Rising above the Bernese Oberland village of Gstaad like a confection of white turrets and crenellated towers, the building that houses the Gstaad Palace has dominated this alpine skyline since 1913, when it was constructed in a mock-castle style that made its ambitions unmistakable from every chalet rooftop below. The property has remained in the Scherz family since 1938, and that continuity of ownership explains something the images confirm immediately — this is a place that has been refined rather than reinvented, layered rather than stripped back. The exterior, illuminated in the aerial winter photograph, carries the feeling of a fairy-tale fortress planted with absolute conviction into the snow. Inside, the design moves between two registers that somehow coexist without friction. The public rooms deploy richly carved pale timber ceilings, plaid wingback chairs, tufted chesterfield sofas in brandy-brown leather, and heavy damask drapes in a palette of ochre and moss — mountain lodge idiom pushed toward English country house warmth. The guest rooms shown follow a similar logic: one layered in raspberry linens with botanical prints and raw timber beams, another dressed in antique-trunk side tables and carved coffered ceilings that frame the valley views like paintings. The spa wing takes a more contemporary turn, aged barn-timber ceiling planks floating above a sleek pool edged with rattan loungers and tropical palms — an unexpectedly warm contrast to the snowfields visible through full-height glazing beyond.

1hr 20min drive from Bern airport (BRN); 2hr drive from Geneva airport (GVA); 3hr drive from Zurich (ZRH); Saanen airport nearby can accommodate private jets

Overlooking the surrounding Saanenland, the Gstaad Palace rises from the forest like a fairy-tale castle. Yet the delights and pleasures that await the traveller within its walls are real. Situated in the Bernese Oberland, the five-star hotel is one of the Leading Hotels of the World and has been enchanting visitors since 1913 – not with magic spells, but by offering true hospitality and lived tradition. Sustainability and a close affinity to nature are part of the Palace DNA, which has been in the hands of the Scherz family for three generations. Discretion is a core value in this Swiss luxury hotel, as are cordiality and service with a personal touch. A warm welcome awaits all the family, with special entertainment provided for the kids. All 90 suites and rooms are individually furnished in a chic, alpine style. They offer highest standards in comfort and fantastic views of the mountain panorama. In summer, Palace guests can enjoy an authentic alpine lunch or dinner at the Walig Hut, a secluded hideaway that is also available for an overnight stay close to the stars. The Gstaad Palace serves top quality regional produce across its five restaurants. Internationally inspired, the hotel’s cuisine is enriched with a dash of Asian sophistication and a sprinkle of Mediterranean vivacity. The Lobby Bar – also known as Gstaad's living room – is a popular and convivial meeting place for all, while dancing queens and party kings will feel at home among the dazzling lights of the legendary GreenGo Club. With its comprehensive infrastructure, the Gstaad Palace offers everything required for special celebrations, weddings, meetings and conferences. Covering 1800 square metres, the Palace Spa is an oasis of mindfulness with jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, lounge and relaxation room. A range of massages and treatments using selected botanical ingredients is offered in a serene environment featuring granite from nearby Lake Blausee, an open log fire and views of the mountains. While the indoor pool is available all year round, the outdoor «PISCINE» has been a top meeting place for summer visitors to Gstaad since 1928. A favourite with guests and locals alike, the Olympic-sized pool is the perfect place for cooling down. A fitness and Pilates room, as well as tennis and squash courts further complement the range of sporting facilities. The extensive ski area is within easy reach, while the golf course is situated just 19 km away. A gentle stroll of around eight minutes will take hotel guests to Gstaad's village centre and railway station.