GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND
Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, Gstaad is a small village in Saanen nestled between the Swiss Alps. It makes for a quiet and cosy winter destination, and a peaceful getaway. Though Gstaad is known to be an upscale ski resort, it's usually far less crowded than its counterparts (such as Zermatt and St. Moritz). Expect a charming mix of luxury and village-modesty, where you'll find a range of both upscale and homely restaurants, designer boutiques as well as local stores. Near to Gstaad are several other villages you can also visit, especially for skiing. Consider Gstaad for a peaceful, more private holiday destination in the winter - suitable for family, friends, and couples.
TO STAY
HOTEL PARK GSTAAD: Perched between the forest meadows and mountain peaks is Hotel Park - one of Gstaad's five star luxury hotels and a memorable holiday resort. Inspired by surrounding scenery, the hotel is designed as a modern-cosy chalet with wooden walls, tall windows, and fur-lined furniture. All rooms enjoy a view of the forest or mountains, a mesmerising sight to wake up to. The hotel offers two upscale restaurants: Chubut, an Argentinian-inspired steakhouse for dinner; and Avenue Montaigne, serving regional cuisine for all-day dining. There is also a bar downstairs by the lobby, a terrace outside, and a cigar-room. For a romantic evening or a group experience, Chalet Waldhuus is available upon request for a fun night of fondue, raclette, and other Swiss specialities. For on-site entertainment is also an ice dome and an ice-skating rink, an indoors golf room, as well as a relaxing spa offering a wide-range of treatments. In addition to this, Park Gstaad provides equipment rental for winter sports; and though it's not a ski-in ski-out resort, the hotel provides transportation to nearby ski-lifts (even restaurants, too) free of charge. In terms of comfort and convenience, Park Gstaad's service truly stands out. A wonderful experience here, especially if you're looking for a refined ski-chalet atmosphere.
HOTEL LE GRAND BELLEVUE: Le Grand Bellevue is a charming luxury hotel located by the famous Promenade. The hotel is smart and stylish, inspired by French elegance and alpine comfort. Chic, colourful, and lively, the hotel has a glamorous allure to it, attracting hip crowds and young couples, as well as important business men in suits. The bedroom views are not particularly remarkable (mostly street-view or forest), but the interiors make up for it. The hotel offers Michelin-star dining at Leonard's, which is upscale but unpretentious; fondue and raclette at Le Petit Chalet in the garden, a chimney-side lounge, and a stylish bar. For on-site entertainment is a cinema made available for private viewing, as well as a ride in the hotel's vintage Bentley. Le Grand Bellevue is remarkable, but can resemble a big-city hotel rather than a cosy ski-resort; and its ground-level location by the Promenade unfortunately ignores much of Gstaad's beautiful scenery. If you're looking for a mountain-side chalet experience and views of nature, look elsewhere to stay and experience Le Grand Bellevue as a visitor instead.
FOOD & DINING
LEONARD'S: Beef Carpaccio - White Truffle Risotto - Tender Beef Filet - Buttered Sole - Cheesecake
With one Michelin star on its shoulder, Leonard's offers a wonderful yet laid-back dining experience at Le Grand Bellevue. The restaurant is stylish but welcoming, the atmosphere is lively without being loud, and the food is delectable. Michelin-rating aside, Leonard's maintains a fuss-free menu with a range of dishes like pastas and salads, meat and fish, and a hamburger too; and unlike many Michelin counterparts, the portions here are actually satisfying. Especially remarkable is the White Truffle Risotto, served with freshly grated truffle and an egg yolk which adds another dimension of flavour; the chef's recommended Beef Filet is so juicy and tender, you'll barely need a knife to cut through it, served with crispy fries and 3 flavourful sauces; and the Sole cooked à la meunière is perfection, served in its browned-butter sauce with potatoes and spinach (good for one or two persons). For dessert, Leonard's New York-style cheesecake is absolutely unmissable; dense yet creamy like creme brûlée with a top layer of burnt sugar and a side of sour raspberries - the perfect finish. I came back twice to Leonard's, and both visits were equally gratifying. Have a drink at the bar before your meal, and try out one of their signature cocktails (the Bellevue Smash is excellent).
RESTAURANT OLDEN: White Truffle Tagliolini - Mediterranean Potato Gnocchi - Veal Milanese - Meringue & Cream with Berries - Tiramisu
Located in a modest hotel along the Promenade, Olden is a classic restaurant with old-school chalet interiors and Italian-inspired cuisine. The atmosphere is dim and quiet, but not necessarily dull; the Italian staff is pleasant, and the food is quite good. From the truffle menu, the tagliolini is a recommended dish to try - the pasta is perfectly chewy, served simply with truffle shavings and butter. The Mediterranean Gnocchi is even more notable for its range of flavour, combining tomato sauce with spinach, black beans, and chunks of soft mozzarella to elevate the soft texture of gnocchi. For the main course, the Veal Milanese is an iconic choice; a tender cut of veal in a buttery breading - so big it spills out the plate a little, making it extremely satisfying for a hungry appetite. The dessert is sadly nothing to write home about, but they have a wonderful selection of wine. An overall pleasant experience after a long day.
