Celebrities Have Flocked to This Castle-style Hotel in the Swiss Alps for More Than 100 Years

The family-owned Gstaad Palace has incredible restaurants, a world-class spa, and luxurious suites with views of the Swiss Alps.

A destination synonymous with exclusivity and glamor, the Swiss ski village of Gstaad has long been considered a playground for the global elite — and Gstaad Place, one of the hamlet’s oldest luxury hotels, is precisely that.

Steeped in more than 100 years of hotel history, the family-owned property has been a staple in the Swiss region’s ever-evolving tourism industry since opening its doors in 1913. Notable figures in the entertainment and political spheres, from Sophia Loren to Princess Diana to Quentin Tarantino, have sung its praises, and even today, its stellar reputation remains intact. Legend has it that Michael Jackson even inquired about purchasing the hotel himself after a memorable stay with his close friend Elizabeth Taylor and her two-time husband, Richard Burton.

Well aware of the star-studded guest list, it was difficult not to feel imposter syndrome walking into the grand double doors of Gstaad Palace, a gorgeous castle sitting atop a hill in a world of its own above the village. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that top-level luxury doesn’t always have to come with a hint of ostentation. Sure, sports jackets are required at dinners, and chalets owned by billionaires are only a stone’s throw away from the grounds. However, the hotel maintains a welcoming sense of understated luxury and whimsy. Be it the pool area with diving boards and waterslides galore or the underground nightclub with a resident DJ, plenty of spots on the property are fit for letting your hair down.

Gstaad Palace is open in the summer and winter, but as a fair-weather traveler, I opted for a visit in July. Read my full review below.

Gstaad Palace

• Some suites have balconies with sweeping views of the Swiss Alps.

• The hotel is steadfastly committed to sustainability, with LED lighting, EV charging stations, and locally sourced ingredients in its culinary offerings.

• There’s an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool with a resident DJ and a 10-foot diving board.

• The property leases an 18th-century alpine hut in the mountains for private dining experiences and overnight stays.

The Rooms

I could’ve spent most of my stay gawking at the jaw-dropping view from my suite’s balcony. The panoramic mountain landscape was so striking that it almost seemed fake, like an oil painting in a museum or a stock image set as your new laptop’s default screensaver.

The 90 rooms and suites on the property are all uniquely designed, but each stays true to its alpine roots, oozing warm wooden interiors, clean lines, and pops of earthy tones in the art-littered walls and accent furniture. Those staying in the one-of-its-kind Penthouse Suite have exclusive access to a 1,600-square-foot rooftop patio with the best viewpoint of Gstaad village, which is best enjoyed from the outdoor hot tub and sauna. Other amenities include a private elevator, central air conditioning, a walk-in closet, a massive living room, a fully stocked kitchen, and an indoor fireplace.

Food & Drink

Le Grand Restaurant and La Grande Terrasse are the main dining establishments on the property, serving haute cuisine in a relaxed setting overlooking finely manicured gardens at the base of towering mountain peaks. Over at the fine-dining restaurant, Le Grill, the hotel’s culinary director Franz W. Faeh and his team take a more refined, yet unpretentious, approach to its menu with a slew of international dishes made from fresh local ingredients — a proven recipe for success as it's been awarded a total of 16 Gault Millau points since opening.

Two of the palace’s dining venues are reserved only for the winter season, so I unfortunately didn't get to try either. La Fromagerie, a fondue restaurant, is set in a former World War II bunker, and Gildo’s, a high-end Italian joint, was named after Gildo Bocchini, the hotel’s longtime maître d' who had welcomed and cooked for guests for nearly five decades.

But the true star of the hotel's culinary offerings is the Walig Hut. Gstaad Palace brings guests back in time through private dining experiences and overnight stays at its no-frills, centuries-old alpine hut up in the mountains. After a 20-minute vertigo-inducing drive up into the Alps, situated next to a field of grazing cows, we were immediately greeted by the lulling sounds of cowbells and an unfamiliar yet friendly face: the hut’s warden, Maurizio Paglino. His alpine-style take on veal, potatoes, and vegetables was the most comforting meal I had during my stay.

Activities & Amenities

From vibrant summers to magical white winters, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a shortage of things to do at Gstaad Palace. Piscine, an outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool built in 1928, is the hot spot come summer thanks to the resident weekend DJ, family-friendly atmosphere, and poolside bar serving yummy refreshments. Tennis and squash courts are also open during the warmer months. Pro tip: Sign up for a private lesson from former Australian pro and tennis legend Roy Emerson. Tennis lovers can also plan a summer trip around attending the annual Swiss Open Gstaad at the Roy Emerson Arena, where the best of the sport come together to play against a picturesque backdrop of the Swiss Alps.

Outdoor recreation is just as popular at the hotel in the winter, whether you’re looking to strap on your skis for a day on the slopes or hit the nearby hiking trails for a chilled-out walk in the snow. Plus, you won’t have to search too far to find an ideal Swiss apres-ski experience — a hidden nightclub off the hotel’s spa, GreenGo, is one of the hottest tickets in town.

The Spa

The 19,000-square-foot spa is a quiet respite from the hustle-and-bustle energy at Piscine. The spa pool is much smaller and more luxurious, with indoor and outdoor swimming areas separated by a motion-censored glass partition. Nearby is a serene relaxation garden and a patio adorned with couches and umbrellas where you can enjoy a post-treatment tea and light bite. In addition to unique body rituals and facial treatments catered to individual needs, guests can take advantage of the onsite sauna, steam room, and hammam or, for ultimate relaxation, pay extra for a private suite with exclusive access to spa amenities. 

Family-friendly Offerings

Gstaad Palace proves that even the most luxurious hotels can be kid-friendly. Piscine, the Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool, is the family hot spot come summertime. The atmosphere is lively and jubilant, hosting live DJs weekly, lawn games, trampolines, and three diving boards — the highest was a 10-foot board I mustered up the courage to conquer by the end of my stay.

Every guest at Gstaad Palace is a VIP, especially the children. That’s why the hotel created the VIK (Very Important Kid) program. While parents indulge in some much-needed alone time, they can have peace of mind knowing their children are also living their vacation to the fullest with fun activities, from baking sessions and pony rides to iconic parties between Christmas and New Year's.

Accessibility & Sustainability

Gstaad Palace employs several sustainable practices to help maintain the village’s natural beauty. For starters, you won’t find a thermostat in your suite, but keeping your window open throughout the night to let the crisp mountain air in will do the trick to help you sleep comfortably. Other sustainable touches include LED lighting, non-plastic amenities, and locally sourced ingredients in its culinary offerings. Additionally, most staff (around 250 people from 19 different countries) dwell in cozy quarters next to the hotel to reduce traffic on local roads.

Location

Situated on a hill against a postcard-perfect backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the palace has everything you need regarding location: a sense of privacy with an easy commute to the village’s best offerings. A five-to-10-minute walk (or two minutes by car) will land you smack dab in the center of town, where you can sift through vintage pieces from high-fashion brands like Moncler, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, indulge in Swiss chocolate and fondue, or if you’re traveling in the summer, catch a Swiss Open tennis match at the outdoor clay courts. The property is also a hop and a skip away from some of the country’s best skiing, hiking, and 10,000-foot-high glaciers overlooking some of the tallest mountain peaks in Europe. The closest train station can also be reached by car from the hotel in less than five minutes. 

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

As members of Leading Hotels of the World — a collection of more than 400 luxury properties in more than 80 countries, Gstaad Palace guests can earn perks through the company’s hotel rewards program. Leaders Club membership benefits include upgrades before arrival, preferential treatment on-property, and higher Leaders Club status.

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