A New Chapter of Alpine Luxury

Are classic grand hotels the past or the future of luxury?
The beauty of Le Grand Bellevue is its ability to be a grand hotel, housed in a classic chassis, but with a nod to contemporary style and needs. It is not a ‘hip hotel’, nor a pure palace hotel, but rather draws on qualities from each whilst staying unquestionably luxurious. Classic grand hotels are beautiful, like fine old master paintings. However, unlike the painting whose protected features only bloom over time, a hotel requires adaptation, investment, and should evolve to bear with the times. Too many classic hotels are frozen in time and slowly lose allure. I believe there will always be a place, however, for those wonderful properties that still reflect timeless qualities, but it is important to understand the changing consumer… Everyone loves to live in a dream, and these properties can deliver that!

In a crowded luxury market, what makes Bellevue truly unique today?
There are many outstanding hotels in the world and particularly in Gstaad.  Whilst Forte’s adage of the three most important credentials for a hotel being ‘location, location, location’, our central location on the Promenade is unique of the five-star hotel establishments. However, whilst we all have extraordinary and extensive luxurious facilities, it is the successful pairing of refined luxury with an understated and relaxed tone which most delivers the inimitable luxury that is the Bellevue. The staff’s ability to be unquestionably elegant in their formal attention to detail merges beautifully with a very personal delivery – and I believe this makes the guest remarkably comfortable and appropriately spoilt!

How will this investment sharpen Bellevue’s identity in Gstaad?
There are three core pillars to the new development.  The first is to introduce some of the most remarkable and stunning suite accommodations, such as two 300-square-metre penthouse suites or the multi-room interconnecting units.  The second element is the introduction of a high-end clinic with a wellness focus covering over 650 square metres, leaning on many of our core interests such as longevity, diagnostics, and health-span.  The latter is key to the true value of our hospitality and includes elements that will be integrated in-suite. Lastly, we shall introduce two new exciting dining outlets, one of which will be able to draw the finest guest chefs from all over the world.

What is your big vision for Le Grand Bellevue with this new investment?
Rather than call this a ‘big vision’, I would say we have big ambitions for the property’s longevity. As with all businesses, one cannot predict the future. However, addressing all of the possible challenges was core to defining the programme: larger room formations with additional components such as kitchenettes to allow for longer stays or more luxurious set ups;  a clinic to drive off-peak activity and enhance true guest wellness and health; Diverse entertainment facilities and restaurants to address varied age and interest related pursuits, and merely better infrastructure and back of house for improved working efficiencies. Most important is the likely gain of extending the season to present sound yearly positions to the majority of our staff and offering them a true career at Le Grand Bellevue.

Was there ever a moment of doubt? And what convinced you to move ahead?
Admittedly, a few years back, we had building permissions for a lucrative programme that included the construction of three large chalets. The density that that would have inflicted on Gstaad troubled us, so we held back, and subsequently decided to reduce the project to two buildings.  Sacrificing the building of 1,000 square metres of sellable property was a major financial consideration, but this respectful balance gave us confidence that the additional features would not only bring value in terms of facilities, but also in maintaining Gstaad as a beautiful and not overly developed destination.