This tiny town, made popular by the infamous @thegstaadguy has a particular quality that is hard to explain until you have been there. It is not just beautiful - the Alps are full of beautiful - it is the combination of an unhurried village pace, genuinely world-class food, and a surrounding landscape of little towns that reveal itself the longer you stay. And it really is tiny, which adds to it's charm. Once you've been a few times you are on a first-name basis with almost all store owners and hotel staff. We've been going to Gstaad once to twice a year every year now for the last 7 years. In winter it is one of the most breathtaking places in Switzerland. In summer it is somehow even better.
This is everything we love, everything we repeat and everything worth knowing before you go.
Where To Stay
The Alpina
A contemporary, beautifully designed hotel with an exceptional Six Senses Spa, an outdoor heated pool, and a level of service that makes a family stay feel genuinely effortless rather than merely tolerated. Whilst you won't have a vast kids club here, the range of activities on offer are wonderful - from bee-keeping, to a private children's cinema. The aesthetic is modern alpine rather than traditional Swiss chalet, which makes it feel fresh in a place where everything else leans heavily into heritage. The only disappointing part of the Alpina is that it does not have one standout restaurant, which is rare of a hotel of it's stature (and Megu is particularly disappointing). But the dining options around Gstaad are so easily accessible given the small size of the town that restaurant quality within the hotel is not a deal-breaker. A personal favourite, where we recently held our parent company (@izaakazanei) pop-up.
The Mansard
A boutique hotel with 29 rooms, conveniently located on the main promenade. The Mansard has a warmth and character that larger properties rarely manage. The interiors are modern alpine with a well-regarded brasserie and the only rooftop bar in Gstaad. Rooms are well-appointed with private balconies and mountain views, and the scale of the property means service feels genuinely personal. A good option for families who want something smaller and more atmospheric, without sacrificing any of the quality you expect from Gstaad.
Le Grand Bellevue
One of Gstaad's original grand hotels, now beautifully modernised by its family owners without losing any of its character. The hotel sits a minute from the Promenade, and manages the rare feat of feeling both grand and genuinely relaxed. The spa is 3,000sqm and widely considered one of the best in Gstaad. For families, there is a well-run kids club through the winter season, a private cinema, and a children's playroom. Le Petit Chalet (one of the best gems in Gstaad) is Le Bellevue's charming wooden cottage for fondue and raclette in exactly the right setting. A strong choice for families who want something intimate, beautifully run and slightly more contemporary in feel than the Palace.
Short Stay Rentals
For families who want more space and flexibility, short stay villa and chalet rentals are an excellent option in Gstaad. Our chosen vendor is Gerax, who handle the search and booking process and know the market well. A private chalet with your own kitchen and living space changes the dynamic of a family trip considerably, particularly for longer stays.
Gstaad Palace
An iconic property that has been the centrepiece of Gstaad since 1913 and it retains a particular energy that no newer hotel can manufacture. The lobby is always buzzy, the restaurants are excellent - I particularly love eating at the Lobby, the dim sum and lobster udon are excellent, as well as at Le Grill). Staying here at the right time of year, particularly over Christmas and New Year, is genuinely spectacular. A caveat worth knowing: the rooms can be on the smaller, more dated side compared to what you would expect at this price point. You are not staying here for the room. You are staying here for the experience.
Summer Camps
Gstaad is renowned for its summer camps, and for good reason. Two we recommend: Boomerang and Le Rosey. Both are well-regarded, well-structured, and set against one of the most beautiful backdrops in Europe. Worth looking into well in advance as spaces fill early.
Where To Eat
Olden
Our favourite restaurant in Gstaad, full stop. In summer, do not u leave without ordering the fondue egg with truffle. It is one of those dishes that stays with you long after the trip.
Bagatelle
Not the party kind. A relaxed, well-executed restaurant with good food and a comfortable atmosphere - a reliable choice for a family dinner without any compromise on quality.
Le Petit Chalet
A favourite for obvious reasons. In winter, come for the fondue. In summer, come for the rotisserie. One of those spots that does exactly what it promises, in exactly the right setting. My kids feel like we are in a fairtytale when we eat here. Do not leave Gstaad without trying it.
Cerf Café
The go-to for fondue. Unpretentious, reliably good, and the kind of place you find yourself returning to more than once in a single trip.
Rossli
A well-regarded local option worth adding to the rotation — good food, easy atmosphere, no drama.
Sonnenhof
Impeccable in the truest sense. Family-run, with a small menu that never changes and never needs to. The kind of restaurant that makes you understand why some things are not broken. Don't leave without trying the infamous potatoe rosti, the summer salad and the cheesecake. A firm favourite.
