Indulge in Gstaad's boutiques, fine dining, and year-round activities

A giant mythological creature, fish in beeswax and fluffy dog beds: at The Alpina Gstaad luxury hotel, animals play more than just an insignificant supporting role. Nevertheless, they also need to be able to behave appropriately, as author Titus Arnu found out during his stay as a guest in Gstaad with his Labrador Oskar.

The world is changing. That has always been the case. And the luxury hotel industry has often been at the forefront of developments when it comes to innovation. Just think of hotel pioneer Johannes Badrutt, who installed Switzerland’s first electrical system above his Kulm hotel in St. Moritz, creating a furore with his festively illuminated Belle Époque halls.

What could be better these days than immersing yourself in the snowy countryside, stopping off at the best chefs, exploring the mountains on skis and toasting to the sunny side of life – all on this road trip.

Once upon a time, exactly on the 8th of December 1913, the Gstaad Palace opened its doors to what has become a real fairy-tale destination. For 110 years, season after season we have been lucky to welcome so many wonderful guests to our home up in the Alps.

Franz Faeh is fluent in seven languages and can cook hundreds of dishes off the cuff. His most outstanding qualities, however, must be his warmth and dry humour.

Chef de Bar, Gstaad Palace. Mario Guzzetti’s tip: When the Bar Manager is on his travels, he tends to frequent bars and restaurants with just as much history as his own bar. The Widder Bar in Zurich or the Leopard Bar in Geneva, for example. And he always favours a seat at the bar. “That way you can keep an eye on the action and get a proper feel for the place.”

The classics of haute cuisine.