Review - Gstaad Palace
The Gstaad Palace has that rare quality you can’t “design” into a hotel: legend. It’s the kind of place that feels right in every season—summer garden glamour, winter fireside theatre—and it carries itself with total ease. The mood is classic Swiss palace hotel, but never stiff. Warm, lived-in, confident.
Last summer I stayed for two nights to give you a full review of this Alpine gem.
One line that kept looping in my head: be it winter or summer, rain or snow - Paris - I mean: the Gstaad Palace - is always a good idea.
Table of Contents
Ambiance
What makes the Palace feel different from many ultra-luxury hotels is that it doesn’t come across as a brand concept. It feels like a family institution. The Palace has been family-owned for three generations by the Scherz family, and you sense that heritage is actively stewarded, not merely displayed. On my winter site tour, we even met a granddaughter doing finishing touches—heritage in motion, not a museum piece.
And yes, the pop-culture glamour is real. Sitting by the grand fireplace in the salon, it’s easy to imagine the Jet Set era continuing in the next room. A black-and-white photo in the lobby made me smile: The Return of the Pink Panther was filmed here in the 1970s—suddenly my childhood movie memories had a real-world address.
Location
The Palace sits above the village with that “commanding” position you want in Gstaad: close enough to dip into town effortlessly, high enough to feel removed from it. The payoff is visual—mountain views and a sense of space that you don’t get down on the main stretch.
In summer, the garden becomes part of your daily rhythm. It’s not just decorative; it’s a real experience—views, light, and that elegant “time slows down here” energy. In winter, the location supports the Palace’s identity as a self-contained world: you can leave, but you don’t need to.
Room
Rooms at the Palace feel properly spacious and genuinely cosy—warm colours, natural materials, alpine chic done with restraint. Even though the hotel is large by Gstaad standards (around 90 rooms and suites), it doesn’t translate into “big hotel vibes” once you’re in your room.
My strongest room takeaways:
The bed is outstanding—the kind you remember.
Bathrooms are luxurious and generous, and they match the hotel’s positioning without feeling flashy.
The atmosphere is quietly elevated: you get comfort and occasion.
The complimentary slippers are the most luxurious I have ever had at any hotel - wow
Booking strategy:
In Gstaad, you’re not buying “a room,” you’re buying the feeling. Prioritise:
A category that gives you the right space and view logic
A room that fits your trip type: romantic two nights vs a longer “Palace as base” week
If budget is a factor, decide early whether you want to “go all-in” on the room or treat the room as your comfortable anchor while you spend on dining/spa experiences.
Service
This is where the Palace separates itself.
The service level is astonishingly good—not in an over-scripted way, but in a “we have done this forever” way. I felt looked after like royalty even though I arrived in a small car—while Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, G-Wagons and Range Rovers rolled in with steady rhythm. There’s no hierarchy in the way you’re treated. The Palace makes you feel like you belong.
A small cultural detail that’s very “Palace”: staff often default to French as the elegant language of the house, which subtly reinforces the old-world tone.
This is the kind of hotel where service isn’t a department. It’s the identity.
Dining
Food at the Palace is strong and enjoyable—and it comes with those delightful “only here” touches that make luxury feel specific rather than generic.
What stayed with me:
The Crepe Suzette including live show at the table with a burning flame fueled by Grand Marnier
That plus the dress code combined with the classical and charming service made the dinner one to remember
Free-flow Champagne at breakfast as the default, not the exception
Jamaica Blue Mountain espresso available for espresso or as ingredient of Espresso Martini (at an exorbitant price of course)
A mango so sweet it tasted like it had just come straight from the tree in Taiwan
A homemade lemon cake moment that felt charmingly personal
Dining-wise, the Palace gives you range: from rotisserie and Swiss chalet-style comfort to Italian, the terrace, and the lobby bar that functions as the hotel’s living room. You can keep it classic or make it a full gastronomic itinerary.
The one reality check: pricing is extreme—especially F&B. In fairness, the Palace has a smart system: most guests receive a daily resort credit intended for food and drink (independent of hotel credit). In practice, the pricing is calibrated so that credit disappears quickly. You should plan with eyes open: you’re not coming here to “save money,” you’re coming here to play the Palace game properly.
Breakfast was lovely all around: high quality fresh items, Champagne on standby, setting on the porch with beautiful views.
Spa & Wellness
The spa is wonderful—beautifully done, spacious, and genuinely relaxing. My massage was excellent, and the whole wellness area has the right atmosphere: calm, polished, restorative.
The Palace also has a charming local detail: a separate outdoor pool in summer that’s open to Gstaad citizens for a small fee. It adds to the sense that the Palace isn’t just a hotel—it’s part of the town’s social ecosystem.
There is also a sizeable tennis court and a large meadow with mountain views for relaxing on the grounds of the Palace.
The only comparison worth mentioning: if you’ve experienced The Alpina Gstaad, the Palace pools feel less “statement.” The Alpina wins on pool impressiveness. The Palace wins on classic elegance and overall soul.
And then there’s GreenGo - a different kind of wellness: a nightclub with genuine history (Liz Taylor and Richard Burton energy), and a wonderfully playful gimmick—a door that opens into the indoor pool area so the party can become a pool party. It’s exactly the kind of “only at the Palace” detail that keeps the legend alive.
What to do in summer from the Palace
Long, lazy garden afternoons with mountain views
Village strolls, shopping, and people-watching with the Palace as your elegant “home base”
A proper spa day plus a massage reset
Tennis and golf, or hiking in the beautiful mountains and around lakes like the Arnensee.
A “choose-your-own evening” rotation: terrace aperitif, lobby bar, then one of the restaurants depending on mood
One late night at GreenGo if you want to touch the hotel’s Jet Set mythology
Gstaad has many events running all through summer, like their own Polo tournament (including a team from the Palace competing), the Gstaad Palace Challenge (an old timer rally started by the hotel’s owner himself), the Menuhin classical music festival, beach volleyball and many more.
Who it’s for / who should skip
Perfect for:
Travelers who love classic grand hotels with real heritage
Anyone who wants service that feels effortless, warm, and truly top-tier
Couples and families who want the safest possible “this will be excellent” luxury stay in Gstaad
Guests who appreciate the subtle details: language, rituals, history, and a hotel that feels like a living institution
Skip (or choose differently) if:
You want the most “modern design statement” luxury in Gstaad (The Alpina often scratches that itch better)
You’re price-sensitive on food and drink and don’t enjoy the resort-credit dynamic
You prefer a smaller, ultra-intimate boutique environment over a legendary grande dame
Book with me to get perks
If you’re considering the Gstaad Palace, tell me your dates, who you’re travelling with, and what you want this stay to feel like—classic romance, family summer, wellness reset, or full Jet Set weekend.
I’ll place you in the right room category, advise on the smartest way to use the daily resort credit, and map your dining and spa strategy so the Palace experience lands exactly the way it should.
Plus: You’ll get extra Virtuoso perks like possible upgrades and additional hotel credit through me as usual!
