One of the first things people always tell you about Gstaad is that it’s twinned with Cannes, which gives you a sense of the glamour this ski resort embodies. As well as wonderful skiing and an exceptional array of hiking trails in the summer months, Gstaad offers the opportunity to shop in high-end boutiques (or celebrity spot). Gstaad is a relatively small resort, but if you’re looking for reasonably priced glamour you’ll still find several very nice options on our Guru’s list of the best places to stay in Gstaad.
Our Guru’s recommendations also include some real hum-dinger five-star resorts with all the bells and whistles. If your budget is a bit more modest don’t worry, you can still enjoy Gstaad’s great skiing and magnificent views and the chance to rub shoulders with the glitterati, by staying in very nearby Saanen.
If you’re heading to Gstaad then there are a few things it’s worth budgeting for. First, take the cable car up to the top of Les Diablerets glacier - which is quite reasonable - and dine at the top, which is a bit less so. It’s also worth going to a classical music concert if you can. This small resort is famous for its love of classical music and there are three world-class music festivals held here each year.
It’s also worth visiting the Gstaad Palace. Even if you can’t afford to say here, this hundred-year-old hotel looks like a magical castle in a snowglobe, sitting, as it does, above the beautiful village of Gstaad. It seems like everyone who’s anyone has stayed here and the bar is just beautiful, with incredible views. This is where Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald once performed. Have a Scherz-cocktail, named after the owner, or party all night like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the nightclub.
When it comes to the skiing there’s a good network of blues and reds running between postcard-perfect villages and their lifts. There are also plenty of places to stop and eat along the way. It’s not all glitz and glamour, there are lots of great family hotels and some excellent affordable alpine restaurants.
Just don't forget to plan well ahead if you want to book a room in one of the best places to stay in Gstaad during the busy Christmas, New Year and half-term periods. Alternatively come in low season, when the pistes will be way quieter!