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Gstaad Palace *****

Palacestrasse 28 CH | 3780 Gstaad | Switzerland |

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Certificate of Excellence

TripAdvisor, 2018

From 649CHF/room

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KIDS LOVE

Kids-club for ages 3 to 12
Treasure hunts
Summer tennis training camp

PARENTS LOVE

Skiing in winter, hiking in summer
The 1,800 sqm spa
The hotel’s nightclub

LOCATION

The Gstaad Palace is a sublime, five-star superior hotel, kids-friendly hotel located in the famous destination of Gstaad, in the south-west of Switzerland.

It is easy to reach the hotel by car, train or plane. From Geneva and Basel International airports, it takes 2 hours by car and 2.5 hours from Zurich airport. Other tourist destinations such as Interlaken or Montreux can be reached in just an hour’s drive.

Known around the world for its beauty and refinement, Gstaad is considered the pearl of the Alps. This high-end destination has kept its authenticity over the decades. The villages that make up the station are between 1000 and 1400 meters above sea level and are populated with pretty wooden chalets. Today there are still no less than 80 cultivated pastures and 7000 cows that make up a landscape of incredible beauty. The meadows, streams, lakes and forests are surrounded by an impressive mountain panorama, conducive to relaxation and escape.

The Gstaad Palace enjoys a privileged location. The establishment is set like a jewel on the Oberbort hill, known as the most exclusive place overlooking Gstaad village. The view of the Bernese and Valais Alps is breathtaking!

The locals are proud of their traditions and show a unique sense of hospitality.

DESCRIPTION

The Gstaad Palace is a century old hotel that was inaugurated in 1913. Today, it belongs to the Scherz family, which has been running it for three generations. Over the decades, celebrities such as Marlene Dietrich, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong have frequented the hotel.

The legendary Gstaad Palace consists of :

90 rooms and suites
5 restaurants
2 bars
1 indoor pool
1 outdoor heated Olympic pool (open in summer)
1 spa
1 gym
1 activity room
4 clay tennis courts (accessible in summer)
1 squash court,
5 conference rooms
4 luxury shops
1 nightclub
1 high-quality baby-sitting service
1 COMPLIMENTARY kids-club for children between 3 and 12 years old

accommodations

The hotel’s rooms and suites offer unparalleled comfort and décor where traditional mountain style blends with contemporary influences. The noble materials such as stone, wood, leather and exceptional fabrics form a cozy and luxurious universe, without being ostentatious.

The rooms and suites have been designed for families: their area is generous and most can be connected to each other by an interior door, to separate the children’s room from that of parents.

Different types of rooms are available:

– The elegant Classic Rooms are approximately 33 sqm and offer a view of the surrounding charming chalets. The interior design impresses with its modern alpine character and the bathroom is equipped with a bathtub. Most of these rooms have a connecting door to a Deluxe Junior Suite. A cot can be added in the rooms.

– The beautifully designed Deluxe Room Mountain View rooms (46 sqm) come in three different colours. Their balconies offer a wonderful view over the garden and the breathtaking alpine landscape. Besides a comfortable seating area, they have a bathroom with bathtub and separate shower. Sofa beds and/or space for an additional bed are available. These rooms can be extended with another Deluxe Room or a Deluxe Junior Suite.

– The Alpine Suite Mountain View (72 sqm) is divided into 2 separate rooms. The elegant bedroom has an en suite bathroom with bath and shower as well as a large dressing room. The living room offers a dining area, including a wet bar and sofa or sofa bed. The separate guest bathroom provides additional privacy. You enjoy a view of the Bernese Alps from the balcony. The suite can be connected to a Superior Room.

– The Penthouse Three Bedroom Suite is the ultimate in luxury. Offering 240 sqm of living space, this exceptional suite is located on the roof of the hotel and features 3 bedrooms. Two of them have an en suite bathroom with bath and shower including steam bath. The living room with dining area impresses with a wine cabinet and humidor. Special enticing extras include a small kitchen and a corner seating arrangement with fireplace. A Jacuzzi and private sauna in the Palace tower round off the royal experience.

