IDENTITY CARD
Best season January-March and June-September are the best times to enjoy the snow and the atmosphere of the mountain pastures.
Group size The many hotels in the region - no fewer than five 5-star and ten 4-star - are fully equipped to cater for groups of up to 80 people.
GETTING THERE
The train is still the most practical way of getting to Gstaad from Paris. Admittedly, there are two changes to make, but these are quicker and less inconvenient than the plane and the inevitable airport-station transfer in Switzerland.
The best journey time is achieved by taking the TGV Lyria from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Geneva (2h58), then changing trains again at Montreux. Total journey time: 5 hours 58 minutes. Between Montreux and Gstaad, the journey in panoramic carriages takes you through magnificent scenery, first skirting Lake Geneva before heading deep into the mountains.
www.tgv-lyria.com - www.cff.ch
TO FIND OUT MORE
Gstaad Tourism Visitor Centre. Promenade 41. Gstaad - Phone : +41 33 748 81 81- Email : info@gstaad.ch - Internet : www.gstaad.ch
NOT TO BE MISSED
A visit to Glacier 3000 and the Peak Walk, a cross-country ski tour, a toboggan run, a test ride on a snow bike and a break in one of the mountain restaurants, a stroll around Lake Lauenen in the heart of a nature reserve and a stroll through the streets of Saanen.
HOTELS
Ermitage Wellness & Spa
The very comfortable Ermitage, the only five-star hotel in the region open all year round, is perfectly situated, as you can see from the lobby, which opens onto a vast lounge offering panoramic views over the valley. Inaugurated in 1955, and refurbished and modernised several times since, the hotel nevertheless has the charm of an old establishment run by attentive staff. It also knows how to remain delightfully cosy, even when its "One Million Stars" bar is busy. There is no large dining room, but nine private areas, each with a different atmosphere, ranging from contemporary to rustic, and each with around fifteen tables. One of them is specially dedicated to fondues. The 96 rooms and suites have a chic chalet feel, with wood panelling, rough wooden furniture and portraits of cows inspired by Andy Warhol. In addition to two lounges (20 m2 and 180 m2), there is a library, a wine library and a cinema suitable for groups. Spa; two swimming pools, indoor and outdoor.
Dorfstrasse 46. Gstaad-Schönried - Phone : +41 33 748 04 30 - Email : welcome@ermitage.ch - Internet : www.ermitage.ch
Gstaad Palace
For some, it is the most beautiful palace in Switzerland, which is not exactly stingy when it comes to prestigious hotels. It is also one of the country's last great family hotels, where the Scherz family has been welcoming wealthy guests for generations. 100 naturally elegant rooms and suites with views of the Alps. Four restaurants, including La Fromagerie, serving Swiss specialities in a rustic setting. Five rooms for meetings and events.
Palacestrasse 28. Gstaad - Phone : +41 33 748 50 00 - Email : info@palace.ch - Internet : www.palace.ch
RESTAURANTS
Posthotel Rössli
Regulars and tourists mingle in the warm atmosphere of this restaurant in Gstaad's oldest hotel, a former coaching inn that became an inn in 1845. The hunting trophies hanging in the woodwork seem to have been there forever, and it's great to enjoy the "skier's plate" - rösti, fried egg, ham and melted alpine cheese - before succumbing to the house iced coffee garnished with physalis, a pleasantly tart berry.
Promenade 10, Gstaad. - Tel : +41 33 748 42 42 - Email : info@posthotelroessli.ch - Internet : www.posthotelroessli.ch
Michel's Stallbeizli
Situated at the foot of the ski school, this small family restaurant on a farm has the unique feature of being entirely glazed over. Here you can enjoy delicious raclettes and fondues prepared with home-made cheese in the company of the owners' cows and goats. The space, furnished with sturdy wooden tables, can be reserved for 20 guests. Entertainment in the stable or outdoors depending on the season.
Gsteigstrasse 41. Gstaad - Phone : +41 33 744 16 83 - Email : michel.gstaad@bluewin.ch - Internet : www.stallbeizli.ch
Sonnenhof
Set high above Saanen in a large, beautiful chalet with a rustic chic decor and terrace overlooking the valley, the Sonnenhof offers an exceptional view of the snow-covered peaks. This gourmet restaurant offers a blend of Swiss, French and Italian cuisine, with an emphasis on regional produce. The Simmental beef with spicy Strogonoff sauce or the courgette ravioli with olives, tomatoes and parmesan are simply delicious. Attentive and charming staff. Capacity: 80 covers.
Sonnenhofweg 33. Saanen - Phone : +41 33 744 10 23 - Email : restaurant.sonnenhof@bluewin.ch - Internet : www.restaurantsonnenhof.ch
SERVICE SUPPLIER
Swiss Helicopter The company operates discovery flights, VIP transport and taxi flights. Its fleet of 35 helicopters is suited to groups for excursions and events on request for up to 200 participants.
Tel : + 41 33 828 90 00 - Email : mail@swisshelicopter.ch - Internet : www.swisshelicopter.ch
PRACTICAL GUIDES
Michelin Green Guide, Le Routard, Petit Futé, Lonely Planet.
