Gstaad Palace

"Glamour is built into the Gstaad Palace’s DNA: Liz Taylor and Richard Burton were regulars, and Michael Jackson wanted to buy it. But for all that, this hotel is more about quiet elegance than the flash-your-cash glitz on show in St. Moritz. For more than a century, Europe’s aristocracy has made a beeline for the palace, which towers over the impossibly pretty village where the likes of Prada and Louis Vuitton have quaint chalet shops. With its turrets backed by the majestic mountain scenery, it looks like something conjured up by Disney. The real magic, though, is inside. Since the 1930s, the Scherz family, which owns the hotel, has created less a grand institution and more a relaxed second home in the mountains, albeit one with a dress code. Generations of the same family visit year after year, greeting the staff like long-lost friends and congregating in the capacious lobby bar after time on the slopes or by the pool. Bedrooms have the feel of a Swiss chalet about them, with nothing too startling to detract from the Alpine panoramas. In the restaurant, often visited by English singer Robbie Williams, chef Franz Faeh’s food is served with theatrical flair. You don’t even have to open your menu before ordering—it’s that kind of place. It's the kind of place, too, where you can imagine a guest turning up with 150 suitcases, demanding liters of Evian water to wash with, or insisting their cat be fed 50 grams of caviar a day. This is a hotel where the extraordinary feels like an everyday affair. From $980. —Jane Knight" - CNT Editors

"As far as Alps skiing goes, Gstaad’s location in the Sarine Valley in western Switzerland, is ideal for beginners and those who are sensitive to high altitudes (1,400 is the highest point, making this a fine introduction to European piste, and off-piste, activity). As delightful as it is to ski or snowboard in one of the country’s toniest towns (Madonna and Justin Timberlake are fans, to name a couple of celebs), it’s even better unwinding back at the ultra luxurious Gstaad Palace . If the cold weather is wreaking havoc on your face, consider the rejuvenating facial (Augustinus Bader products are a featured part of the service), or book a spa suite and prepare to be scrubbed down until your dry, wintery skin is once again buttery soft, supple, and smooth."

"The Gstaad Palace is exceptional for several reasons. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Gstaad Palace is that it is one of the last family-owned and managed luxury hotels in the country. This legacy of family ownership and management adds a personal touch and a commitment to tradition and excellence that sets it apart from many other establishments. Our dedication to guest privacy and to discretion makes it a favoured destination for celebrities and those seeking a tranquil retreat. Many of our employees have been with the Palace for over a decade, which is a testament to the hotel's commitment to providing first-rate service and creating a welcoming and familiar atmosphere for guests.The most valuable thing I learned at EHL that I draw on every day at the hotel is the comprehensive training and practical experience I gained in all the major departments of a hotel. This well-rounded education has been instrumental in helping me understand my colleagues and work effectively with them." - Le Guide MICHELIN

"Driving through the Bernese valleys, climbing up the steep and bendy roads, there’s an extraordinary moment when you first see the Palace on the hill. The magic of it—the vertiginous proportions, the sparklingness of it all – are at the same time fairy-tale pastiche and timeless classic. There’s a magnetic allure; families have been coming here for generations, along with fallen royals, fashion designers and film stars. Everyone gathers, lounging on sofas by the fire or propping up the bar in the huge lobby which seems to spread out in every direction, filled with stories and intrigue. Later they all head downstairs to GreenGo, to dance with John Travolta and kiss in corners. It’s louche and glittery but still rarefied. It used to be that there were no other hotels of note in ridiculously pretty Gstaad. Now there are several, but the Palace is still queen, a proper grande old dame, with a twinkle in her eye." - Melinda Stevens