The Gstaad Palace swimming pool, Piscine, is my favorite place to spend the day in Gstaad. Nestled right behind the tennis courts, Piscine is an oasis in the summer months with an Olympic sized swimming pool, diving boards, a children's pool with slide, and a bar with striped umbrellas, reminiscent of the Côte d’Azur. The pool has panoramic views of the Wildhorn, Oldenhorn, and Wispile. Non-hotel guests can access the pool for a small fee making the pool a favorite amongst locals too.

The Horneggli Panorama Trail, one of the most breathtaking hikes in the region, offers unparalleled aerial views of the entire valley. Begin your journey with a train ride to Zweisimmen, followed by a gondola ride to the summit of the Rinderberg. A short walk leads to an overlook, where stunning mountain vistas set the tone for your hike. Following the ridge, the trail reveals panoramic views of the skiable peaks from Saanenmoser and St. Stephan.

Le Grand Spa is a haven of alpine tranquility, spanning 3,000 square meters of pure indulgence. With 17 distinct wellness zones, the spa has everything from herbal and Finnish saunas to a salt inhalation grotto and an invigorating ice fountain. Treatments are rooted in the Swiss landscape—think Alpine Salt Scrubs and Goat’s Milk & Honey Baths. The spa also offers yoga and pilates classes if you are looking for meditation or a deep stretch.

The Arnensee, just 20 minutes from Gstaad, and only a few minutes from our new property, Le Chalet Glacier - Opening July 1, lies at the foot of the Wildhorn Massif in the heart of the Saanenland Nature Park. Framed by thick forests and sweeping mountain vistas, the lake offers a serene natural setting. It's clear, still waters are ideal for a peaceful day of fishing, hiking, or renting a rowboat. Overlooking the lake is Huus am Arnensee, a traditional Swiss restaurant where you can enjoy lunch.

Each July, the Swiss Open Gstaad transforms the village into a vibrant hub, drawing anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 tennis fans. The tournament is held at the Roy Emerson Arena, an open-air arena in the heart of Gstaad, with alpine views as a backdrop to the matches. Opening day is marked by an airshow from the Swiss Air Force, with jets weaving dramatically over the Alps.

Charly’s Gstaad, established in 1912, is a cozy café nestled in the heart of Gstaad. Adorned with alpine wood interiors and strap floors, it offers a warm ambiance that invites both locals and visitors to relax. Renowned for its house-made pastries, chocolates, and rich Illy coffee. Make this your stop for breakfast before heading over to the Roy Emerson Arena for the Swiss Open Gstaad.

There are two ways to reach Seebergsee. You can spend the morning hiking up from Zweisimmen—a rewarding climb with expansive views—or, for a gentler approach, take the winding mountain road to Meienberg, where well-marked trails lead you up through wildflower-dotted pastures. At the small parking area, you’ll find an honesty fridge stocked with local cheese and chilled drinks—simple, perfect provisions for the trail, with a tin for cash payment.

Continue along the lakeside trail of the Seebergsee, and, just beyond the ridge on the far side, you'll find Berggasthaus Stierenberg, a rustic mountain inn known for its homemade fruit tarts and hearty lunches—a welcome reward for those who linger a little longer.

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, held each August at the Gstaad-Saanen airport, transforms the area into a pristine polo field for three days of thrilling matches between four elite teams. Begin the day by a short train ride from Gstaad to Saanen on the GoldenPass Belle Époque. The fields are a short walk from the Saanen train station. Then enjoy drinks in cosy tents while watching the action and partake in the halftime tradition of “divot stomping,” smoothing the field after the horses’ strides

The Lauenensee is a picturesque lake set in the Lauenen Valley, just beyond Gstaad. Surrounded by lush alpine meadows, dense forests, and the striking peaks of the nearby glacier, it offers a more remote and tranquil setting. In summer, cascading waterfalls from the melting glacier add to the natural beauty. A scenic 3.1 km loop trail circles the lake, making for an easy, leisurely hour-long walk. Along the way, you'll find picnic tables tucked into quiet corners.

A local bakery with multiple locations throughout the valley. Best known for their fresh bread (including sourdough), pastries, and coffee. The Saanen location is my favorite, occupying the corner of a charming building in the center of the village with outdoor bistro tables, this is ideal for a quiet morning treat. In the summer I order the plum tart while stone fruit is in season.

Beloved in both winter and summer. Hike up or take the gondola for lunch on the sunny terrace overlooking Gstaad. The Berghaus Wasserngrat is the sister restaurant to 16 in Saanen and one of our favourites on the mountain. What to order: sausage with rösti and for dessert the meringue with a rich Swiss double cream, an alpine classic.

Hüsy is an authentic Swiss restaurant, art gallery, and guesthouse run by chef and owner Hans-Jürgen and his wife, Marianne Glatz. The restaurant has a cosy first floor where lunch service is held and a more formal dining room with low wooden ceilings upstairs for dinner service. The gallery is filled with local art that celebrates the Simmental and Saanenland tradition of paper cuttings. My lunch order is the schnitzel, and for dinner, I never pass up the salad bar and the côte de boeuf.

During the summer months the old-chalet style restaurant set in the center of Saanen has an outdoor terrace that makes you feel as though you are dining in an intimate secret garden. Their impressive vegetable garden is across from the terrace and always worth taking a walk by, an example of how Swiss locals cultivate their own home gardens during the summer months and live sustainably with the seasons.

Has a rich history on Gstaad’s promenade. Hotel Olden, originally an inn from 1690, gained fame during the world wars as a cultural hub, with live music and yodeling by the Müllener family. In 1960, Fausto Donizetti and Hedi Müllener introduced "La Cave," adding a legendary fine dining experience to its charm that continues on today.

In the French-speaking part of the valley, which is home to our Le Chalet Lion Rouge, you’ll find my favourite restaurant: Le Cerf offers authentic dining, which some people say is the best fondue & raclette in the world (I concur!).

the best for timeless, intricately hand-embroidered linen dresses. They are known for their cashmere (crafted by the same makers as Loro Piana), a testament to their uncompromising quality. When summer arrives, I live in their airy, elegant linen dresses.

Hidden off the main street in Gstaad is a small chocolate shop that feels more like an Atelier than a shop, which is run by our friend, Jana. Impeccably made pralines, silky truffles, and chocolate bars infused with local Alpine herbs. Go for the dark chocolate hazelnut bark or the signature Gstaad milk truffles, or take home as a gift

Located in a chalet overlooking the picturesque Gstaad Valley, Atelier Steiner is a family-run wood workshop led by Kornelia and Hans-Ruedi Steiner. The Steiners specialize in creating bespoke, hand-carved Swiss chairs, wooden clocks, decorative boards, and other unique home décor items. As you arrive, you'll be warmly welcomed by the atelier's friendly guardian, a big Bernese Mountain Dog.