Gstaad Palace Switzerland
Gstaad Palace
Palacestrasse 28, 3780 Sion Gstaad
Switzerland
www.palace.ch/en/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Shareholders
Family-owned and managed by Family Scherz
Date of Creation
1913
Hotel General Manager
Andrea Scherz – running the hotel in third generation. Before Gstaad Palace he worked for various hotels such as the Beau-Rivage (Lausanne), the Savoy in London, and the InterContinental in Geneva. Also has a seat in various administrative boards of the tourism and hotel industry such as Swiss Deluxe Hotels, Leading Hotels of the World and the Gstaad-Saanenland Airport Association. Andrea Scherz graduated from the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) and has the highest degree in Hotel Management from the Swiss Hotelier’s Association.
Hotel Positioning
Independent 5-star luxury hotel. Part of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, LHW, Amex FH&R and Signature Travel Network.
Development Strategy
Focus on increasing business from European luxury Travel Designers.
GSTAAD PALACE
History & Story
Opened its doors on 8 Dec 1913. In autumn 1938 Ernst and Silvia Scherz take over the management of the Gstaad Palace – in 1947 family Scherz bought all the shares to make it a family-owned hotel. In the 1960s, gala dinners with international stars such as Louis Armstrong and Marlene Dietrich cause a great sensation and that’s how the hotel got famous worldwide. In 1971 the famous nightclub GreenGo opened. On 8 Dec 2013 the hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary and the “100 Years of Gstaad Palace” anniversary book is published.
Overlooking the surrounding Saanenland, the Gstaad Palace rises from the forest like a fairy-tale castle. Yet the delights and pleasures that await the traveller within its walls are real. Situated in the Bernese Oberland, the five-star hotel is one of the Leading Hotels of the World and has been enchanting visitors since 1913 – not with magic spells, but by offering true hospitality and lived tradition. Sustainability and a close affinity to nature are part of the Palace DNA, which has been in the hands of the Scherz family for three generations. Discretion is a core value in this Swiss luxury hotel, as are cordiality and service with a personal touch. A warm welcome awaits all the family, with special entertainment provided for the kids.
All 90 suites and rooms are individually furnished in a chic, alpine style. They offer highest standards in comfort and fantastic views of the mountain panorama. In summer, Palace guests can enjoy an authentic alpine lunch or dinner at the Walig Hut, a secluded hideaway that is also available for an overnight stay close to the stars.
The Gstaad Palace serves top quality regional produce across its five restaurants. Internationally inspired, the hotel’s cuisine is enriched with a dash of Asian sophistication and a sprinkle of Mediterranean vivacity. The Lobby Bar – also known as Gstaad’s living room – is a popular and convivial meeting place for all, while dancing queens and party kings will feel at home among the dazzling lights of the legendary GreenGo Club. With its comprehensive infrastructure, the Gstaad Palace offers everything required for special celebrations, weddings, meetings and conferences.
Covering 1800 square metres, the Palace Spa is an oasis of mindfulness with jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, lounge and relaxation room. A range of massages and treatments using selected botanical ingredients is offered in a serene environment featuring granite from nearby Lake Blausee, an open log fire and views of the mountains.
While the indoor pool is available all year round, the outdoor «PISCINE» has been a top meeting place for summer visitors to Gstaad since 1928. A favourite with guests and locals alike, the Olympic-sized pool is the perfect place for cooling down. A fitness and Pilates room, as well as tennis and squash courts further complement the range of sporting facilities. The extensive ski area is within easy reach, while the golf course is situated just 19 km away. A gentle stroll of around eight minutes will take hotel guests to Gstaad’s village centre and railway station.
Date Renewal
During both off-seasons (mid-March to mid-June + mid-September to mid-December) the hotel constantly renovates either its rooms, suites or public areas. Last renovation has been done in autumn 2019 on all the west-facing rooms and suites.
Date Added Extensions
1928: First Olympic-sized outdoor pool in Switzerland is built on Gstaad Palace’s ground; 1971: GreenGo opening; 1975: Opening restaurant “La Fromagerie”; 1979: Residences are built; 2000: Penthouse 3-bedroom Suite is built; 2009: Walig Hut (chalet) comes as addition for a unique and authentic Alpine experience.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Family-owned, independent, iconic architecture, place to be in Gstaad, trendsetter in F&B and spa offers.
Location
Gstaad is located in the south western part of Switzerland. The region consists of 9 further chalet villages alongside Gstaad, located between 1,000 and 1,400 meters above sea level. There are great luxury and retail shopping options and it is the perfect place for a family vacation. The Gstaad Airport is located in Saanen, which is a 10min drive from the hotel.
Key sites/activities in the area
• 200 km of ski slopes in Gstaad Saanenland
• Glacier 3000
• Traffic-free Promenade of Gstaad with boutiques and shops
• Different mountain lakes: Lake Lauenen, lake Arnen, lake Seeberg, lake Hornberg reservoir, lake Sanetsch, lake Retaud
• Sport activities possible such as: hiking, biking, mountain biking, golfing, swimming, climbing, skiing & snowboarding, cross-country skiing
Fun Facts
• Our Swiss restaurant, La Fromagerie, used to be a gold vault
• Our Italian restaurant, Gildo’s, was named after one of our former Maître D’s Gildo Bocchini who worked 49 years at the Gstaad Palace
• Michael Jackson wanted to buy the Gstaad Palace!
