The Alpina Gstaad
Gstaad, Switzerland
Saanen
Vibe
Soaring timber lounges, crackling stone hearths, and inventive cocktails set a spirited après-ski scene overlooking the snow-dusted Alps.
“Contemporary alpine hideaway”
House car shuttles, private ski fittings at the Silver Sport shop, and Acqua di Parma bathroom amenities.
Reclaimed centuries-old farmhouse pine meets handwoven bronze screens and a subterranean limestone entry tunnel.
A 2,000-square-meter Six Senses spa featuring a Himalayan salt room, hammam, biohacking programs, and heated garden pools.
On the Oberbort hillside overlooking Gstaad village, five minutes from the promenade and alpine slopes.
“The Alpina Gstaad dates back only to 2012, though its classic Alpine façade could pass for fifty or a hundred years older.”
Rooms
Clad in hand-brushed antique pine, rooms feature cowbell glass lamps, stone fireplaces, and deep soaking tubs opening to alpine balconies.
“Offering a much-needed shot of youthful adrenaline to the often-staid world of Swiss ski resorts, the Alpina was a revelation when it debuted in 2012...”
Wellness
The Six Senses spa pairs saunas and a ladies' wet zone with an indoor lap pool and heated outdoor garden baths.
“ushers you in with a spectacular overture—a subterranean drive that passes through a cavern of Ringgenberg limestone and skirts a frozen waterfall…”
Backstory
Marking Gstaad's first new luxury hotel in a century when it opened in 2012, the property was constructed using centuries-old reclaimed farmhouse timber.
“The warm yet sleek dining room ... yields a space that cleverly interprets alpine tradition without resorting to pastiche.”
Eat & drink
Guests gather for sushi at Michelin-starred MEGU, share bubbling fondue in the wood-paneled Swiss Stübli, and sample rare Japanese whiskies.
“The subterranean tunnel entryway feels like a setting in a James Bond film, while the lobby—with its contemporary artwork, double-height ceilings…”
The neighborhood
Perched on the Oberbort hillside overlooking Gstaad village, the grounds sit minutes from the mountain promenade and the surrounding ski slopes.
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The app
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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.