 25-35 CHF one-way).
When is the best time to visit Davos?
July and August offer stable temperatures around 18°C, clear trails for hiking and fewer lift queues than ski season. September is also excellent for crisp air and golden larch forests.
Top Attractions in Davos
💡 The vintage ski posters and equipment are fascinating. Allow 45 minutes. Combine with a walk to the nearby Schatzalp funicular.
💡 Walk the stretch from the Kongresszentrum to the lake at sunset. In winter, the path is groomed for cross-country skiing.
💡 The north shore has fewer people and a small wooden jetty perfect for photos. Dogs are allowed, but keep them on a lead near the swimming area.
💡 Start from the Brüggenerhöhe bus stop (Bus 204) for the easiest access. The trail is shaded in hot weather and has a few benches for picnics.
💡 Come on a Sunday when the café serves homemade cake. Ask at the desk for the free audio guide—it’s worth it.