One of Switzerland’s last family-run hotels, the remarkable Gstaad Palace with its prime position nestled on a hill in the Bernese valley is a truly iconic property. Built in 1913 and in its third generation of the Scherz family, the Swiss Alps hotel has a long and proud history of excellence. Recently ranked at number 4 on the list of the Top 15 Hotels in Central Europe in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2020, there is no better hotel to escape to this festive season and thanks to flexible booking conditions and tried and tested safety measures, nothing stands in the way of a holiday in Gstaad’s winter wonderland.
The yearning for winter and a white Christmas is growing, and now is the time to dream to get out into the fresh air in the snow-covered Saanenland. At the Gstaad Palace, all the arrangements have been made to ensure the guests can once again enjoy winter magic and Christmas sparkle in the hotel’s traditionally informal atmosphere.
“Despite the challenging conditions, we are able to maintain the usual high level of top-quality service our guests are accustomed to. We are also seeing a significant increase in Swiss visitors: Almost half our summer guests travelled here from within the borders – a trend that is set to continue during the upcoming winter season,” says third-generation owner Andrea Scherz.
The Hotelier of the Year 2019 and co-president of the initiative “Die Schweiz fährt Ski!” (“Switzerland goes skiing!”) goes on to explain: “We have revised our booking conditions for improved flexibility and are providing our guests with the option to cancel their booking free of charge prior to arrival. Thanks to our tried and tested safety concept and the measures that have been put in place across all of Gstaad, nothing stands in the way of a relaxed winter holiday for all the family.”
Here, VIPs can indulge in a first-class culture of hospitality. The hotel is home to 90 rooms and suites, all of which combine contemporary glamour with alpine coziness to create tasteful and inviting spaces. The entire property, whether in the restaurants, rooms or spa, boasts picturesque views over the Bernese Oberland.
An epicurean’s dream, the hotel’s five restaurants serve an array of Swiss, Italian and international specialties and gourmet cuisine that have been awarded with 15 Gault Millau points. The famed GreenGo nightclub housed within the hotel is renowned for its legendary parties and illustrious clientele. The exclusive Palace Spa spans 1800 square meters and is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.
The Walig Hut, an alpine hut that dates back to 1783, is a unique retreat situated at an altitude of 1700 metres where guests can experience the real luxury of the Saanenland and Gstaad Palace, where peace, tranquility, and authenticity reign supreme. During the upcoming winter season, the hotel has curated a special selection of highlights for guests to look forward to:
Family fun – photo shoot with Father Christmas
The host family Scherz is once again offering a range of family activities this winter that will put a smile on the faces of children and adults alike. From horse-drawn carriage outings and pony riding to a visit to Santa Claus and his reindeer in the Palace garden, the holiday season will be filled with endless magical moments. Cinema evenings and the VIK Party – the “Very Important Kids” New Year party – are further highlights to look forward to. With its cross-generational winter programme, the Gstaad Palace demonstrates that luxury hotels and family holidays can go hand-in-hand.
Andrea Scherz comments: “Investment in the next generation is ,of course, a matter for our family-run establishment – after all, the children of today are the regulars of tomorrow.” The concept is paying off: The association HotellerieSuisse rates the Gstaad Palace a “Top Family Hotel” and according to the leading travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gstaad Palace ranks number 4 among the “Top 15 hotels in Central Europe”.
For body, mind and soul – travels around the globe
While more and more Swiss are discovering their home country as a holiday destination, the Palace will again be bringing a taste of the big wide world to Gstaad this season. Whether they’re Indian, Italian-Mediterranean or Moroccan inspired, the beauty treatments and spa experiences from around the world promise pure relaxation in the hotel’s 1800-square-metre wellness area. No wonder then that experts in the wellness sector recently awarded the Palace Spa the title “World’s Best Hotel Spa 2020”.
In keeping with the motto “journeys around the globe”, Culinary Director Franz W. Faeh and his team will be conjuring up internationally inspired creations every day. Of course, no winter visit is complete without also indulging in a fondue or raclette dinner in the “Fromagerie”. Outside the hotel, the Saanenland’s ski slopes, ice skating rinks and winter hiking trails are waiting to be discovered – not forgetting the range of family-friendly toboggan runs. This winter, as always, guests at the Gstaad Palace will find all the ingredients for a typically Swiss winter experience – even though this year is anything but typical.
Family matters: Gstaad Palace winter highlights 20/21 for big and small
Gstaad Palace’s jam-packed winter calendar includes the following activities:
- 23/12/2020 | Horse-drawn carriage rides around the Palace neighbourhood
- 24/12/2020 | Photo shoot with Santa Claus and his reindeer in the Palace garden
- 24/12/2020 | Magical film screening in the Palace cinema
- 25/12/2020 | Children’s Christmas with enchanting guests
- 27/12/2020 | Pony riding around the Palace
- 28/12/2020 | Pyjama party with movie magic and pillow fight
- 31/12/2020 | VIK party – New Year fun for Very Important Kids
- 31/12/2020 | Elegant New Year’s Eve dinner
- 02/01/2021 | New Year party for kids
- 13/02/2021 | Falcons, eagles and owls demonstrate their aerial skills
- 14/02/2021 | Valentine’s Day at the Palace – a celebration of love with Chopard
- 17/02/2021 | Children’s disco – the younger guests get to rock in the GreenGo for once
- 19/02/2021 | Saint Bernard dogs visit the Palace
- 20/02/2021 | Les Recycleuses – stylish accessories to make yourself
- 27/02/2021 | “Our little farm” – come and meet the four-legged inhabitants of the hotel garden
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To find out more and to book, visit Gstaad Palace’s website.