Iconic Gstaad Palace Unveils New Guest Experiences This Summer

Iconic Gstaad Palace Unveils New Guest Experiences This Summer

Gstaad Palace, the five-star grand dame located in the Swiss Alps, and a hotspot for international travelers, royals, and celebrities since 1913, has unveiled an array of new experiences, events, and programming for the upcoming Summer season.

Beginning June 18th, Gstaad Palace, just two hours from Zurich, invites families and friends to reunite in the pristine Swiss countryside to make new lasting memories. Summer is the perfect time to visit the charming chalet-village of Gstaad, the crown jewel of Swiss resort towns. The snow has melted revealing wildflower dotted mountains, the rapids are flowing, and the sun sparkles off the many lakes at the hotel’s doorstep. Summer highlights include:

Gstaad Palace Challenge (August 27th – 29th)

Gstaad is a mecca for classic car collectors and sports car enthusiasts. In celebration and honor of this legacy, Gstaad Palace’s annual Gstaad Palace Challenge returns in August. A dream for ambitious

bon-vivants, the Gstaad Palace Challenge is the most exclusive vintage car rally in Switzerland. Participants will spend the weekend racing fantastic classic cars on challenging and windy roads through the Swiss Alps followed by evenings luxuriating at Gstaad Palace and Michelin-starred dining. Register here.

Poolside: Freshly Renovated Pool Area + New Al-Fresco Bar Experience: <<BAR PISCINE>>

Afternoons spent lounging by Gstaad Palace’s Olympic size pool surrounded by pristine Alpine landscapes, are a summer tradition. This season brings a completely renovated pool area and the addition of <<BAR PISCINE>> an outdoor bar serving seasonal summer favorites in a relaxed and picturesque setting. Reminiscent of the Gstaad Slim Aarons captured so well, <<BAR PISCINE>> serves cool drinks, a seasonal lunch menu followed by a light Aperitivo toward dinnertime, and other snacks best enjoyed languishing poolside. On the weekends, resident DJ Greengo brings the party poolside with evening DJ sets as the sun dips behind the mountains.  Opening July 2nd; Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-7pm; Friday to Sunday 10am-8pm.

New Culinary Experiences

With access to local farmers, producers, and makers, the Swiss Alps has a burgeoning and exciting culinary scene – rooted in Swiss tradition with a German, French, and Northern influence. Summer at the Palace promises new al-fresco culinary experiences with locally sourced cheeses, dairy and fresh summer produce that celebrate the beauty of Gstaad in the summer. Highlights include:

  • Heli Lunch – The talented Gstaad Palace concierge team can arrange for you to be whisked away by helicopter from Gstaad to the top of the Matterhorn. During this short flight, you will see charming Chalet villages, Alpine cows and goats grazing mountainside, and pristine lakes. At the top, with the striking Matterhorn as your backdrop, enjoy champagne aperitif and a gourmet picnic before returning to the Palace. Booking accessible here.
  • Table for Two –New this summer is ‘Table for Two,’ a specially curated lunch experience where guests can enjoy an al-fresco lunch from the al la carte menu at their own table under the shade of an Alpine tree and hidden within the fragrant Palace herb and wildflower garden. Reservations available daily for guests and the public.
  • Mountainside Picnics – Choose between two gourmet picnic baskets to enjoy on a grassy knoll or overlooking one of the magical lakes found only by exploring the region via hiking trails. The Mountain Picnic includes rosemary rotisserie chicken, mountain cheese, regional pork sausage, fresh fruits, salad, carrot cake and cookies. Alternatively, choose the traditional Swiss BBQ inspired hamper and enjoy Cristal de boeuf, raw ham, Swiss sausage, “Zopf”, veal sausage, potato and Swiss pasta salad, marble cake, and more. Reservations available via concierge.
  • Walig Hut Lunch – No visit to Gstaad is complete without a signature lunch at the Palace Walig Hut. Little sister to the illustrious Gstaad Palace, the Walig Hut gives guests a chance to take in the majesty of the surrounding area while nestled in the picturesque valleys of Gstaad and Saanenland. Built in 1786, the charming hut was once home to local farmers as a summer stay when shepherding cattle and has been minimally restored to maintain its purity and authenticity. This summer, guests can host their own intimate mountaintop barbeque or fondue lunch experience or arrange for an overnight stay in secluded bliss.  More information here.
  • Gildo’s Cooking Class Legendary former Maître D’ Gildo Bocchini returns to Gstaad Palace for one weekend of cooking classes. Master the Italian art of making the perfect spaghetti and Negroni. July 16 – 18th; pricing begins at $1,500 and limited to 12 participants.
  • Alpine Indian – Back this summer by popular demand is Chef Ravi Bajaj who brings bright and vibrant Indian cuisine to the beautiful Swiss Alps. Chef Ravi Bajaj joins the Gstaad Palace family from July through September where he takes over the kitchen at La Grande Terrasse and Le Grand Restaurant making for a can’t miss summer season culinary tradition.

