In autumn, you’ll see wildflower crowns on the heads of cows that descend the mountains from Gstaad, a swanky Swiss mountain town located between Zurich and Geneva.
Farmers lead their adorned bovines down cobblestone streets during traditional celebrations that mark the change of the seasons. But keep an eye out for someone sporting a sparkling tiara throughout the year.
The Swiss Alpine village of Gstaad is more than a ritzy gathering place for the world’s elite. It is an idyllic, centuries-old Swiss Alpine village that remains true to its traditional ways.
There are 17th-century chalets, old-fashioned bakeries, and cheese shops operated by the cheesemakers themselves nestled among ultra-luxe, five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and decadent nightclubs in Gstaad, which appeals to visitors both for its Swiss heritage and for its intense social scene. A bijou hideaway away from the slopes and the party circuit, this resort hosts polo matches, hot-air balloon festivals, classical music festivals, and has outdoor activities throughout the year.
Where to Stay
Suite Le Grand Bellevue, Le Grand Bellevue
In the re-imagined Le Grand Bellevue, stateliness meets a decidedly whimsical yet contemporary feel. A colorful and design-oriented hotel, this hotel is directly on the village’s famous pedestrian promenade. It features bird-print wallpaper, antique furniture upholstered in bright colors, hanging bird cage chairs with leather pillows, and a towering, incongruous, tweed-covered camel that always gets a second look. Providing a Michelin-starred restaurant, Leonard’s, featuring bistro favorites against more uppity gastronomic delights, and a subterranean spa with so many offerings that one could stay all day without finishing, the Grand Bellevue proves Swiss-style and service don’t have to be aloof. A discreetly elegant, bi-level suite, Suite Le Grand Bellevue offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a Jacuzzi tub, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Panorama Suite, The Alpina Gstaad
This hilltop fantasy reinterprets the chalet deftly. The place for travelers who like rustic Swissness, but want it respun, Alpina references Swiss culture with touches such as a glass sculpture reminiscent of icicles, hand-painted antiques and photos of the majestic landscape. With its Michelin-starred restaurant, Sommet, Alpina has a distinct split personality. You can expect to find upscale versions of pulled pork steamed buns or crème brûlée with bacon vinaigrette on the farm-to-fork menu. There is also a kid’s club at Alpina called Treehouse and a relaxing Six Senses Spa. It has the top hideaway, Panorama Suite. With three bedrooms, a dining area and 360-degree views of Gstaad and its surroundings, the 4,300-square-foot suite has its own spa floor (including a Jacuzzi, fitness room, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi).
Presidential Suite, Ultima Gstaad
Ultima Gstaad’s luxury boutique hotel features a chauffeured Maybach, designer uniforms, a glass grand piano (one of only two in the world, the other is owned by Alicia Keys), marble everywhere, contemporary art, and custom upholstery by Louis Vuitton (among others). Located near the ski slopes and a quick 10-minute walk from the town’s center, Ultima comprises three large Swiss chalet structures that hold 11 roomy suites, each overlooking Gstaad or Diablerets massif. A total of six large residences are available for large groups. In addition to its classic spa by La Prairie, Ultima offers guests a medical-style aesthetic clinic that offers Botox, facial treatments, and other beauty services. There is a 1,722-square-foot Presidential Suite with a fully equipped kitchen and balconies from every room. Guests have access to a private elevator that opens directly into the suite for private entry and departure.
My Gstaad Chalet, Park Gstaad
A historic hotel, set in an elevated section of a green garden just five minutes from downtown, Park Gstaad proves that coziness and elegance go together well. This hotel provides a den of tranquility, both indoors and outdoors, in a leafy outdoor space that seems a world away. With pine-cladding, shiny black granite, wooden balconies topped with flower boxes, a multitude of grey-hued Swiss boiled wool and old-school leather elements to provide a sense of place, the entire hotel makes you want to curl up with a book and a glass of sherry. The Park Gstaad emphasizes wellness very much, and this can be found in the restaurant menus and room snacks, in the pool, spa, and ski shop. With its sleek interior and four bedrooms, My Gstaad Chalet is the largest penthouse suite in the Swiss Alps.