Blunchi
Good Asian food for the days when you have reached your limit of cheese and butter. More necessary than it sounds by day three.
Arc en Ciel
A casual, relaxed spot for amazing pizza and an easy family lunch. There is a small playground in the garden with a track and pay-as-you-go mini cars (which my kids love) and a large playroom in the basement, suited to children aged three to ten - useful when you need food and entertainment running simultaneously.
Bergrestaurant Eggli
Reached by the Eggli cable car, this mountain restaurant sits next to Club de Luge with panoramic views across the Alps. A proper mountain lunch worth planning around.
The Lobby at Gstaad Palace
This is old-school glamour, people watching and good food at its finest. The dim sum is excellent and the lobster udon is something I crave back home. Worth going even if you are not staying at the Palace.
Wally's
A Gstaad institution. It's easy to dismiss given it's appearance - it's a tiny stand on the promenade, that you may not think to look twice at. But the food is great, it's the perfect fast food option, but don't be fooled, your burger and fries will cost you a solid 25 euros. Order the farm burger - it is worth every bite.
Gstaad Chocolate Shop
For dessert and the best chocolates in the village. You will find me here every single day at some hour of the day.
Things To Do
Erlebniswelt Alpenruhe
The public park of all public parks. A small farm, a huge trampoline, a sand area, a small train ride, swings, slides, pirate ships, and a full track where children can ride small bikes provided on site. You cannot get bored here. Clear the afternoon for it and bring snacks.
Wispile (Cable Car)
Take the cable car up from Gstaad village to Wispile and you are immediately in the mountains in a way that feels both accessible and genuinely awe-inspiring. Good for hiking, views, and mountain restaurants at the top. Works well with children of all ages.
Rinderberg (Mountain Park)
Take the cable car up to Rinderberg for a well-designed mountain park suited to children aged two to ten. Good views, great playground, fresh air and enough to keep children happily occupied for a half day. A solid option when you want something easy and outdoors without committing to a full excursion.
Glacier 3000, The 360 View
About 20 minutes from Gstaad by car, the cable car from Col du Pillon takes you up to just under 3,000 metres for a panoramic view that encompasses the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau simultaneously. The Peak Walk suspension bridge at the top is the centrepiece - a 107-metre crossing between two mountain peaks at altitude that is dramatic enough for adults and manageable for children who are comfortable with heights. There is also an alpine coaster at the top. Book cable car tickets in advance in peak season.
Arnensee Lake
A lake day worth planning properly. Pack a picnic or set up a BBQ, take a boat out on the water, and let the afternoon happen at its own pace. One of those low-key days that ends up being the one everyone remembers. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
Six Senses Spa at The Alpina (Day Pass)
One of the finest spas in the Swiss Alps, and day passes are available to non-hotel guests. If you are going to do one thing for yourself in Gstaad, this is it. Book in advance.
Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory (Day Trip)
About an hour from Gstaad in Broc near Gruyères, the Cailler factory is one of Switzerland's oldest chocolate producers and makes for an excellent half-day excursion. The interactive tour covers the history of chocolate and the Cailler story, ends with a tasting and the shop is large and well-stocked. Children under 16 enter free with a paying adult. Combine it with a visit to the medieval village of Gruyères and the cheese factory for a proper day out. Book tickets online in advance. A firm favourite we return to every year.
Hiking
You cannot come to Gstaad and not hike - there are trails in almost every direction, and the deeper you go into the forest the more you stumble across waterfalls, hidden streams, mountain goats - it is truly magical.
Where To Shop
The Promenade
The main pedestrian shopping street and the heart of village life. Short enough to walk end to end in minutes, but lined with everything from luxury boutiques to artisan food shops and local producers. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried in a way that makes even browsing feel like part of the holiday.
Maison Lorenz Bach
An iconic Gstaad institution on the Promenade since 1978. Ralph Lauren, Etro, Valentino, The Attico, and more - well curated, warm, and worth a proper look.
Trois Pommes
A well-regarded boutique for women's and men's fashion with a strong designer edit. One of the better independents on the strip.
Chanel Pop-Up — Winter Only
A seasonal pop-up that appears on the Promenade during winter. The edit is curated specifically for the resort season and tends to include pieces you will not find in a permanent boutique. Worth seeking out if your trip coincides.
Gstaad Chocolate Shop
Worth listing under shopping as well as eating. Stock up before you leave.
A note on seasons: Gstaad in winter is exceptional, particularly over Christmas when the village is at its most alive. Summer is quieter albeit the last few summers have gotten busier and busier and for me, the summer season is arguably more beautiful - the hiking, the lakes and the parks, and the pace slows in the best possible way. Either season works well with children. Both are worth doing.
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