Gstaad Palace

Gstaad

Gstaad, located in the Swiss canton of Berne at an altitude of 1050 meters is a village of 3200 inhabitants surrounded by rounded shaped mountains, adding to the town’s seemingly gentle and peaceful atmosphere. Today however, Gstaad is internationally famous as a high class ski resort for celebrities and jet setters. Far from the hyperactivity and glitz of a mountain area Saint Tropez, Gstaad’s greatest qualities are discretion and a typical, authentic alpine “art de vivre”. This way of life is the reason for Gstaad’s success, and in the words of actress Julie Andrews: “Gstaad is the last earthly paradise in a world gone mad!” The idyllic Eden like scenery is reinforced by 200 working farms and 80 mountain pastures still in use, with the presence of 7,000 grazing cows. Gstaad is a perfectly preserved dream like site. It’s interesting to note that the village’s reputation is in part due to the presence of numerous prestigious international schools including the Institut Rosey which since 1917 has established its campus here for 10 weeks every winter, the John F. Kennedy School in Saanen and the Gstaad International School. The students here and their parents are actually the leading ambassadors, attesting to the charm of the village.

A Gstaad icon

The legendary Gstaad Palace rises proudly above the town. For several decades, its iconic building has become the emblem of this celebrated village. Opened in 1913, it has belonged to the Scherz family for three generations. In 1947, the grandfather of the present director decided to purchase shares in the hotel. Today, his grandson continues the tradition; a family passion passed down from generation to generation. The hotel, well aware of its prestigious position, has kept the original system of room keys in order to preserve part of its history, a detail which adds to the charm of this local institution. The décor is typical of Gstaad hotels with mountain references, a warm atmosphere, natural wood and a great deal of stone. The Gstaad Palace is a haven of serenity which solidly preserves the customs and the identity of the village. Instead of surrendering to unbridled modernism, we find a hotel with tradition and decades old positive values. In short, time stands still here to the delight of the guests. Although the 104 rooms and suites have been renovated, the wood ceilings were preserved, representing an historical continuity, a glorious past and an intelligent preservation of a harmonious space. The cozy ambiance is reinforced by the use of framed photographs of the Palace as it was in the past. The message is clear, telling guests that “this house is yours!” The spa proposes a filtered, mineral atmosphere with a perfect blend of stone and wood. The sound of the water in the swimming pool is an invitation to swim. And to take full advantage of the venue, there’s nothing better than the spa’s Private Suite with sauna, steam bath, pool, massage tables, shower and bathroom all reserved for the client for several hours. The hotel’s largest restaurant emphasizes the quality of the products. Chef Peter Wyss, who has been here for several decades, likes to use regional products to concoct a family style cuisine. Aware that his guests are not accustomed to eating upscale gastronomic food every day, he tries to create a balance between the two. At the Grill Rotisserie, the chefs practice the art of grilling food under the awestruck eyes of the guests. Another important restaurant is the Gildo, named after of the oldest maitre d’ in the hotel. At the Gildo, a team from the prestigious Cipriani hotel in Venice is in charge. More than an institution, the Gstaad Palace is a cross section of eras, a hotel conscious of its past but with an awareness of the demands of a contemporary clientele.

When it opened, residents of the village were far from unanimous in their opinion of it, some calling the building a white elephant, considering it a scandal to have built a hotel in this form in the heart of the Gstaad landscape. Today, it’s difficult to imagine Gstaad without the Palace!