Gstaad - Top 1% Hotels
Starting this year’s winter season in Gstaad with a hotel tour of the top 1% hotels in this pretty and quaint Swiss mountain village. It’s a wonderful time here right before Christmas with all the decorations, snow and cozy fire places in these amazing hotels. Even after the Festive Season you can expect the charm of Gstaad to take you over.
The Alpina Gstaad
3 Michelin Keys
Driving into the wood-paneled driveway tunnel makes you feel like James Bond arriving at the villain‘s headquarters. As you enter the reception hall you are impressed by this sophisticated mix of a centuries-old ceiling that was brought here from Italy and the modern wood- and stonework that exudes an understated elegance which is emphasized by the subtle lighting. This villain has taste!
Atmosphere: Sophisticated Alpine Chic
Accommodations:
Only 56 refined yet cozy alpine chic rooms and suites, often with (gas) fireplaces, with natural wood and stone everywhere, also on the floors (all locally sourced and crafted - I love it! Well-sized bathrooms with separate shower and tub. All of them have balconies with beautiful views on either side. Even the smallest category „Deluxe Room“ feels spacious being sized from 33 to 48 sqm (or 355 to 516 sqft).
We also took a tour of the expansive two-level Panorama Suite, which boasts three bedrooms and a private spa with jacuzzi on the rooftop.
We also took a tour of the expansive two-level Panorama Suite, which boasts three bedrooms and a private spa with jacuzzi on the rooftop.
Unique Amenities:
In a world of brand awareness, the Alpina decided to have their own soap, shower gel, shampoo, etc. but not branded nor sold externally. It’s locally produced, big nice bottles, logo of Alpina on it and labelled „Hand soap“ e.g. - not everyone will like that as people are used to the high-end brands and love the little bottles to take home (a practice that might end soon anyway). We are also in a world of sustainability.
Spa and Wellness:
The first Six Senses Spa in Switzerland (the first Six Senses hotel in Switzerland opened in Crans Montana in 2022). Beautiful indoor pool plus the only heated outdoor pool of significant size in Gstaad. And all the expected facilities, like gym with the latest Technogym equipment.
Dining Options:
We got a private kitchen tour by Michelin-starred chef Martin Göschel. He proudly showed us the new brasserie-style Monti and the new breakfast buffet room with a wonderful white marble countertop and integrated modern appliances e.g. to steam dumplings. Besides that and his one-star restaurant, there is the Japanese sushi place Megu, the obligatory Swiss Stübli for the cheese fondue and other traditional mountain food. And of course the lounge with a fire place and terrace, where I had the best mulled wine in the world. Period.
Le Grand Bellevue
2 Michelin Keys
Originally built in 1912 as a Cure House and Spa, Le Grand Bellevue has been an integral part of Gstaad’s heritage for generations, earning a reputation as one of the area’s most distinguished hotels.
It re-launched in 2014 by dynamic new owners, creating an atmosphere where Swiss sophistication and grace blend seamlessly with the welcoming warmth, luxury, and inventive flair of a refined country house hotel.
We got a tour by the owner himself, Daniel Koetser, an Englishman who portraits the casual elegance that he bestowes in his hotel. His passion for the place and for hospitality was immediately visible when he decided on the spot to give us the tour himself. Each interaction with his employees revealed leadership based on kindness, respect and merit.
The Grand Bellevue is a little bit like James Bond: elegant but cool and witty - not stuffy.
Atmosphere: Casual Alpine Elegance in a Belle Epoque Grand Hotel
Accommodations:
57 cozy rooms and suites that give alpine elegance. There are two builidings at the moment: main building and a chalet, which are connected. There will be more chalets in the near future that will all be connected by underground walkways. The chalet rooms are a little more styled like a Swiss chalet. But all rooms use natural materials and really feel cozy and warm. Most have a balcony and some also a fireplace (gas).
Unique Amenities:
Amazing wine cellar (thanks to the love of good wine by Daniel). There is also a night club and a private movie theater for your nightly entertainment. A kid’s club with bookable nannie service takes care of the children in the meantime.
Roger Moore‘s Bentley can take you on a mission or a more modern Aston Martin SUV can pick you up from anywhere in Switzerland. Private ski shuttles take guests to the slope.
The location of the Bellevue is the most central compared to the other three hotels. You can directly walk onto the promenade from here. You can still choose to drive around in a tiny green EV, though.
Spa and Wellness:
The Bellevue offers the most variety in saunas and steam rooms among the four hotels I visited. The spa is quite sizeable with an indoor pool on the ground floor and an attached terrace opening up to the outside. Gym with latest equipment and massage rooms with interestingly diverse setups like Japanese-style mattress on the floor or mud baths.
There is also a small beauty clinic with modern equipment for beauty and longevity treatments.
Dining Options:
The main restaurant Leonard’s (where Madonna was seen) offers international cuisine by chef Francesco De Bartolomeis, awarded with 16 Gault&Millau points. Directly next to it you’ll find the bar with the longest leather bench in Switzerland (as we were told). You can choose from a hot chocolate menu or a British afternoon tea with more or less „twist“ and have it here or by the cozy lounge by the fireplace. In addition you have the obligatory Swiss restaurant Le Petit Chalet out in a small wooden block house out in the garden for your cheese fondue or raclette cravings.
