Portrait
Gstaad: "Last paradise in a crazy world"
The Destination Gstaad enjoys a high level of prestige and international renown. In spite of this, it has remained truly Alpine, with its chic charm, British understatement and authentic traditions. Or as acting legend Julie Andrews once said: "Gstaad is the last paradise in a crazy world".
The region has a further 9 chalet villages alongside Gstaad, located at an altitude of between 1,000 and 1,400 metres. According to legend, God wanted to take a short rest whilst creating the world. The imprint of his hand thus shaped the Saanenland region. His five fingers formed the valleys, with Gstaad nestling in their midst. It is hard not to believe that supernatural forces are at work when you let your eyes wander over the beauty of Nature. And nestling amidst the lakes and mountains lie the homely, Alpine villages with their characteristic chalets.
The Gstaad brand today is synonymous with stylish charm and discreet understated luxury, which Gstaad's famous royal guests and visitors from the worlds of film, art, sport and science have come to appreciate. Yet despite its style and class, Gstaad has remained genuinely Alpine and down-to-earth. It is proud of its tradition and lives and breathes it every day. Gstaad has 350 farms, 80 of which still use Alpine pastures and around 8000 cows in the region. At the same time, a range of diverse leisure amenities deliver first-class leisure and recreation in summer and in winter. Over a thousand cultural and sporting events are available to visitors every year, including top events with an international reputation. In addition, visitors will find first-class hotels, outstanding shopping facilities along the traffic-free promenade and an airport in Saanen.
The international schools in the region laid the cornerstone for the tradition of Gstaad becoming a holiday destination of world class renown: "L’Institut le Rosey", which has relocated its campus to Gstaad for ten weeks every winter since 1917 and the "John F. Kennedy International School" in Saanen. Their students, parents, teachers, relatives and friends have become Gstaad's ambassadors and carry the Gstaad lifestyle out into the wide world.
Families make up 30 percent of visitors to the Destination Gstaad, many of whom have been coming for generations. It therefore goes without saying that there is also a great range of fun activities for our younger guests as well. From playgrounds to petting zoos and river rafting in the summer to fun parks in the winter: there is just so much for kids to do in and around Gstaad.
Alpine Wellness Centre
Seven specialist spa & wellness hotels together with Gstaad Sports Centre are the flagships of the wellness destination. Ten other places also have spa and wellness facilities and offer relevant services. Ultimately visitors to meetings, incentives events and conferences can also take advantage of these health and wellness facilities.
