Hotel Snapshot
Checking into Le Grand Bellevue is a bit like stepping into Alice’s Wonderland—if everyone was incredibly chic and had grown up skiing. Guests are greeted on arrival with tiny cups of decadent hot chocolate and swiftly welcomed to sink into one of the sprawling tweed sofas for check-in. The room key is a weighty pineapple artifact. In the lobby, a roaring fire and oversized backgammon boards beckon, while enormous lampshades make you feel almost Liliputian. A pommel horse sits further afield in the lounge. A tweed life-sized camel welcomes you to the hotel’s restaurant and bar called LEONARD’S, named after the owner’s grandfather. In the hidden speakeasy club, bouquet, couches are clad in paisley carpets—all the better for dancing on. Located just off Gstaad’s famed Promenade, Le Grand Bellevue's iconic butter yellow facade is a beacon among the snow.
Design & Character
Both eccentric and classic, the playful maximalist interiors play with traditional fabrics and silhouettes that become more interesting the longer you look. While the Venetian pineapple lamps and sky blue walls feel more Palm Beach than overtly alpine, the whole ambiance just works. I didn’t know what to expect from Gstaad, as it was my first time and I was a tad trepidatious as I’d heard of the town’s celeb-studded reputation. Despite all of this, the hotel doesn’t take itself too seriously. This comes from the top, as Koetser welcomed us to the hotel in a royal blue sweater that read “ENJOY TODAY!” in all caps. On our tour, he said that the hotel isn’t for everyone, but after just an hour in its midst, I knew immediately it was for me.
Davia, Daniel’s wife, is an interior designer and together the couple crafted the hotel to be an eclectic reflection of their tastes, no detail missed. Highlights include a 12-foot continuous Chesterfield sofa and fresh cut flowers that are renewed three times a week.
The Rooms
We stayed in one of the iconic Tower Suites, an airy and bright room which faces off to the Royal Yacht Club and the charming Promenade, with views of the train and the tower of the Gstaad Palace in the distance. Our spacious bathroom was complete with a soaking tub and sumptuous lotions and divine-smelling soaps from beloved British brand, Bamford.
Food & Drink
LEONARD’S is an elegant fine dining restaurant with ice glass chandeliers and modern art packing a playful punch against the rose-colored walls. Next door, the bar is a vibey destination for the who’s who of Gstaad.
The Le Petit Chalet—an 18-cover log cabin with gingham-checked benches and a pitched ceiling lined with vintage cowbells—is a short walk away. The restaurant specializes in fondue (both cheese and chocolate). For a midday lunch or takeaway, the on-site sushi bar next to the spa is a must-visit. In the basement, the speakeasy bar and cigar lounge turns into a buzzy nightclub with carpet-covered sofas meant to be danced on.
Amenities
As Daniel said, “I’m the only one who can say no.” And I don’t think he says no often. The team at Le Grand Bellevue really made it feel like any desire was possible, whether it was skiing with a four-time Olympian (check!) or learning how to yodel in the mountainside (also check!)
Spa & Wellness Scoop
The spa is a sprawling 3,000 square meter destination that boasts 17 different wellness zones, complete with thermal baths, saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, and a fully-equipped gym with personal trainers and classes.
A highlight for me was the innovative treatments that the spa has pioneered, like a caviar facial. I went for the Swiss chocolate cacao ritual, which was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Scrubbed down with coffee and cacao, I then soaked in a cacao-infused bath, covered myself in a Swiss chocolate mixture and then hammamed, which left my skin unbelievably smooth and smelling like a chocolate shop (in the best way).
For skiing and hiking, you’re surrounded by several mountain resorts. To get fitted, you can head to the ski shop in the basement of Le Grand Bellevue in your slippers to grab your ski rentals without having to leave the building—lush!
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Shopping on the Promenade cannot be beat—I particularly loved The Flower Shop, a pop-up shop with an exceptional curation of independent clothing and homeware brands from around the world. For art, check out the exhibitions at Tarmak22, a modern art gallery in Gstaad’s private jet airport opened by creative director Antonia Crespi, and the Gagosian. I, of course, had to peek into the Ralph Lauren, Prada, and Chanel boutiques in the name of journalistic research.
Fast Facts
Location: Gstaad, Switzerland
Vibe: Unpretentious yet glamorous, both quirky and classic
Rating: 5-star
Room Count: 57 rooms across the hotel, chalets, and yacht club
Pricing: Rooms from $800. Re-opens for summer June 21st through September 27th.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The cheerful and friendly energy that comes through in every interaction with the wonderfully warm-hearted staff to the joyful color palette employed throughout the shared spaces of the hotel. This is not a stiff, stuffy hotel. This is a place to be enjoyed.
Dining: LEONARD’S The Sushi Bar, Le Petit Chalet.
Amenities: Robust spa, cigar lounge, private cinema, and the Gstaad Yacht Club.
Nearby Attractions: Skiing at Eggi, shopping on the Promenade, visiting the many art galleries.
Airport: Geneva or Zurich (and then a train from either to Gstaad). The hotel is happy to pick you up from the train station and transfer you in a charming green Le Grand Bellevue-branded vehicle.
Gastaad, Switzerland
