News

Gstaad Palace, Switzerland

Last updated 3rd January 2017

What’s new? Gstaad Palace will re-open on 18 December for its 100th winter season and to celebrate it’s put together packages to showcase the best of Gstaad. The area is well-equipped for kids of all ages and those under nine get free ski passes. Asides from skiing, there’s ice-skating, sledging, mountain railways and ski schools in the Swiss village.

There’s no room for down time when your staying at Gstaad Palace with igloo building, tobogganing trails, curling, air boarding, paragliding and winter hiking trails all on offer. Of course there is also skiing and snowboarding. If guests want more of a challenge they can go snowshoeing or ice climbing on the challenging white slopes.

After a long day on the snow, why not relax at the Palace spa to escape the cold weather, the kids will be well looked after by the hotel babysitter, and there is an indoor and outdoor playroom.

Accommodation in the five-star hotel varies from the charming Classic Rooms, decked out with typical alpine style, to the more modern Superior Rooms, and there are larger suites too. Our favourite option though has to be the Walig Hut. Straight out of a fairytale, the little house, seperate from the hotel, sleeps a family of four in seriously cosy surroundings. There’s a log fire, hearts carved into the beds and storm lanterns hanging from the rustic walls. Spending a night there would be the ultimate sleep over and costs 1,600 CHF for four people including a three-course dinner.

Back in the main hotel choose from two restaurants. There’s La Fromagerie, a cosy restaurant with typical Swiss specialities including cheese fondue with champagne and truffles, or Le Grill where guests can watch the chef prepare the dishes on an open fire grill.

 

THE LOWDOWN:

Travel time: The nearest airport is Basel, which is an hour and a half from Gstaad.

Getting there: easyjet flies to Basel from London Gatwick from £55.98 return. British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Basel from £124 return. The flight is 1 hour and 30 minutes from London to Basel.

Price: The Winter Wonderland package includes two nights at Gstaad Palace with a complimentary room upgrade. It also includes a 25-minute husky sledge tour or a one-hour horse carriage tour, a great way to entertain the kids. The package per person per night includes half board and use of the Palace Spa and starts at £221 (CHF 320). The package is available from 18 to 21 December and from 5 January to 9 March 2014.

Iglu Experience includes, two nights at the Gstaad Palace with a complimentary room upgrade, one mid-week night at the Iglu Village, one return cable car ticket to the Iglu Village. The price per person per night is £234 (CHF 338), including half board and use of the spa. This package is available from 5 January-9 March 2014 subject to availability.

Special offer: The hotel is also taking part in a special discount that means if you’re travelling with grandparents they only pay 50% of the room rate.