Gstaad, Switzerland, Is Identified for Its Cheese and an Unbelievable Summer season Season



High 5 Can’t Miss

  • Keep at The Alpina Gstaad, a glamorous five-star getaway with a greater than 20,000-square-foot Six Senses Spa.
  • Commerce your mountain climbing boots for cowboy boots throughout Nation Night time Gstaad, the annual nation music competition held within the resort city each September.
  • Study in regards to the custom of alpine cheesemaking on the cheese grotto of Gstaad.
  • Spend a day buying alongside the resort city’s ritzy, car-free promenade.
  • Get pleasure from a standard Swiss meal at Posthotel Rössli.

Together with St. Moritz, Gstaad is considered one of Switzerland’s most glamorous resort cities. There are five-star inns, movie star sightings, and a car-free promenade flanked by high-end boutiques and designer shops—however don’t anticipate the grand outposts you’ll discover in cities like Geneva or Zurich. Within the Nineteen Fifties, Gstaad carried out rules that require all buildings, even business ones, to adjust to the Simmental structure type (low-pitched roofs, extensive eaves, and carved facades), holding the Swiss appeal alive and properly all through the mountain village. Nevertheless, as I realized on a go to this previous winter, Gstaad isn’t only a postcard-worthy après-ski playground for the rich; its residents are deeply captivated with historical past, centuries-old traditions, and the pure magnificence that surrounds this idyllic enclave of the Bernese Alps.

“Gstaad gives a lot extra than simply the gorgeous village with its promenade,” Anita Roth-Reuteler, a information with Explora Gstaad, tells Journey + Leisure. “Go up on the mountains, go to and study conventional alpine farms, bask in numerous sports activities and occasions, [and] let your self be carried away by the wonder and energy of nature.”

“Despite the fact that it is famend internationally for celebrities visiting and wealth, it nonetheless looks like a comfy, down-to-earth village. It’s extra about understated class than extravagance,” echoes Nuno Costa, head concierge at The Alpina Gstaad. And whereas snowboarding is actually a significant draw within the colder months, he says, summer time turns Gstaad into “a paradise for mountain climbing, mountain biking, swimming in mountain lakes, and festivals.” There’s even an annual nation music live performance that takes place every September—this 12 months, the lineup options Scotty McCreery and Outdated Crow Medication Present.

Finest Lodges & Resorts

Inside photographs of The Alpina Gstaad.

Lydia Mansel/Journey + Leisure


The Alpina Gstaad

The Alpina Gstaad is intimate and comfortable—simply 56 rooms and suites in complete—however there’s a grandness to its design and degree of service that originally led me to imagine the property was a lot bigger. Despite the fact that I stayed on the finish of the winter (testing the day earlier than the lodge closed for the season), all the pieces was pristine and considerate, from the plush, branded slippers left by my mattress to the effectivity of grabbing ski leases proper exterior the foyer. The visitor rooms are nothing in need of spectacular, the sort of lodging you remorse leaving throughout the day. That includes hand-built fireplaces, interval furnishings, and native woodwork, they’re conventional with out being too darkish or verging on kitschy. My solely remorse from my keep? Not setting apart sufficient time to completely benefit from the Six Senses Spa’s heated water beds, chilly plunge, sauna, and indoor pool.

Gstaad Palace

For greater than 100 years, Gstaad Palace has welcomed well-heeled visitors to its castle-style property towering above the city. Solely open in the summertime and winter (like most luxurious inns in Gstaad), the 90-key resort is someplace you could possibly simply spend weeks and by no means develop bored. Every room and suite has an alpine view, and the roster of facilities contains an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, and even an iconic nightclub, GreenGo.

