Gstaad Palace
Gstaad, Switzerland
Saanen
Vibe
Known as Gstaad's living room, the fireside Lobby Bar draws generations together over afternoon tea, evening cocktails, and nightly live piano.
“Alpine heirloom keep”
Family ownership since 1938, white-glove dining rituals, and an unbroken multi-generational clientele returning every winter season.
Kitchens preparing bespoke off-menu requests around the clock alongside multi-year luggage storage and dedicated seasonal concierges.
A 1913 turreted alpine castle preserving a rustic 1783 mountain refuge and a wartime gold vault.
On a hill overlooking Gstaad village, a short walk from the pedestrianized promenade.
“The interior is much as it was in the palace’s early days, though fresh renovations…have added or improved upon a range of amenities”
Rooms
Classic alpine rooms feature beamed ceilings, tartan accents, and botanical prints, with private balconies opening onto views of the Bernese Oberland peaks.
“It’s certainly understated rather than in-your-face luxury. The capacious lobby bar with its carved wooden pillars and enormous open fire...”
Wellness
Anchored by fifty tons of local granite, the spa offers a six-stage hammam ritual, heated pools, and a historic 1928 outdoor Olympic pool.
“The two-hour ritual begins with a foot bath and takes in a foam body massage, a steam bath, ...”
Backstory
During World War II, the Swiss government stored national gold reserves inside a fortified two-story bunker that today houses rustic restaurant La Fromagerie.
Eat & drink
Tableside flambé dishes star at Le Grill and fondue bubbles in La Fromagerie before late-night DJ sets inside the 1970s GreenGo Club.
The neighborhood
Perched above the village, the hotel sits a ten-minute walk from Gstaad's pedestrianized promenade lined with timber chalets and luxury fashion boutiques.
More like this
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Le Grand Bellevue
“Playful Alpine citadel”
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Ultima Hotel Gstaad
“Opulent alpine jewel-box”
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The Mansard
“Contemporary chalet retreat”
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The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.