Gstaad Palace
2 Michelin Keys
The Gstaad Palace is, in essence, a glamorous winter wonderland brought to life. Illuminated after dark and perched on a hilltop above the quaint village, its turreted façade evokes the image of a genuine castle. Inside, much remains as it was during the hotel’s early years. However, recent renovations have introduced and enhanced a variety of features suited for today’s world-traveling elite, including an expansive, cutting-edge spa with a hammam and a monumental granite wall hewn from fifty tons of locally sourced stone.
The Palace is family-owned for three generations by the Scherz family. You can feel that the responsibility of this heritage is well taken care of. We met a grand-daughter doing the finishing touches on the floor ceiling (don’t worry, she is also launching her own sustainable brand).
Celebrities and generational wealth stay in the palace. Sitting by the grand fireplace in the salon, you can almost see Roger Moore chatting with Sophia Loren. One of my favourite movie series from my childhood were the Pink Panther movies with Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau who was hunting, in his very clumsy way, the thief of the pink diamond with said name. I now realized seeing a black and white picture in the lobby: one of them, the Return of the Pink Panther, was filmed at the Gstaad Palace in the 1970s, which made me smile.
Atmosphere: Legendary Swiss Palace Hotel with famous Jet-Set-Age guest list
Accommodations:
With 90 rooms and suites the Palace is the largest hotel on the list, but this won’t take away from the service-level. Again we have a cosy alpine chic here with slightly differing designs. All rooms have warm colors and use natural materials. The views are beautiful from this higher-up position.
Unique Amenities:
The GreenGo, a nightclub once graced by Liz Taylor herself, who whirled through countless nights on its dance floor alongside her husband, Richard Burton, remains unchanged to this day with apparently very recognisable lamps. Cool gimmick: a door opens up to the indoor pool area where the party turns into a pool party. I was told by insiders that this night club is where it’s at in Gstaad.
Also of note in the Palace: the staff initially speak French to guests or each other - as this is deemed as the more elegant language apparently.
Spa and Wellness:
A beautiful and spacious spa area greets you in the Palace. With indoor and outdoor pools and all the usual suna and steambath, gym, and massage facilities. A specialty of the Palace is a separate outdoor pool for the summer seasons that also opens for a small price to the Gstaad citizens. There is also a tennis court for the summer season.
Dining Options:
5 restaurants offer something for everyone: Le Grill (Rotisserie, 16 Gault&Millau points), La Fromagerie (Swiss chalet style), Gildo’s Ristorante (Italian), Le Grand Restaurant & Terrasse, and the „Gstaad living room“ the Lobby Bar.
The Ultima Gstaad
1 Michelin Keys
While the Ultima is missing the history and soul of the other three hotels, it is on the highest of levels when it comes to interior design, materials used, and service level. Unlike the others the small boutique hotel with 11 suites is open all year round. They are opening another location directly on the promenade in winter 2025 in a chalet that was previously built and used by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV to house his friends and family - which you can only rent as a whole.
Atmosphere: Slick and Ultra Modern Alpine Chic
Accommodations:
The 11 suites all come in a sleek and yet cosy interior design with comfy carpets and blankets. An artifical fireplace with steam and crackling sounds fits to the modern picture.
Unique Amenities:
Probably the most modern private movie theatre of the hotels in this list.
Spa and Wellness:
Fittingly modern spa and gym areas with all expected amenities.
Dining Options:
Being such a small hotel, there is only one restaurant, Haute Brasserie, and a bar. In addition you can hire a private chef.
Good to know
A Four Seasons will open in Gstaad in 2026 - they are using the site of the former Park Gstaad hotel and give it a full overhaul. This should put the village on a more broader lux travelers‘ map. It won’t be a secret any longer - but I am sure it will remain amazing, alpine, elegant, Swiss, understated and quiet.
Summary
All four of the hotels I toured in Gstaad are top-notch and can be recommended in general. But each of them have a slightly different approach and offering.
Alpina: professional, friendly, new money, probably the most compatible hotel where guests of all types would be happy
Bellevue: friendly, cool, all money-types, Harley trips with Champagne and caviar
Palace: family-like, old money, celebrities, the center of the Gstaad upper class social life
Ultima: slick, modern, nearly futuristic but within a Swiss chalet
I haven’t mentioned service quality, because on a site inspection it is hard to fully evaluate that - I would need to stay there to really rate the service. But nonetheless, from what I saw and the interactions I experienced with staff and between staff, I can say this: except for the Ultima (which was a little awkward, but still super-polite) the staff all seemed genuine, friendly, superiors treating their subordinates with respect. I think I can safely say that you can expect Four Seasons-like service levels in all four hotels.
Gstaad
The prettiest Swiss mountain village you’ll ever see. Surrounded by mountains and forest, Gstaad (1’050m above sea level) offers the alpine village feeling like no other.
The keepers of this gem are really to be commended. Unlike some other Swiss mountain villages (looking at you, Davos), Gstaad has no ugly building whatsoever. The restrictions on how a house has to look like here were probably the best policy ever implemented.
So the main shopping street does NOT look like one in any other city. Ralph Lauren, Loro Piana, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and many more all embrace the Swiss chalet design and this creates an immersive experience that makes you wish it’s also done in other places.
It is seasonal, so there are a few month between winter and summer where most hotels are closed.
Of course in winter the main activity is skiing and related sports. In summer you’ll come for the hiking trails, the clear mountain air and of course to see and to be seen. Or as their own advertisement says: come up and slow down.
Connect with Me
If you’re planning a trip to Gstaad and need personalized recommendations or assistance with bookings, feel free to reach out. I’ve established wonderful connections with the sales teams at these hotels, and they’re as eager as I am to make your stay unforgettable.