Le Grand Bellevue, Gstaad

One other five-star getaway in Gstaad, Le Grand Bellevue dates again to 1912, though it entered a brand new period in 2014 following a year-long renovation spearheaded by house owners Daniel and Davia Koetser. Positioned proper on the promenade, the 57-room property mixes trendy, chalet-style design with a Wes Anderson vibe; it’s a bit retro and nostalgic, and pops of coloration and sudden patterns complement the wooden and impartial colours used all through. Le Grand Spa, refurbished in 2017, is actually a standout characteristic of the whole visitor expertise; there are steam baths, an ice fountain, an natural sauna, and an outside leisure pool.

Finest Issues to Do

Panorama of Glacier 3000.

Lydia Mansel/Journey + Leisure


Uncover panoramic mountain vistas at Glacier 3000.

Gstaad is already greater than 3,400 ft above sea degree, however you’ll go even increased (to an elevation of almost 10,000 ft) upon boarding the cable automobile to Glacier 3000, a ski resort and mountain tour with unbelievable views of the Alps. “You’ll be able to see the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and Jungfrau on a transparent day,” says Costa. “There’s additionally the well-known Peak Stroll, a suspension bridge connecting two mountain peaks.” Simply be sure you pack layers, a hat, and gloves; I visited Glacier 3000 in mid-September, and my gentle jacket didn’t fairly maintain as much as the wind, ice, and snow.

Attend considered one of Gstaad’s main festivals.

Gstaad is greater than only a ski city, as evidenced by its roster of world-class occasions that attract guests yearly. Roth-Reuteler recommends aligning your journey with Nation Night time Gstaad, the Swiss Open, the Swatch Seaside Professional Gstaad, or the Gstaad Menuhin Pageant, a classical music occasion first began in 1957 by violinist Yehudi Menuhin.

Hike up the mountains—with a fondue backpack.

Each Roth-Reuteler and Costa advocate immersing your self within the lovely surroundings, whether or not you’re mountain climbing, biking, or e-biking. Whilst you can pack your personal lunch, there’s one other solution to gasoline your tour via the mountains: fondue. Reserve a backpack stuffed with fondue necessities—a traditional or truffle fondue cheese, bread, spices, a pot, a chafing dish with gasoline, plates, and forks—from the Molkerei cheese store and tote it as much as one of many seven outsized “fondue pots,” designed to suit as much as eight individuals, within the area.

Study native cheese traditions on the cheese grotto. 

Gstaad takes its cheese significantly, and there’s nowhere higher to study it than the cheese grotto. The hour-long tour is free, and also you’ll get the within scoop on the 500-year-old custom of manufacturing alpine cheese. Whereas there, you’ll be greater than 80 ft underground (deliver a jacket) and surrounded by 3,000-plus wheels of cheese.

Take a look at your psychological and bodily energy on the through ferrata.

Skiers might descend La Videmanette (a part of the higher Gstaad ski space) within the winter, however the mountain turns right into a climber’s haven within the hotter months. Trek throughout the panorama on the through ferrata, a collection of metal cables, ladders, and pins. You’ll be able to hire gear from both Edelweiss Sport in Gstaad or by the Rougemont – La Videmanette cable automobile; it’s additionally advisable to go along with a information in case you don’t have a lot climbing expertise.

Finest Eating places

Eating desk overlooking mountains.

Andreas von Einsiedel/Getty Photographs


Restaurant Rössli

Costa says Restaurant Rössli, situated south of Gstaad within the village of Feutersoey, is all about high quality. “It’s genuine, seasonal, and all the pieces is made with selfmade and native elements. They even have their very own fish tank behind the restaurant for his or her famend trout dish.”

Restaurant Sonnenhof

The menu at Sonnenhof options Swiss, Italian, and French influences, and Costa confirms “the meals is lovingly ready” and made with seasonal elements. The true star of the present, nonetheless, is the terrace. You’ll be able to dine exterior overlooking the mountains and the city of Gstaad.

Posthotel Rössli

“Apart from the extremely advisable eating places like Sonnenhof in Saanen or Rössli in Feutersoey, it is at all times a delight to take pleasure in conventional Swiss dishes at Posthotel Rössli or Resort Kernen in Schönried,” says Roth-Reuteler. The oldest inn in Gstaad, Posthotel Rössli was inbuilt 1845 and has two cozy eating places, Alti Put up and Stübli.

