Review: Moxy Sion

Moxy Sion – Location

Just 1 h 30 by car or around 2 h by train from Geneva airport, the Moxy Sion Hotel is located in the capital of the Valais region of Switzerland, in the Sion Est district. Please note that the hotel is just over 2 km from Sion train station, so it’s not directly accessible on foot from the station.

Most people arrive at the hotel by car and enjoy free outdoor parking for the duration of their stay. A gas station shares the hotel grounds, and a Migros supermarket is just across the road.

The Moxy Sion Hotel‘s location offers privileged access to all that the charming town of Sion has to offer. For example, just a few minutes by car or bus from the hotel, visitors can explore the streets of the old town, steeped in history and authentic charm, or admire the breathtaking views from the famous Tourbillon castle.

Beyond the town, the hotel also provides access to a host of Valais ski resorts, including Crans-Montana, Nendaz, Verbier, Leukerbad and all those that dot the Val d’Anniviers.

Moxy Sion – Common areas

The common areas of the Moxy Sion Hotel have been designed to embody a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, where the spirit of community and conviviality reigns supreme. From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in a dynamic, multi-purpose space that invites you to relax and socialize.

Featuring a modern, eclectic design, the lobby and first floor offer comfortable seating. There are also works of art and bright colors, creating a lively and inspiring setting.

The bar is the epicenter of entertainment, where travelers gather to enjoy cocktails or light snacks. A welcome cocktail is offered free of charge to everyone arriving at the hotel.

When I checked in, the hotel staff had some difficulty using my Marriott gift cards in Canadian dollars to partially pay for my room. In the end, everything was settled to my great satisfaction.

The Moxy Sion Hotel also offers versatile spaces such as a game room, an outdoor terrace and a shared workspace, giving guests a multitude of options for relaxing, entertaining or working.

I observed that the hotel’s clientele was very diverse. Sure, there were a few skiers like me, but they weren’t the majority of customers. I noticed the presence of airline pilots spending the night, a group of travelers touring Switzerland by bus, and business people.

Moxy Sion – The room

We had a 161-square-foot deluxe room (number 208) with a king-size bed and an opening window with a view to the south.

There were also several USB sockets for recharging electronic devices. Curiously, it was impossible to set the room temperature below 20 degrees Celsius. The decor is characterized by a raw concrete design, which undoubtedly contributes to the space’s excellent soundproofing.

The rate paid for this room in April 2024 was around 110 CHF per night (without breakfast), which I consider to be an excellent offer for accommodation of this quality in Switzerland.

Moxy Sion – Breakfast

I didn’t have breakfast at the hotel (19 CHF per person), but I’m sharing some photos to give you a clear idea of the food on offer.

Moxy Sion – Regional attractions

Thanks to its exceptional location in the Rhone Valley, in the heart of the canton of Valais, the Moxy Sion Hotel offers a host of nearby activities, most of them less than 30 minutes’ drive from the hotel.

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Popular activities include visits to museums, castles and vineyards.

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The entire northern flank of the Rhône valley is dotted with terraced vineyards.

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In winter, you’re in ski paradise, with resorts radiating out in all directions, and charming authentic villages (like Grimentz) to discover.

Finally, you’re just a seven-minute drive from the Alaia Bay wave pool, the most spectacular spot for a surf session, whatever your level.

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Guest card

When you stay in a Sion accommodation such as the Moxy Hotel, you’ll receive the Sion guest card, which entitles you to various benefits. The services on offer (almost 50 different ones) are worth over CHF 100.

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In my opinion, the best benefits of the card are the following freebies:

Access to certain Sion bus routes;
Access to the Musée d’art du Valais, Musée d’histoire du Valais and Musée de la nature du Valais, all located in Sion’s old town;
Admission to the Saillon Spa;
Access to the guided tour of the St-Léonard underground lake;
A round trip in a cabin + an AlpinLine descent to the Grande Dixence dam.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card).

In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

Compare

Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $600
Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months: Up to 70,000 points

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

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Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,110

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Moxy Sion – Redeem Marriott Bonvoy points

If you redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for your room at Moxy Sion, the lowest observed room rate is 20,000 points per night.

You can lower the number of points required if you book five consecutive nights. In fact, the fifth night is free when you pay with Marriott Bonvoy points. This means you could spend as little as 80,000 points.

Moxy Sion – My overall impression

For skiers who want to explore several ski resorts, and who have a car at their disposal, theMoxy Sion hotel is a seemingly off-the-beaten-track choice worth discovering.

Most tourists who come to Switzerland to ski opt for accommodation directly in the resort, but this is much more expensive. For example, the cost of renting a car will quickly be compensated by the savings you’ll make by staying outside the ski resort.

Only one aspect might be perceived as a drawback by some: the hotel doesn’t capture the essence or distinctive character of Switzerland. I recently stayed at another Moxy hotel in Vienna, and noticed a striking similarity in ambience and style.