THE APPROACH to The Alpina Gstaad is through an pitch-dark underground tunnel which leads onto a carriage driveway. It feels like I am in a scene cut from a James Bond movie set with the line-up of shiny supercars spread across the hotel’s carriage driveway.
While The Alpina Gstaad’s façade looks modest with its dark wooden cladding extracted from local barns, it’s as if I’ve been dropped right into a magical city once I enter its subterranean reception.
The Alpina Gstaad Exterior
The imperial glass staircase leads up into The Alpina Gstaad Lounge and Bar, with a soaring baroque ceiling, dating back to the 17th century. This reflects The Alpina Gstaad’s interior as a fusion of contemporary and rustic, accompanied with huge wooden beams and roaring alpine fireplaces.
This property was recently selected by Art Magazine as one of the most prestigious hotels in the world for its display of priceless pieces spread across the resort, which are rotated monthly from the private art collection of the chairman, Nachson Mimran.
The Alpina Gstaad Exterior Pool
Set in five acres of grounds within the Bernese Oberland in the hilltop area of Gstaad, the hotel comprises 56 balconied rooms and suites, many opening out onto views of the sparkling snow-dusted Swiss Alps. Amenities at The Alpina Gstaad include an impressive 14-seat private cinema, a wine-tasting room, sizeable indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and the first alpine Six Senses Spa.
This subterranean space offers an exquisite oasis of recuperation away from the intensity of the local ski runs, with its fully equipped gym, juice bar and healing grotto offering a ‘digital detox’.
Megu Alpina Gstaad
The Alpina Gstaad is home to one of the most exclusive suites in Switzerland – the two-story Panorama Suite which sleeps six – and has a chef on call 24-hours, its own a private spa room, sauna, gym and outdoor jacuzzi. And of course staggering views from its expansive balcony.
The Alpina Gstaad Grand Luxe Suite
There’s a choice of exquisite dining experiences on offer here. Megu, the renowned Japanese restaurant and Michelin starred Sommet, with its lavish menu drawing inspiration from Executive Chef Martin Göschel’s travels through Europe, South-East Asia and South America.
We get stuck into the six-course tasting menu, while the showman Italian sommelier, Andrea Ferrari, pairs each course with an over-generous selection of the finest wines. The next day we dine alfresco under an outdoor heater at The Alpina Gstaad’s informal Lounge and Bar.
Covering up with a snug cashmere blanket, we relish the selection offered on the casual menu, packed with snacks and bistro classics, ranging from hearty club sandwiches to sizable steaks, each arriving with generous portions of yummy sides.
Six Senses Spa Gstaad
The Alpina Gstaad has recently been awarded for its sustainability programs including its ‘zero waste pizza’ campaign. For every pizza ordered, The Alpina Gstaad pledges to donate CHF 200 to Smiling Gecko, an organization supporting children living in Cambodian slums.
Other initiatives include partnering with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific certification group for tourism, and membership of the NOW Force for Good Alliance, the first global hospitality community focused on sustainable travel.
The Alpina Gstaad Lobby
In the winter, Gstaad becomes a snow-filled playground with its 220km of skiing slopes, while in the springtime the snow melts away leaving hundreds of hiking trails and cycling routes to explore.
The picturesque pedestrianised cobbled streets of this exclusive village, lined with luxury boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and supercar showrooms, still manages to pull in the global jet setters all year round. Just like The Alpina Gstaad.
by Ashleigh Jacobs
Rates at The Alpina Gstaad start from CHF 950 per night based on two sharing a Deluxe Room, inclusive of breakfast and use of spa / swimming facilities