Alpine Huts and Mountain Farms

Cheese and views abound at a lot of Gstaad’s alpine huts and mountain farms. Self-service fridges at locations just like the Alp vordere Wispile and Rastplatz Gspan maintain alpine cheese, dried sausage, nuts, drinks, and candy treats. Carry money, and be sure you verify the timing earlier than heading up—some are solely open from July to September.

Finest Procuring

Pedestrians passing by shops on the promenade in Gstaad, Switzerland.

Valentin Flauraud/Bloomberg through Getty Photographs


Procuring in Gstaad is an expertise in and of itself. The pedestrian-only promenade is lined with luxurious manufacturers like Hermès, Chopard, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Ralph Lauren, all housed within the conventional chalet-style buildings you possibly can’t assist by {photograph} whereas strolling from retailer to retailer. Exterior of these family model names, Roth-Reutele recommends Zwahlen-Hüni AG for its “alpine-chic garments,” Ds Cadenöli for Swiss découpage artwork (also referred to as paper-cutting), and Charly’s Gstaad for goodies and pastries.

Costa additionally has a few favorites on and close to the promenade; he recommends Marina Anouilh and Trois Pommes for clothes and accessories. However, he provides, “You can’t miss the nice bookshop in Saanen, Librairie des Alpages … or the cheese store Molkerei Gstaad.” The latter even has a refrigerated merchandising machine exterior that serves all types of dairy merchandise, together with cheese, milk, and yogurt.

Finest Time to Go to

Promenade of Gstaad, Switzerland.

Bogdan Lazar/Adobe Inventory


Gstaad has two major seasons—summer time and winter—though Roth-Reuteler says fall, with the “altering colours of the season,” can be pleasant. In summer time, outside actions and festivals spring to life within the village. “The temperature in summer time is ideal for sports activities actions or sunbathing by the pool all day lengthy. In distinction to most locations in Europe, it doesn’t get too scorching, now we have no warmth waves, and it’s the right place to flee the frenzy of the massive cities,” says Costa.

In fact, in case you’re coming to Gstaad to ski (or simply expertise the après-ski scene), goal for December via February; once I skied there in early March, the situations weren’t very best, and the snow was a bit too slushy in some areas. “Winter, with the whole panorama superbly coated in snow, has an unbeatable look and attracts everybody to take pleasure in all winter sports activities actions,” says Roth-Reuteler.

“If there’s a time to keep away from, it’s presumably the month of November, because the climate could be a little disagreeable, daylight is getting shorter, and all of us watch for the primary snowfall,” she provides, noting that the majority inns, eating places, and retailers are closed throughout this to to arrange for the winter. Costa additionally mentions the posh inns within the village are solely open from June to September, and from December to March, so plan accordingly.

How you can Get There

Cityscape of Gstaad, Switzerland.

xbrchx/Getty Photographs


Most worldwide vacationers visiting Gstaad will fly into Zurich Airport (ZRH) or Geneva Airport (GVA); you possibly can take the general public transportation from both. I’d advocate downloading the SBB Cell app for straightforward route navigation and shopping for a Swiss Journey Go earlier than arrival; the all-in-one cross grants you limitless journey through practice, bus, and boat, though there are some exceptions. I flew into Zurich, and the three-hour journey couldn’t have been simpler, even after a red-eye flight, or extra scenic.

How you can Get Round

You’ll be able to drive to Gstaad, however the middle of the village is pedestrian-only. For those who don’t have the Swiss Journey Go—and plan on largely staying in Gstaad—you should utilize the Gstaad Card. You’ll obtain the cardboard out of your host (like a lodge) during your keep, offering you entry to journey public transportation between Saanenland and Simmental. Biking or e-biking round Gstaad and between villages can be a preferred solution to discover the realm between the months of Could and October.



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