Families looking for originality and total change of scenery will be able to stay in the Walig Hut. Built in 1783 and perched at 1700 meters above sea level, this rustic and luxurious chalet can accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children, but can also accommodate families and groups of friends for a lunch or dinner (groups of 4 to 14 people). Recently, the acclaimed Condé Nast Traveler magazine voted the Walig Hut “Best Wilderness Hotel”. A real must!

GASTRONOMY

The Gstaad Palace gives special importance to the pleasures of the table, through its 5 restaurants and 2 bars. Each restaurant has a special menu for children.

The Grill is a rotisserie rated 15/20 Gault-Millau guide who offers an international map and a unique environment with its impressive open kitchen.

Gildo’s Ristorante will delight lovers of Italian cuisine.

La Fromagerie is a charming Swiss restaurant where you can enjoy some of the most famous dishes such as truffle and champagne cheese fondue or traditional raclette. Classics to enjoy with your family, for an unforgettable moment.

The Grand Restaurant and La Grande Terrasse offer gourmet cuisine in a more contemporary atmosphere. The view of the gardens and the mountains is breathtaking! Every Saturday evening, a refined buffet awaits gourmets.

In summer, the Snack Bar invites you to share a friendly barbecue, just steps from the outdoor jacuzzi and the pool.

Finally, The Lobby Bar and The Bar du Grill each have live music. These two bars have a lounge for smokers: the perfect place to enjoy a cigar. The Lobby Bar is very famous in Gstaad. It is a trendy place, conducive to meetings and relaxation. At any time of day, the bar serves small dishes, even when the other restaurants of the hotel are already closed.

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FOR THE KIDS

Baby-club
Kids-club
Teens activities
Sports activities
Kid's excursions
Crafts
Games and books
Connecting rooms
Baby-sitting
Kid's menu
Allergen-free menu
Welcome gift
Emergency baby bottle
Bottle warmers
Baby phone
Baby cosmetics
Baby bath
Baby cribs
Stroller
Baby chair
Emergency pacifier
Shuttle with baby seat
Potty
Kid's shop
Lifeguard
Nearby Hospital
Nearby doctor

for the children

The Gstaad Palace places the family at the center of its concerns! Each year, a varied program is offered to children. This program of activities changes every week and is geared towards children from 5 to 12 years old, but children from 3 to 5 years old are welcome to participate under the supervision of an adult.

The kids-club of the hotel consists of 2 splendid indoor games rooms and a large outdoor playground. The kids club is open from 3 pm to 9 pm and access is free for hotel guests.

The animators in charge of supervising children are experienced and passionate. Activities are numerous: sports tournaments, treasure hunts, games, reading workshops, crafts, pastry courses, face painting, etc.

During the Winter season on certain Wednesdays, the disco of the hotel is especially open to children for an afternoon Kids Mini Disco anthology!

Every summer, the hotel organizes a week of tennis lessons for children aged 7 to 16: the MRB Tennis Concept. This exceptional course is organized by Marc Rosset, one of the most famous Swiss tennis players in the world, who has won numerous ATP tournaments, but also the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. The morning is devoted to tennis, while the afternoon is dedicated to other activities practiced outdoors.

A hand-picked baby-sitters service is available on request.

The hotel’s indoor pool is open every day from 7.30 am to 9 pm in winter and 8 pm in summer. You can dive in the outdoor pool with jacuzzi, every day from 8.30 am to 9 pm and 8 pm in summer. Children under 14 are welcome, under the supervision of an adult.

The equipment and accessories available to parents are worthy of a 5-star palace: baby bottle and pacifier, loan stroller, baby-phone, bottle warmer, board games and books, cosmetics adapted to the skin babies and young children in the room, etc.

For the safety of the little ones, a lifeguard watches over the outdoor swimming pool. In case of a boil, a doctor and a hospital are nearby.

In summer, during the Sunday brunch, a giant inflatable castle, the perfect replica of the Gstaad Palace, is installed in the hotel gardens. Fun guaranteed!

family EXPERIENCES

The ski lovers will find their happiness on the 220 kilometers of slopes and on the ski area of the glaciers of the Oberland, whose culminating point at 3000 meters of altitude offers the guarantee of always benefiting from a generous snow, and this, from October to May. Gstaad is one of Switzerland’s three best cross-country ski areas and is considered a paradise for luge and freeride enthusiasts. The concierge at Gstaad Palace will be happy to book your ski rentals, packages and lessons for you and your children.

