Gstaad Palace

Gstaad Palace: a luxury hotel with over a century of history in the Swiss Alps

Gstaad Palace is a luxury hotel located in Gstaad, in the Saanenland region of Switzerland. Opened in 1913, it has welcomed guests from around the world for more than a century. The hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and has been owned by the Scherz family since 1947, now in its third generation.

Accommodation and services

The hotel offers rooms and suites with views of the Alpine landscape. Its dining options include international cuisine with a distinctive twist. The spa and sports facilities offer numerous options for relaxation and physical activity. The property also has event spaces and a dedicated children's programme, Palace Kids.

History and milestones

The history of Gstaad Palace is closely linked to the region's tourism development. In 1904, the railway reached Gstaad, which boosted tourism. In 1905, local teacher Robert Steffen identified the potential for a grand hotel and acquired the first plots of land. In 1911, the joint-stock company "Royal-Hôtel & Winter Palace Gstaad" was founded in Lausanne. Construction of the Palace Hotel began in 1912 with a budget of 2.5 million Swiss francs, under the direction of architects Adrien van Dorsser and Charles-François Bonjour. On 8 December 1913, it opened its doors with 250 beds in 165 rooms, of which 70 had private bathrooms, plus 20 shared bathrooms, central heating and its own telegraph operator.

In 1914, it was decided to expand the building and a ballroom (today's Salle Baccarat) was added, inaugurated in autumn 1916. During the First World War, rising coal prices and falling visitor numbers led to losses. In 1915, a tennis tournament was held that would become today's Swiss Open Gstaad. In 1918, Wilhelm Michel took over as director. In 1923, the annual accounts returned to profit. The 1920s were a golden era, with the hotel often fully booked at Christmas and New Year. In 1928, an outdoor pool (today's «PISCINE») and Gstaad's first golf course were built. The crisis of 1931/32 affected overnight stays, but in 1934/35 a sledging funicular opened on Wispile mountain. In 1936, after a devaluation of the Swiss franc, guests returned.

In 1938/39, Ernst and Silvia Scherz-Bezzola joined the management, and in 1939 director Wilhelm Michel retired. During the Second World War, overnight stays fell by half and Union Bank of Switzerland built a large strongroom beneath the Palace terrace, where documents and gold were moved; today that space houses La Fromagerie. After the war, the hotel recovered and in 1947 reached pre-war levels. That same year, the Scherz family acquired the Palace. In 1946, the central heating was renovated, switching from coal to oil, which halved costs. In 2001, Andrea Scherz, third generation, took over as director.

Location and accessibility

Gstaad Palace is located at Palacestrasse 28, CH-3780 Gstaad. It is about 2 to 2.5 hours by car from the international airports of Geneva and Zurich. The local Gstaad airport is 5 km from the hotel. It can also be reached by train from anywhere in Switzerland thanks to the dense rail network, and the hotel offers pick-up from Gstaad station. For those choosing private aviation, Fly7 can transfer guests to Gstaad airport.

Seasons and reservations

The website indicates the opening seasons: winter season from 15 December 2026 to 7 March 2027, and summer season from 20 June 2027 to 5 September 2027. Reservation and availability information is managed through the website.

Location and contact

Palacestrasse 28, CH-3780 Gstaad · Phone: +41 33 748 50 00