Wellness, folklore, nature and business
The slogan "Come up, slow down" is program. Whether 5-star wellness offers, a typical alpine whey bath or a company event in nature, the destination Gstaad stands for lived charm in the middle of an intact alpine environment.
Folklore in Gstaad
Outstanding gastronomy, lively traditions and unspoiled landscapes characterize the region's diverse offerings. The destination of Gstaad offers an incomparable wellness experience.
"Come up, slow down" is not simply a fitting slogan, but an invitation to guests to slow down and let themselves be pampered and inspired. Gstaad promises - as few places do - discreet luxury and prestige. Class is evident in the high-class 5-star hotel industry and the range of top events.
In the past, "man and woman" resided in Gstaad for several weeks at a time: they strolled, played tennis and showed themselves off. The clothes were mostly white, more elegant than sporty. The faces were tanned and the laughter carefree.
Or people went skiing and enjoyed international company in stylish restaurants and cheerful bars in the evening. This clientele has remained loyal to Gstaad.
Gstaad has also evolved. The place and the region offer all the amenities of modern hospitality. Nevertheless, the special attitude to life that the microcosm of Gstaad radiates has been preserved to this day. It is the attitude to life of the bon vivants of times gone by.
The garden lounge at Le Grand Bellevue
Here they still exist - real alpine villages. Chalets are a trademark of the Saanenland. Rich in ornamentation, decorated with flowers in summer and dusted with powder snow in winter, they make the villages so homey. When you sit in front of the crackling fireplace in the cozy warm chalet and watch the snowflakes, you feel at home. Arrived! Perhaps it is this harmony that has attracted many families to Gstaad for generations.
In the area of Meetings and Incentives, Gstaad cooperates with six specialized hotels. These have modern seminar rooms and the appropriate technical equipment. The total of more than 40 hotels in the region cover different needs and thematic focuses. They range from distinctive pleasure and wellness hotels to golf and hiking hotels to specialized family hotels.
Freeriding and "Alpine Snow Games", balloon rides or a visit to the Cailler chocolate factory - everything is possible. Sporting, gastronomic and cultural highlights make a stay in Gstaad an unforgettable experience. Whether summer or winter, day or night, every guest will find something exciting for himself.
The numerous events in the course of a year reflect the diversity and openness of the destination Gstaad. In July, the beach volleyball major series - "Swatch Major Gstaad" takes place, followed by the "Gstaad Menuhin Festival" and the "J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad". In August people meet for the "Hublot Polo Gold Cup". Country music lovers meet in September at the "Country Night Gstaad". The diverse offers attract an international audience.
The Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (BDG) can now call itself "Rising Star of the Year". The BDG were awarded by the International Skiareatest. It is not the only prize that the destination has won in the anonymous quality check, which has been carried out in the European Alpine region for 24 years.
BDG received awards in a total of seven categories. On May 18, the company had the pleasure of receiving the awards at the 24th Winter Awards 2018/19 in Innsbruck. In addition to the award as climber of the year 2019, the Gstaad mountain railroads were awarded the international slope quality seal in gold, the international slope quality seal for the toboggan runs and the best guest information system. BDG Managing Director Matthias In-Albon was honored as "Cableway Operator of the Year." The Piste Manager Trophy went to Walter Reichenbach (BDG) and the Architecture Trophy to Elisabeth Wampfler of Jaggi & Partner for BDG buildings.
One of the trademarks of Gstaad is its intact nature. This central value is the basis for the quality of life of the locals. For guests, it is the basis for the enjoyment experience. In order to preserve this, the destination of Gstaad relies on a conscious approach to nature and natural resources.
Heat generation is also sustainable and ecological. The energy produced by the Saanen-Gstaad district heating network is primarily generated from wood chips. This natural and renewable raw material covers 93 percent of the heating requirements. Thanks to the fuel, which grows on the doorstep, 3,300,000 liters of petroleum can be saved. This amount corresponds to around 240 tanker trucks with a capacity of 14,000 liters.
50 years ago, the hoteliers of the Saanenland created a pioneering institution with the Hotel Central Laundry. It is operated jointly. The hoteliers wanted to continue to cultivate this original community idea so that future generations can also benefit from it and carry it forward. Thus, the new construction of the Dorfrütti central laundry is a milestone in technical, ecological and business management terms.
The Gstaad Palace is also breaking new ground. What was considered almost impossible in the top hotel industry until recently has now been implemented by the hotel management - LED lighting. In close cooperation with lighting specialists, the energy-saving LED technology was successfully implemented without compromising on quality and comfort.
Incomparable location: The Gstaad Palace
In Gstaad, people are proud of their traditions and live by them. There are 200 farms, 80 actively run alps and about 7000 cows in the region around the top hotel industry.
In the midst of this down-to-earth setting, guests are offered more than a thousand cultural and sporting events. The combination of top hotels and excellent conference and wellness facilities is attractive for business and private guests.
The "Wellness Destination" seal of quality awarded by the Swiss Tourism Federation recognizes vacation resorts that offer high-quality wellness facilities. Gstaad first received the seal of approval in 2008 thanks to the excellent quality of its wellness offerings. In 2017, the Swiss Tourism Federation awarded Gstaad the label for another three years. This makes Gstaad the only destination in the Bernese Oberland that is allowed to carry the seal of quality.
* by Heinz Urben
Team building activities
The Alpinzentrum Gstaad AG and Experience SA offer a whole range of team-building activities. There is something for practically every need - for example with the Shooting Challenge with crossbow, arrow bow, air rifle or blowpipe. Or with the Tipi Adventure, where the roof over your head must first be built. This can be accompanied by a meal around the campfire and guests can also spend the night in the tents. In the treasure hunt, teams must use a road booklet and map to find various posts in Gstaad and around the village in a given time frame. For the teambuilding, a renowned management coach designs a tailor-made, sustainable and targeted program.
The "creative team event" calls for team spirit and inventiveness. Whether in the snow in the alpine environment or in a forest - nature provides the building materials for the team work. After the work of art is completed, the team photographs its sculpture and at the end of the event the best picture is awarded a prize by a jury.
Top conference hotels
In accordance with the motto "anything goes", the 5-star superior hotel, which opened in 1913, can be Gstaad Palace even rent it out in its entirety on selected dates: The 30,000 m2 resort can then be transformed into a seminar hotel on request, providing participants with the inspiration they need with its wide range of facilities. The Palace Spa, the legendary GreenGo nightclub, the four tennis courts and the squash court are also available exclusively to event organizers. For get-togethers with a view, the "Grande Terrasse " opens up against the backdrop of the Gstaad Alps.
The light-flooded, ultra-modern meeting rooms in the 5-star hotel Le Grand Bellevue offer a magnificent view of the Alps. From intimate meeting rooms that can accommodate up to ten people to a large seminar room with its own private terrace and luxurious amenities, anything is possible. The creative meeting packages, filled with gourmet food and all sorts of action-packed activities - from glacier skiing and river rafting to scenic alpine flights - add fun and variety to the meeting experience.
The Six Senses Spa offers seminar participants in the 5-star hotel The Alpina Gstaad a relaxing balance to the demanding program. Tai-chi, Pilates, yin-yang yoga and more are offered. The luxury hotel has a private auditorium as a flexible meeting and event space. Comfortable boardrooms with the latest presentation technology, such as interactive Samsung flipchart, complete the offer for meetings and conferences. As a supporting program for meetings
and events, The Alpina Gstaad offers guided art tours in the hotel's own "The Alpina Private Art Collection".