Ice skating, tobogganing and ski lessons will delight your children. The hotel’s concierge is at your disposal to plan these activities for you and may even suggest more original excursions that will remain forever etched in your children’s memory, such as horse carriage rides, hot-air ballooning, snowshoeing or sled dogs.

In summer, no less than 300 kilometers of hiking trails and many cable cars are available to you. Activities abound: mountain biking, climbing, fishing, paragliding, horseback riding, … but also a sumptuous 18-hole golf course.

From May to October, children and adults alike can enjoy summer sledge on the Glacier 3000 Alpine Coaster or on the Rellerli slopes. Strong sensations guaranteed!

Discovering the mountain is also an opportunity to get closer to nature and the animals that compose it. We strongly recommend visiting the Alpenruhe Foundation, an extraordinary place with a large playground, a miniature railway with a small train for children, but also and above all a zoo where it is possible to pet dwarf pigs, goats, alpacas and llamas.

Shopping addicts will not be left out: sports shops, art galleries, jewelery shops, decoration stores and international designers meet in the picturesque alleys of the resort.

FOR THE PARENTS

The Palace Spa is simply the most beautiful spa in Gstaad. Entry to the spa is offered to hotel guests, while external guests pay 70 CHF per day (reservation required, minimum age 14 years). This exclusive wellness center of 1800 sqm (19375 sqft) has 8 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, saunas and steam rooms, a lounge area with fireplace. The view of the mountain is spectacular, as is the impressive stone wall of the country, 60 meters long! Mom can be tempted by a manicure or pedicure Opi (from 70 CHF), while Dad will be carried by one of the many relaxing or energizing massages (from 160 CHF/50 minutes).

The hotel has a gym. You can choose to train alone or book the services of a private coach who will help you achieve your goals. The coach is at the disposal of single people and groups up to 4 people. Yoga classes are also offered.

From 11 pm, the Greengo invites you to sway on the rhythms trend of the moment. Since 1971, this nightclub housed within the Gstaad Palace attracts jetsetters night owls. In a very ’70s’ atmosphere, Mom and Dad will be able to party until the end of the night, while the children will be under the supervision of the babysitter.

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24/24 check-in
Bar
Beauty salon
Boutique
Business center
Cigar cellar
Concierge
Conference room
Fitness room
Hairdresser
Hammam
Indoor Pool
Library
Outdoor pool
Parking
Pets friendly
Restaurant
Room service
Sauna
Spa
Tennis
Valet parking
Wheelchair access
WiFi
Yoga

OUR enchanting WINTER BREAK IN GSTAAD PALACE

Menno, Founder of the blog Top With Kids, aged 46, married, father of Tess (10) and Wende (7), from Arnhem, Holland

Miles before entering the picturesque Swiss town of Gstaad, we already spot our place of destination rising high above the rest. We earlier informed our daughters that our next stop would be a ‘princess castle’. And so, full of anticipation, they sit with their noses pressed against the car windows right from the start of our journey. It takes quite some time, but then their waiting gets rewarded. “Look mum and dad, there is a pink castle in the snow! Is that where we are going?”.

MAGICAL ARRIVAL

Gstaad Palace sure lives up to its name. The white-pink building complete with towers and crenellations is not your typical modern Disney clone. On the contrary, this is the ‘grande dame’ of luxury hotels in Switzerland. The construction of the railway line to Montreux in 1904 was the start of tourism in Gstaad and ever since building the hotel in 1913, Gstaad Palace has been the meeting point for the international jet set looking for sporty and other sorts of entertainment. The hotel lobby is completely decorated with stunning black-and-white pictures that refer to its illustrious past. Celebrities like Louis Armstrong, Marlene Dietrich and Roger Moore were frequent visitors.

The concierges and the ladies of the Communication team charmed us with a warm welcome. The special attention they give our girls, shows that this is a place where they highly prioritise family life. That probably has to do with the hotel being run by the same family for three generations. During our stay, we frequently hear the staff say that they feel like being part of a big family.