Where to Eat
La Bagatelle
In addition to the award-winning wine cellar, this congenial temple of gastronomy is a favorite of oenophiles looking for hard-to-find Swiss wines. The restaurant at Hotel Le Grand Chalet, under the direction of chef Stève Willié, serves French-style regional specialties such as venison and lamb. In addition to an expansive terrace that can accommodate 60 diners on sunny days, the conservatory and original dining room offer interior options as well. Heart-stopping views and zither music seal the deal.
Chesery
Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan transformed a cheesery into a swish inn in 1962, and this iconic hotel has been Gstaad’s hottest reservation ever since. Located in a chalet, the elegant eatery defined farm-to-table before it became a worldwide phenomenon. Its fish dishes, such as bass in salt crust and fish pot au feu, remain favorites. The diminutive, atmospheric bar is ideal for an aperitif. It is not uncommon for diners to have the opportunity to converse with the chef.
La Vue Restaurant
Huus Gstaad’s La Vue is ideally situated to showcase the mountain views that surround it, with windows that frame the ski trails that wind from its doors. Huus means house, an apt name since this hotel and its restaurants embody the concept of welcoming and cozy, albeit elegant, home. With a menu influenced by the region, La Vue features dishes like lamb cooked with herbs from its own garden. As well as serving a 200-item breakfast buffet in a top-floor nook, Huus also has a fondue eatery, a tapas spot, and a restaurant just for children, Huus Kids.
Fondue Fun
You can’t leave Gstaad without trying fondue. Dip toasted bread into melted mountain cheese in a hot pot for an epicurean pastime that brings strangers together. This casual way of dining holds a sacred place in the annals of Swiss culture because it has so many rules (you can’t let your bread fall from your fork and get lost in the cheese — that’s considered bad luck — and you can’t drink carbonated beverages when fonduing).
In cold weather, fondue is best enjoyed in a rustic mountain hut. Almost every five-star hotel offers a fondue cabin — such as Le Grand Bellevue’s Le Petit Chalet, The Gstaad Palace’s La Fromagerie, or Park Gstaad’s Chalet Waldhus — but you can cook the best fondue during a hiking break in a giant, mountain-side cauldron. From any cheese shop downtown, you can get a fondue rucksack that is already packed with fondue supplies.
Take a trek through panoramic scenery from Schlittmoos or Wispile and enjoy cooking your own fondue at various path-side, oversized fondue pots along the way for a picnic you won’t forget. If you’re back in town, try out Saagi Stübli, a cozy restaurant that transports you back in time.
What to Do
Flying High
In 2020, Gstaad’s microclimate creates ideal conditions for hot-air ballooning expeditions. A spectacle that sends 70 colorful balloons up to the heavens daily in Château d’Oex, it’s considered one of the top venues of its kind in the world. Let Balloon Gstaad take you on your own customized flight over the Bernese Alps.
Capers with Copters
It’s one thing to hike or ski Gstaad’s mountains, but hovering above them reveals a whole new perspective. Join Le Grand Bellevue for a private helicopter adventure and combine fitness with meditation. You can take a heart-pounding hike or a relaxing Qi-yoga session at the summit of the Alps with the Heli Hike or Heli Qi-yoga. Gstaad Palace offers a ride that doesn’t require boots or snow gear: lunch on the Matterhorn.
S-Turn Training
More than half of the people wearing ski clothes in Gstaad don’t actually know how to ski. Don’t be one of them, learn from the best with a private lesson with Alpinzentrum. There are numerous ski-areas within Gstaad’s ski region, known as Saanenland, encompassing several villages with a wide variety of peaks and runs suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. You can ski down the mountain year-round with Alpinzentrum’s guides.
Get Festive
A festival is a great reason to visit Gstaad if you need another reason to justify a trip. The Snow Bike Festival takes place in January (cyclists pedal up and down the piste for a few days); the Ride on Music festival takes place in March, when international artists perform on the slopes; or the Hublot Polo Gold Cup takes place every August. With Gstaad’s party calendar, you’ll never be bored.
Walk in the Clouds
It’s a year-round excursion with spectacular views across Switzerland, the Glacier 3000. Take the Peak Walk, a trek across a suspension bridge that connects two mountains. On this peak-to-peak challenge, you’ll see 24 summits, including the Matterhorn and Jungfrau. For fitness enthusiasts, it’s possible to take dogsled rides, via ferratas, hikes, Nordic walking, skiing, while for gastronomic lovers, Botta offers a panoramic view with an unforgettable meal.
