Plan Your Perfect Winter Escape to Gstaad

Located at an altitude of 1,050 metres in the municipality of Saanen of the German-speaking section of the Canton of Bern in southwestern Switzerland, Gstaad is renowned for its style and class. Yet, this genuinely Alpine town of 2.500 remains down-to-earth and steeped in tradition.

There is a good reason why celebrities and royalty flock to the ski town of Gstaad: this cosy corner of the Swiss Alps offers the gamut of winter activities, comfortable accommodations, luxurious spas, Michelin-star dining experiences, and even fondue in an igloo. Locals will tell you the best reason to head for this classic mountain resort is the privacy and authenticity of the place.

Where to stay

Gstaad Palace

The Gstaad Palace is a 5-star favourite. This fairy-tale castle opened its doors in 1913, overlooks the surrounding Saanenland and offers guests breathtaking panoramas year-round. Its suites and rooms feature a chic, Alpine style.

The Palace’s five restaurants use quality regional produce in their internationally inspired menus.

Guests can enjoy the homey atmosphere of the Lobby Bar and dance the night away at the GreenGo Club. The Palace Spa includes a jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, lounge and relaxation room and offers a range of massages and treatments. An indoor pool, fitness and Pilates room are available, and the ski area is easily accessible from the Palace.

Gstaad's village centre and railway station are only a short stroll away.

Le Grand Bellevue

Located directly in the Gstaad Promenade and surrounded by 16,000 square metres of parkland, the 5-Star Le Grand Bellevue opened in 1912 as a Cure House and Spa. Inside, Swiss sophistication meets the effortless warmth of a country house. The hotel’s rooms feature elegant furnishings, complemented by splashes of bold colours and eye-catching prints.

The hotel’s signature restaurant LEONARD’s serves international cuisine prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The Sushi Bar offers a range of expertly-made Japanese specialities. Let Petit Chalet is a great spot to enjoy warm Swiss cheese treats in winter.

In keeping with its health-spa origins, Le Grand offers a wide variety of health treatments, with 17 different wellness and experience zones, an Alpine Spa Suite with Rasul steam bath, ten treatment rooms, including beauty treatments and a coiffeur, elegant exercise facilities offering a comprehensive range of equipment and an indoor pool with jacuzzi.

Alpina Gstaad

The Alpina Gstaad is a five-star favourite of discerning travellers. Surrounded by nature, this eco-friendly hotel embodies Swiss tradition. Rooms and suites reflect the region’s heritage of craftsmanship with classically carved ceilings, timber-clad walls, leather headboards, Swiss farmhouse-style cupboards and chests, and decorative details.

Michelin-starred Executive Chef Martin Göschel supervises The Alpina Gstaad’s four restaurants: Sommet, offering French-based cuisine prepared with local and regional ingredients, Megu, which serves traditional Japanese dishes with a modern spin. Swiss Stübli is a cosy spot to enjoy authentic local dishes, and the Alpina Lounge & Bar serves dishes suitable to Mediterranean, vegetarian and vegan diets. Guests may also enjoy hanging out at the Cigar Lounge or Vinotheque.

Alpina’s Six Senses Spa offers a variety of wellness services. The Tree House Club is the perfect hang-out for younger guests under the supervision of trained childcare professionals. Note: an adult must accompany children under four.

What to do

Ski! We recommend a stop by Glacier 3000, which opens from November 12 to May 7. The thrills from this altitude are incomparable.

Beyond skiing, there are other fun snow activities in Gstaad, including dog or horse-led sleigh rides, snowshoe nature hikes, and hot-air balloon rides over the snowy peaks.

Indoor activities include spa treatments, indoor games, or chilling in a cosy corner near the fire with a book.

For fresh fun, try the full moon Fondue in the Gstaad Igloo Village, opening on December 25th, 2022. You can enjoy the artful snow walls, cosy seating lounges, and an ice bar in a unique atmosphere on the mountain. Even if the moon isn’t made of cheese, you’ll enjoy plenty of it.

Visitors can also spend time luxury shopping along Gstaad’s traffic-free promenade.

Getting There

Flying to the winter wonderland of Gstaad requires specific equipment. The 1.4 km runway at Gstaad Saaneland airport, only a 10-minute drive from the resort town, accommodates turboprop and Falcon 7X jet flights. Local LunaJets on-site representatives can help arrange transfers, helicopter rides to the mountain, or any other services that will help you make the best of the season.

Ask your LunaJets advisor for any details you might need, to best prepare your trip to the Bernese Oberland. Alternatively, feel free to pass by our office in Gstaad, that is ideally located in the exclusive resort’s centre, close to the main pedestrian street and easy for customers to access. It is managed by our local agent, Michael Tschanz: a true expert when it comes to tourism and premier concierge services. He has been offering luxury travel and lifestyle management support to our clients since 2011, who can benefit from his wealth of local knowledge and experience, before, during and after their stay in Gstaad.