WONDERFUL ROOMS

When we later ‘inspect’ our room, our two connected rooms turn out to be very spacious indeed. The Gstaad Palace doesn’t use plastic room keys, but a beautiful old-fashioned key with a substantial tassel. Both rooms come with sitting area, a bathroom with a giant bath and a steam cabin and the most delightful fluffy beds. Our daughters are quick to find out that the hotel offers two free films a day; a wonderful gesture as most hotels charge quite a lot for these amenities. Moreover, the walk-in closet is so big that you can easily swirl around in here for a waltz. Both rooms have French doors opening out onto a huge terrace. Not only a wonderful place to soak up the Alpine sun, but also the ideal spot to launch our drone. These magnificent surroundings are the perfect place for some aerial photos. Needless to say, all this comes with a considerable price tag.

The Gstaad Palace doesn’t use plastic room keys, but a beautiful old-fashioned key with a substantial tassel.

In the lobby, we enjoy a welcome drink and some heavenly pies after which we start to explore the hotel. Evidently, our rooms have more than enough space for the four of us, but if you really want to feel like a royal, then book the Tower suite. This suite measures no less than 200 sqm, divided over two bedrooms, several walk-in closets, a private sauna and jacuzzi and a giant terrace. In case your extended family decides to join you, the Tower suite can even be combined with other suites. Although every room has a splendid view, there is always – so to speak –a king of the castle. The completely renovated Penthouse suite towers high up at the top. The happy few who are lucky enough to stay in this suite, are bound to enjoy some uninterrupted mountain views. A spacious living and dining area and three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms guarantee a comfortable stay for large families.

RELAX AT THE SPA

Gstaad Palace knows how to create an interesting balance between classic, Heritage and innovation. The best example of this innovation is the beautifully designed Spa. The 60 m long back wall is made of local granite, the most beautiful wood species and marble. Spread over nearly 2,000 sqm, there is a spacious lounge with a fireplace, eight treatment rooms, several saunas and steam baths and a very special hammam. This unique experience takes you on a 2-hour journey through seven different rooms, each with their own treatment or experience. After a foot ritual, steam bath, oil massage and an almost weightless session in the floating pool, you feel reborn. Then get into the oversized jacuzzi that, via a sluice, gives access to a small heated outdoor pool where you have the most magnificent view over the surrounding mountains. If you want to treat someone special to a really unique experience, then book the private Spa where you can undisturbedly enjoy some quality time with your loved one. Needless to say, such a treat comes with a price tag.

A PARADISE FOR TODDLERS & SKIERS

In the meantime, our girls enjoy themselves with a wide range of toys and an enormous dolls’ house or, when they are older, with gaming computers. If weather permits, there is a large playground outside. A few hours each day, a qualified nanny organises activities for children. Our girls just love hanging out with her and work on their bead necklaces with their tongues stuck out. Despite all the fun, we need to move on to have our skis sized as we are planning to go skiing the next day.

And we’ve sure come to the right place for skiing. It is not without reason that Gstaad Palace has been awarded one of the world’s best winter sports hotels on numerous occasions. To begin with, the hotel has got its own in-house ski shop. In a very leisurely way, the girls and we get geared up in a fitting ski outfit that is stored until we need it for our skiing trip the following day. With the same ease, the hotel organises a private instructor, who even speaks Dutch, and who takes us under his wings. Ski passes, transport to the skiing lifts, a packed lunch, really nothing is too much and makes for a perfect day on the slopes. Our daughters are first-time skiers and we are taken by surprise how well they are doing. Luckily, it is not crowded on the ski slopes and, unhindered, we can slide down the mountain.

The hotel organises a private instructor, who even speaks Dutch, and who takes us under his wings.

For the experienced skier who has seen and done it all, there is the possibility to have a helicopter drop you off on a high remote alpine slope. It goes without saying that a local guide is highly recommended. A more relaxed means of transport is a balloon flight. The view over the mountains and valleys is breathtaking.

YUMMY RESTAURANTS FOR EVERYONE

Tired yet fulfilled, we return to the hotel where we are warmly welcomed by the staff and by the heated indoor swimming pool with a constant temperature of 29 degrees Celsius. A funny detail is that what seems like the cover of the swimming pool, is actually the dance floor from the neighbouring GreenGo nightclub. At night, the hydraulic comes down and is the place to show your best dance moves. The Gstaad Palace nightclub is internationally renowned. Nothing seems to have changed since the start in 1971; the complete decoration exudes the 1970’s. This is in contradiction to the music which is up-to-date with guest performances by world-famous DJs.