Children’s Corner
Kids program available and mainly focused on 5 to 12 year olds. 3 to 5 year olds can take part if accompanied by a responsible person.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
Total of 90 rooms
The Suites
•11 Deluxe Junior Suites
Size 55-62m², connecting door, South & West view, balcony.
• 4 Tower Junior Suites
Size 43-59m², 2 out of 4 with connecting door, North & West view, 2 out of 4 with balcony.
• 5 Alpines Suites
Size 72m², connecting door, South view, balcony.
• 4 Corner Suite
Size 92m², connecting door, South view, balcony.
• 4 Deluxe Suite
Size 90m², South view, balcony.
• 2 Tower 2-bedroom Suite
Size 190m², connecting door, South view, balcony.
• 1 Penthouse 3-bedroom Suite
Size 240m², Panoramic view, terrace.
The others Rooms Categories
• 5 Cosy rooms
Size 28-31m², 4 out of 5 connecting door, North view.
• 12 Classic Rooms
Size 33-37m², 7 out of 12 with connecting door, North view.
• 14 Classic Junior Suites
Size 43-50m², 4 out of 14 with connecting door, North & East view, 8 out of 14 with balcony.
• 5 Superior Rooms
Size 43m², connecting door, South view, 4 out of 5 with balcony.
• 17 Deluxe Rooms
Size 46-55m², connecting door, West & South view, 16 out of 17 with balcony.
• 1 Family 2-bedroom
Size 58m², South view.
Restaurants & Bars
• Le Grand Restaurant / La Grande Terrasse :
240 + 130 Seats, International cuisine, main restaurant.
• Le Grill – Rôtisserie :
35 Seats, Gourmet cuisine, 16 Gault Millau.
• La Fromagerie :
90 Seats, Typical Swiss dishes cuisine, winter only.
• Gildo’s Ristorante :
60 Seats, Italian cuisine, winter only.
• Snack Bar :
30 Seats, Light al fresco lunch cuisine, summer only, outside.
• Lobby Bar :
120 Seats, « Gstaad’s living room » ; live music.
• Le Bar du Grill :
60 Seats, elegant atmosphere with live music.
Wellness
Palace Spa opened in Dec 2007. Size: 1800m2. Spa membership possible, Day Spa possible. Heated indoor and outdoor pool, gym, 8 treatment rooms, 1 unique Hammam experience and a relaxation lounge with a fireplace. Personal trainer and group sport classes available.
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Salon du 1er :
21m², 10pax maximum capacity, perfect for smaller, intimate meetings.
• Salle Bridge :
32m², 40pax maximum capacity, can be connected with our biggest meeting venue.
• Salle Expo :
88m², 60pax maximum capacity, can be connected to Le Grand Restaurant.
• Salle Baccarat :
240m², 350pax maximum capacity, equipped with a fireplace and stage.
Extra Notable Features
• Rent a Palace (RAP) offer – privatization of the hotel before and after the winter & summer seasons
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2023
• Rank 9 in die 35 besten Ferienhotels in der Schweiz
SonntagsZeitung (Switzerland)
• Rank 9 in die Feriehotels die 100 Besten Hotels Der Schweiz 2023-2024
Karl Wild Hotelrating Schweiz
• Top 100 World’s Finest Top Suites
Elite Traveler
2022
• 11 Luxurious Hotels in Switzerland, From Fairy-tale Castles to Modern Chalets
Travel + Leisure
• Rank 4 in die 50 besten Ferienhotel der Schweiz 2022
Bilanz (Swiss economics magazine)
• Rank 3 in Top 75 Best Winter Hotels in Switzerland
Karl Wild Hotelrating (Schweiz)
2021
• Number 6 of Best Hotels in Central Europe
Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Awards 2021
• Franz W. Faeh Executive Chef des Jahres 2021
Bilanz (Swiss economics magazine)
• TOP 7 in the category of The Best Luxury Ski Resort Hotels in Europe
Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2021
2020
• Number 4 of Top 15 Hotels in Central Europe
Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Awards 2020
• World’s Best Hotel Spa 2020
6th World Spa Awards
• Stefano Bertalli, Concierge of the Year 2020
Bilanz (Swiss economics magazine)
2019
• Number 2 of the 222 best hotels in Switzerland – Connoisseur Circle Switzerland
• Listed as one of the Top 100 Hotels of the world – Elite Traveler (International travel magazine)
• Number 4 of the best holiday hotels in Switzerland – SonntagsZeitung (CH)
• Andrea Scherz, Hotelier of the year 2019 – SonntagsZeitung (CH)
• Number 1 of the best holiday hotels in Switzerland – Bilanz (Swiss economics magazine)
2018
• Gold list winner as one of the “World’s Top Properties” – Condé Nast Traveler (USA)
• Number 6 of the best holiday hotels in Switzerland – SonntagsZeitung (CH)
• Number 2 of the best holiday hotels in Switzerland – Biland (Swiss economics magazine)
2017
• Gold list winner as one of the “Favorite Ski Lodges Around the World” – Condé Nast Traveler (USA)
• Number 5 of the 75 best winter hotels in Switzerland – SonntagsZeitung (CH)
• Number 1 of the best Ski hotels in Switzerland – Handelszeitung (CH)
2016
• Number 2 of the best holiday hotels in Switzerland – Bilanz (Swiss economics magazine)
• Mario Guzzetti, bar chef of the year 2016 – Bilanz (Swiss economics magazine)
• Number 4 of the 75 best winter hotels in Switzerland – SonntagsZeitung (CH)
Number of employees
Max. 290 in winter, max. 230 in summer