The Alpina Gstaad: Alpine Charm with a Shot of Luxury

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Madonna stayed here. Those were the only words my husband needed to hear to spend a few nights at The Alpina Gstaad. While I’ve always appreciated Madonna’s talents, this charming hotel won my heart for more grown-up reasons.

Located in the heart of Switzerland’s Saanenland region where the sound of clanging cowbells is never far away, The Alpina Gstaad effortlessly blends Swiss traditions with discerning architectural details. Moving beyond the celebrity haunt status, let’s explore what makes the property so special.

Comfortable Luxury

Accommodations include deluxe rooms, junior suites, deluxe suites, grand luxe suites, a chalet suite and the top-of-the-line Panorama Suite.  A big plus are the balconies, standard for all, boasting unsurpassed views of the Alps and the surrounding village. In the interiors carved ceilings, timber-clad walls, leather headboards and Swiss farmhouse-style chests and armoires evoke a feeling of comfortable luxury. Decorative accents take on a whimsical approach. For example, as a nod to the Saanenland region, clever bedside hanging light fixtures are crafted from traditional leather straps used to hold cowbells. It seems that nothing is typical in the property’s 56 rooms and suites.

The whopping 4,300 square foot, three-bedroom duplex Panorama Suite provides the ultimate retreat, a top floor where a private Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, massage area and fitness equipment beckon. It afforded Madonna the privacy and amenities she required while staying there.

Gastronomic Pursuits

With three restaurants from which to choose, each with authentic cuisine, you’re certain to find something to suit your taste. The Swiss Stübli serves Swiss comfort foods including raclette and fondue in a setting embodying the Alpine spirit.

Awarded a single Michelin star, MEGU offers a wide variety of freshly prepared sushi and sashimi. An extensive sake selection, including some exclusively imported for the hotel, provides an ideal accompaniment to the superb dishes.

Sommet, the Alpina’s crown jewel, has also earned a Michelin star for its exceptional cuisine. Go ahead and splurge by ordering the inventive tasting menu. When I visited, a starter of Langoustine Carpaccio with an elderberry marinade and Imperial Caviar was followed by Veal Cutlets coated in a kanzuri crust and served with roasted potatoes. Heaven for wine lovers, Sommet’s selection includes over 400 rare vintage bottles hand-picked by the head sommelier.

Wine, Spirits & Cigars

The Alpina Lounge & Bar delivers a more casual menu with an eclectic collection of international spirits and the Wine Cellar welcomes oenophiles with over 1,700 vintage wines including some of Swiss origin. Private wine tastings can be arranged for up to eight people.

Drawing on inspiration from Havana, the classy Cigar Lounge evokes a glamorous 1930s atmosphere. Cigar connoisseurs are spoiled for choice with over 50 different types of cigars on hand in the walk-in humidor. Sink into the classic, leather armchairs and take in the spectacular views of the Alps.

Private Art Collection

Installed on the grounds and in the public spaces is an extensive art collection with works by leading artists of the twenty-first century. Sommet’s dining room walls are hung with sculptures by Ann Carrington crafted from recycled cutlery and sporting cow and mountain goat horns mounted like trophies from a hunt. Also spotted in the hotel are works by Anne Rosat who focuses on the traditional art of decoupage. Her detailed filigreed pieces remain a long-standing tradition of the Gstaad-Saanen region. Mixed media works by Matthew Lew include influences from every corner of the globe. Lastly, and perhaps most intriguing, are works by Roy Nachum who sculpts Braille poetry onto canvases creating art that can even be appreciated by the blind.

The Spa

If stormy weather interrupts your plans to hike the nearby Glacier 3000, consider indulging in a massage at Six Senses Spa where the treatment menu presents a layered approach and is anything but ordinary.  Combining Asian wellness traditions with traditional Swiss Alpine therapies, technicians craft the spa experience to an individual’s needs and wishes.

Twelve treatment rooms include a hammam, a Color Therapy Room, a Salt Room and a Cave Room for couples’ treatments. Other facilities include both indoor and outdoor pools, two Jacuzzis, a yoga studio and a fitness center.  A salt beach in the Salt Room and a separate pool with a mini slide keep the children entertained.

Family-friendly Activities

The Tree House Club, a fully supervised children’s club, welcomes kids three and up with a varied program of outdoor activities, games and a multimedia corner. Nearby, an indoor cinema provides more in-house entertainment—with popcorn, of course.

Even pets feel welcomed at Alpine Gstaad with in-room amenities and walking service. Dogs are also permitted in the Alpina Lounge & Bar and on the terrace.

Something for Everyone

The Alpina Gstaad offers a uniquely Alpine luxury experience for everyone in the family. It even provided my husband with a moment of connection to the object of his teenage affection. How many hotels can boast about something like that?