Wellness & Spa - Hotel Ermitage

Gstaad / Saanen

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 way of life. The neighboring commune of Saanen, also known as Gessenay, is connected to Gstaad by a legendary train whose panoramic cars run through the valley. Saanen is a classified historical site, and its chalets in the heart of the village were built between the 15^th and 18^th century. This veritable Oberland Berne village has a long and interesting history. The territory corresponds to a portion of the lands belonging to the Count of Gruyère who was forced to sell it to reimburse his huge gambling debts. Saanen has conserved its authenticity and remains a postcard image of a typical and charming Swiss village.

Authentic and modern

The Ermitage Hotel is located in the heart of the village of Saanen. This hotel chalet, covered in wood, is in total harmony with the environment and the typically Swiss countryside surrounding it. Heiner Lutz and Laurenz Schmidt were the inspiration for the project. Originally from Basel, they had spent their childhood vacations in Saanen and developed a passion for the region. The tone of the hotel is obvious as soon as you enter, with a rustic, chic décor combining elegance and tradition. The wall paintings in the lobby are the work of a famous Swiss painter who captured the charm of the Ermitage and its surroundings by depicting pastoral scenes of Switzerland. Contemporary lamps and chandeliers, round shaped arm chairs, wood paneling on the walls and parquet floors create a surprising and varied décor and at the same time, a comfortable relaxing atmosphere. One of the most popular spots in the hotel is the astounding One Million Stars bar by Svarowski, with a million crystals incrusted in the ceiling that light the space in a variety of colors. Among the hotel’s 68 rooms and suites, the Saane suite was especially designed for ski lovers with huge spaces for storing material. The fireplace is surrounded by granite walls. Wood is omnipresent in the bedroom and bathroom, providing guests with warmth and comfort. Another remarkable site is the Gstaad suite where the woodwork, which follows regional traditions and uses refined fabrics, create a rustic and comfortable elegance. Located on the garden side, the view is extremely pleasant. The Ermitage’s totally renovated spa proposes a complete range of treatments. There’s a heated pool (32 degrees Celsius), a salt water pool and a heated outdoor pool with a water temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. The spa offers 3500 meters of rest and relaxation. The Ermitage-Stube is a gastronomic restaurant with a menu that combines classical and modern cuisine. The hotel’s seven other restaurants offer the same menu although each one is different ranging from the traditional, like the Saane, with a wall of paper cutouts (a very complicated local craft), to the more typical, like the Chuchichäschtli with its linen table settings, not to mention the contemporary Laurenz, named after the owner.

The paintings of cows throughout the hotel are the work of one of the Ermitage’s dishwashers. The owners were so impressed that they commissioned 60 of them which are now one of the hotel’s leitmotifs.