With two young children, we go for our bit of fun elsewhere. One of the highlights is dinner in the fondue restaurant “La Fromagerie”. In the laidback atmosphere of an authentic Swiss mountain hut, we enjoy the legendary Truffle & Champagne cheese fondue while the girls are over the moon with the chocolate fondue with fruit we share for dessert. The next day, we do it all over again, but this time in the Italian restaurant “Gildo’s Ristorante”. Once again, we are impressed by the warm welcome we get from the staff. Nothing is too much for them and we savour the pasta prepared at the table by the chef.

Both restaurants are perfect for a family dinner. Restaurant “Le Grill” is more formal, with a show kitchen and a renowned wine cellar. The place to be for a romantic dinner where guests are expected in formal attire. The same applies to “Le Grand Restaurant”. Although each restaurant has its own cuisine and atmosphere, they are not far away from each other. This gives the feeling of a lively village square where there’s something to everyone’s liking.

As soon as the sun peeps out, the large terrace in front of the hotel is set up. A great place to have breakfast. This is just as much a culinary feast with fresh fruit, the most delicious cappuccinos, local cheeses and meat, pancakes, waffles, eggs every way you want them, and so on.

LARGE SPORTS OFFER

After all these culinary highlights and skiing and snowboarding, it’s time for a bit of ice skating on the ice rink in the centre of Gstaad. Here, you can put on your skates for a nice spin on the ice or maybe a game of ice hockey with some other ice lovers. Or, if you want to go up into the mountains: close to the hotel, there is the possibility to whizz down the mountain on a traditional wooden sledge. There are various sledge runs each with their own level of difficulty. Still, it also has got something to do with the quality of the snow. We opt for a sledge run that seems to have turned into a superfast slide as a result of frozen snow. The girls scream with laughter whereas we need to do all we can to reach the valley in once piece. An extra dimension is the night sledging descent on the Wispille where the sledge run is led by torches. True adrenaline junkies can fly down the slopes on an airboard and reach the valley in no time.

Close to the hotel, there is the possibility to whizz down the mountain on a traditional wooden sledge.

At the hotel, you can go for a round of squash or hit the ball on one of the three indoor tennis courts nearby. Yet, Gstaad Palace is not only the place to be for winter sports. The hotel’s outdoor Olympic swimming pool is very much in demand – apparently the first one ever with such dimensions in Europe. In the summer, there are no less than four outdoor tennis courts. Children who love to play tennis, can work on their tennis skills under professional guidance during the ‘Tennis and Mountain Week’ and explore the mountains and do all sorts of fun activities in the afternoon. Bike enthusiasts, and in particular mountain bikers, can also test their limits in this mecca for outdoor sports. And what about fishing, rafting or canyoning – all in close proximity to the hotel.

Golf lovers are lucky: just a stone’s throw from the hotel is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Alps, the Gstaad-Saanenland 18-hole golf course. Hikers have the choice of over 300 marked trails. En route, you will find various small cafés for a cup of coffee or a wholesome meal. Real mountain die-hards have the whole of the Alps mountain range to pick from.

And if your activities turn out to be too strenuous after all, there is always a cable car nearby to take you back to the valley in the blink of an eye. Prefer a day of sightseeing? Then we highly recommend the Castle of Gruyères, the Cailler chocolate factory, the city of Montreux and Chillon Castle on the banks of Lake Geneva.

CONCLUSION : WOW

You really feel like a royal at Gstaad Palace. There is nothing the staff wouldn’t do for you. They are all very friendly without being submissive. A true family business where they all put their hearts into their jobs. It is the perfect place for ski and other winter sports lovers. The hotel is happy to organise everything for you – down to even the smallest detail. And after a fun day out in the snow, it is always good to enter the lobby for a hot drink or possibly something stronger. Make sure to visit the hotel in summertime as well. The setting is then completely different which makes it a whole new experience. Also during summer, there is a whole range of activities.

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