WASSERNGRAT RESTAURANT: Veal Sausage with Rösti - Cheese Fondue - Meringue & Cream
Probably Gstaad's best mountain-top restaurant, this charming place sits atop Wasserngrat at an altitude of 1,920 meters - making it the perfect aprés-ski stop and lunch destination (also easily accessible to pedestrians by chair-lift). If you're staying in Gstaad, the station is only a 10-minute ride away. Wasserngrat Restaurant offers cosy seating indoors, as well as a terrace space outside with bench-tables, fur-lined lounge chairs, and the most breathtaking view of the mountains. To go along with the mesmerising scenery is their delicious comfort food to keep you warm. The Veal Sausage is juicy, tender, and generous in size; served with buttery rösti potatoes and sweet onion gravy - a rewarding meal for a hungry skier. The Moitié-Moitié Cheese Fondue is unmissable here - the combination of gruyère cheese and vacherin fribourgeois is rich and satisfying, paired with homemade bread and potatoes (*tip: order a side of French fries too, they're excellent; and ask for truffle if available). For dessert, their generous bowl of meringue and double cream is iconic. If you're not hungry, kickback on one of the lounge chairs with a drink and enjoy the view. Do not miss this experience in Gstaad!
*MORE RECOMMENDATIONS:
AVENUE MONTAGNE: For regional cuisine in a relaxing space, where the focus is on wellness and satisfaction. The menu integrates nature into the kitchen, offering healthy as well as indulgent dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. You can enjoy wholesome salads and warm soups, as well as homemade pastas, roasted duck, and rack of lamb. The restaurant is open for all-day dining, including breakfast; and a beautiful terrace outside serving bar food and drinks.
CHUBUT: For a fiery dining experience, Chubut serves Argentinian-inspired cuisine that focuses on intense flavours. The menu offers fine cuts of meat from around the world, as well as a few options for fish. Come here for a great piece of steak or a satiating burger (veggie burgers are also available). Open only for dinner.
CHESERY: Known as Gstaad's most sophisticated restaurant, Chesery serves regional haute-cuisine in a cosy yet elegant chalet-style space. The menu serves a variety of options ranging from tuna sashimi and liver terrine, to truffle ravioli and traditional poached egg; for mains, you can choose between a variety of fish and meats (including lobster, turbot, veal, and pigeon); and for dessert, their caramelised apple tart is a classic. Come here for a refined dining experience. Reservations are recommended.
SAAGI STÜBLI: For a hearty dose of cheese, Saagi Stübli is a great place to enjoy traditional fondue and raclette. The restaurant is homely, designed like a rustic-chalet with wooden interiors, a warm fireplace, and dim lighting. The menu offers some meat dishes, but the real focus is on their range of cheeses. Come here for a traditional alpine experience.
GRAND BELLEVUE BAR & LOUNGE: For a quick yet enjoyable lunch/aprés-ski snack, the bar and lounge at Le Grand Bellevue serve restaurant-quality food in a more casual space where you can kickback and relax as you enjoy your meal. The menu offers a selection of dishes from Leonard's alongside bar-exclusive options like small snacks, salads and sandwiches, as well as a full afternoon tea spread. Their cocktails are inventive and their hot chocolate is delightful. Outside visitors and walk-ins are welcome.
PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO
WINTER SPORTS: Nestled between the Swiss Alps, Gstaad is a great destination to enjoy winter activities like skiing and snowboarding, winter-biking, animal trekking, mountain hikes, and even paragliding. There are tons of outdoors activities on and off slopes to keep you busy - check Gstaad's official website here for details. As for the slopes, Gstaad offers several options for different levels (beginners to advanced); there are also more slopes in neighbouring towns, just a short car ride away. Cable lifts are available to pedestrians who would like to visit mountain-top restaurants.
GLACIER 3000: One of Gstaad's most remarkable sites is Glacier 3000, a mountain-top establishment that takes you to some of the highest summits over Les Diablerets. In just two cable rides you can enjoy a breathtaking view of 24 different summits at an altitude of 4,000 meters (including Mont Blanc and the Bernese Alps). You can take a walk through the snow, enjoy an express chairlift, dogsled rides, as well as lunch at Botta or Refuge L'Espace. But the most notable highlight at the Glacier is the Peak Walk (details here) - a pedestrian bridge connecting two mountain peaks; a truly thrilling experience unique to Gstaad. Make sure to check weather conditions in advance, because Glacier 3000 strictly operates on that.
WASSERNGRAT MOUNTAIN: Another one of Gstaad's remarkable sites is Wasserngrat, famous for two reasons: the Tiger Run, being the steepest slope-run in and around Gstaad, and a mountaintop restaurant with the most spectacular food and view. A chairlift is available for both skiers and pedestrians, open until 4:30 pm (info here). Take the ski challenge or go up for lunch, but make sure to visit Wasserngrat.
EXCURSIONS: In addition to what Gstaad has to offer, you can also enjoy multiple excursions within 50-100 km of town: from visiting the legendary Castle of Gruyères and the village of Montreaux, to embarking on a culinary journey at the Cailler Chocolate Factory. Find more options and details here.
PROMENADE: In the centre of town is a long promenade lined with restaurants and speciality shops. Here you'll find whatever you may need in terms of shopping (both designer & affordable), banking, food, and services.
TRAVELING TIPS
1. Visit Gstaad in the winter. There are plenty of summer activities there, but it's primarily a winter-holiday destination. Check weather conditions in advance, but the best time to visit is generally between December to May (February being the coldest).
2. Book a mountain-side hotel to enjoy your surroundings. Hotels along the Promenade are cheaper, but totally ignore the beautiful scenery you came for.
3. Plan the length of your stay according to the activities you would like to do. If you're not out and about, there's almost nothing else to do around town and it can quickly get boring.
4. Always check the weather! Most winter/ski resorts strictly depend on climate conditions, and Gstaad is no exception. Despite unforeseeable circumstances, a general idea of what to expect will help you plan a better visit.
5. Don't worry about having/packing the right equipment or winter-wear, there are plenty of stores in Gstaad to help you out (both upscale and affordable).
6. Renting a car will save money. Many sites are not within walking distance, and taxis in Gstaad are certainly not cheap.