Outdoor Excursions

The vast mountain landscapes and beauty of the Sannenland are best appreciated outdoors. The region is a mountain playground with trails leading to hidden lakes dotted with forget me nots, crocuses, and lupines. Whether you like adrenaline-kicks or more relaxing activities, the Saananland has it all: hiking, biking, alpine coaster rides, stand-up paddling, paragliding, canoeing, river rafting, swimming, fishing, scenic train rides, and more. The Gstaad Palace concierge team can arrange unforgettable outdoor experiences for you and your group including:

  • Mountain and E-BikingWith access to over 500m of biking trails, Gstaad is a cyclist’s paradise. What better way to explore the Swiss Alps than by bike with the sun in your face and the gentle mountain breeze at your back.
  • Tennis with legendary Roy Emerson For more than 40 years, the 28 Grand Slam title holder has taken up summer residency in Gstaad. For the lucky guests of the Palace, Roy offers week-long tennis bootcamps which guests throughout the world return to year after year.  More information here.
  • Golf in the Bernese Oberland Located at 1,400m and surrounded by nature reserve, the Golf Club Gstaad, is just a moment’s drive from the Palace. Here, with the magical mountain landscape as your backdrop, is where golf is meant to be played. More information here.

Fun for the Whole Family

Family owned and operated since its founding in 1913, Gstaad Palace is rooted in family tradition and is the perfect place for families looking to explore “the land of milk and honey.” Parents can enjoy leisurely bike rides, and afternoons at the Spa or poolside while their children join Sammy’s Club where they will ride ponies on sloping mountain trails, walk the Palace St. Bernard dogs through the blooming gardens, and play with the sheep, chickens, goats, and other farm animals. On August 8th, kids can celebrate the 6th  Mini-Grand Prix with kettcars, bouncy castles, and more carnival favorites. More information here.

Relax and Unwind at the Palace Spa

The Palace Spa is a wellness oasis in a majestic Alpine setting and was designed to reflect the location, spectacular mountain views, and instantaneously induce a sense of calm in all those who enter. The massive facilities span more than 1,800 square meters and include nine treatment rooms, a Private Spa Suite, saunas and steam baths, an indoor and outdoor pool, a gym, and a Pilates studio. After the stress of this past year, Gstaad Palace invites guests to relax and enjoy one of the many new and rejuvenating treatments at the Spa:

  • CBD Oil Body scrub with ID Botanicals – Gstaad Palace Spa now offers premium skincare from Swiss brand ID Botanicals which uses high-tech CBD to nurture skin gently and naturally. The ID Botanicals body scrub exfoliates and reinvigorates skin with rose petals, lavender, and dry hemp leaves followed by a restorative 50-minute massage. $420 per person.
  • Intimate Private Spa Suite – For the couple seeking their own private spa treatment, enjoy the Palace’s Private Spa Suite for an exclusive and romantic spa experience complete with sauna access, steam bath, and relaxation lounge. Starting from $320.
  • Jardin du Monts Signature Treatment – Immerse yourself in mountain wellness with a body scrub ritual at an altitude of 1,350 meters. Designed to remove dead skin cells and regenerate, this body scrub treatment uses local mountain herbs and traditional herbalism practices. $240 per person.
  • Master Kambly Ritual – This two-hour treatment uses ancient medicinal practices to heal dead tissues, restore organ functions, as well as working at a deep level of the brain, the vertebras, and nerves while balancing the spinal cord. $700 per person.
  • Two-Hour Hammam Experience - Guests can also pay a visit to the hammam, a unique, two-hour experience beginning with a soothing footbath and ending with a hydrating oil massage and time in the private relaxation room. $350 per person.

Health, Safety & Flexible Cancellation

The Gstaad Palace family cannot wait to welcome guests back to the Saanenland for the summer season and has worked tirelessly throughout the past year to ensure the health and safety of all guests. Gstaad Palace follows the guidelines outlined by the Swiss Office of Public Health and also offers guests a flexible booking and cancellation policy. Guests of Gstaad Palace can feel confident they will be well looked after during their entire stay and able to enjoy the Swiss Alps worry free.

For further details and the Gstaad Palace Summer Highlights Brochure visit here.