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!

The best places to stay in Gstaad

For Alpine charm

• The Hotel Christiania is a charming 13 room ski lodge in the pedestrianised part of Gstaad with traditional and cosily styled rooms and private terraces. They have large family suites and a small, friendly restaurant with special kid’s menus.
• The Hotel Olden offers luxurious comforts with traditional style. Think plenty of pine, open fireplaces and free-standing baths. There’s also an award-winning restaurant and you’re within very easy access of the slopes. A perfect indulgent getaway for two.
• The Alpenrose Hotel is full of alpine charm with twenty spacious rooms and suites. Plus you'll find lovely terraces and a hot tub and sauna for apres ski relaxation.
• Geniesserhotel Le Grand Chalet offers stunning views from its hilltop location in Gstaad. The simple rooms are decorated in a traditional Alpine style. Eating at the gourmet restaurant is a must and there's also a wellness area to unwind in after a long day skiing.

For luxury

• The Gstaad Palace is a magnificent hotel with a glamorous, celebrity reputation. There are 100 five star rooms right on the slopes with incredible views and every creature comfort, both modern and traditional.
• Le Grand Bellevue offers five stars worth of magnificence and opulence with fantastic mountain views. There are 57 luxurious rooms, plush decor, a revitalising spa, cinema and Michelin starred restaurant.
• The Alpina is another spectacular five star hotel right on the slopes with luxurious, alpine-style rooms and amazing views. They also have a cinema, a wonderful spa and choice of three restaurants.

For great value

• Landhaus is a charming alpine hotel in the resort of Saanen with cosy, pine panelling and 24 rooms, some with beautiful mountain views. There’s a ski school attached to the hotel so this is a great option for families. And for this region, it's superb value for money!

For access to the pistes

• Le Petit Relais is ideally located - you can ski to the door and it's steps away from a handful of lifts. Authentic chalet style on the outside, the interiors are more up to date with sleek modern bedrooms.
• Hamilton Lodge Zweisimmen is also right on the slopes. The feel here is very rustic chic, with plenty of wood panelling and fur throws. Don't miss the wood fired outdoor hot tub for easing weary limbs.
• The Hotel de Rougement is just minutes from the pistes and boasts smart interiors that blend original features with contemporary design. Plus there's a fabulous onsite spa and excellent restaurant.
• Hotel Kernen is a lovely ski-hotel in central Schoenried. Guestrooms have Alpine style wooden furniture and wooden beamed ceilings. It also boasts a great restaurant with regional produce and ski-to-door facilities.

For mountain chic

• Hotel des Alpes by Bruno Kernen is a seriously chic alpine property. Smart rooms are generously proportioned and feature parquet floors, black velvet headboards and uber modern bathrooms.
• Hotel Spitzhorn is a sleek modern chalet, in the picturesque mountains of Saanen. Think wooden interiors and rooms with private balconies overlooking the spectacular countryside.

For families

• Huus features chic designer accommodation, extensive spa treatments and many activities to keep the kids busy including hiking, biking, rafting and canyoning in the summer and of course skiing in the winter.
• The Grand Hotel Park is an elegant, 94 room property with wonderful views and traditional design. The reception areas offer Gstaad glamour and there’s a choice of dining options and activities on offer, including a kids club, playground and games room.

For an apartment or chalet

• If you're travelling with family or a group of friends it may be a better option to book a villa or apartment. For a wide range of properties for all tastes and budgets we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel information

• Fly to Geneva's Cointrin International Airport, just 2.5 hours from Gstaad. Or by train, Gstaad is on the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois) railway line which runs from Montreux to Zweisimmen.
• The ski season runs from mid December - April. For hiking plan your trip in the summer months between June - August.
• If you plan to hire a car, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Gstaad.
• Widen your search to include all our recommendations in Adelboden.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

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