Gstaad – Enjoying the alpine summer in style
We simply love Gstaad in the summertime. It is a time of year when the socialites who tend to read the wine list from right to left have cleared the stage. Hotel rates are delightfully reasonable and no longer limited to guests who whip out their platinum cards when checking out. The spectrum of pastimes and sports, culinary and cultural events to choose from in Gstaad is tremendous and probably without equal anywhere else in Switzerland. The eyes of the tennis community will be trained on Gstaad in July when the town hosts the Ladies Championship and the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open. And the splendid alpine scenery is thrown in for free.
10 Tips for a perfect summertime stay in Gstaad
Tip no. 1: Huus Gstaad – the up-and-coming star of Gstaad’s hotel scene
We are not the backpacker type with sleeping bag and cooking gear strapped to our backs. Rather, we fancy comfortable pocket spring mattresses by Hästens at the new hotel Huus Gstaad. The unique design that the Swedish architectural firm of Stylt Trampoli AB chose for this four-star hotel, which opened in December 2016, is very impressive, and so is the innovative concept of “Included Activities” that encourages guests to explore the grand outdoors around Gstaad. Options include river rafting, canyoning, mountain climbing or hiking—something for everyone.
Tip no. 2: Wasserngrat – the perfect retreat for a peaceful time out
Take your pick between a rocky climb up to the highest alpine chalet in the region, and the more convenient chair lift. No matter how you got there, the sun deck of the Alpine restaurant Wasserngrat will reward you with a breath-taking view of the scenery around Saanen, while your palate will be treated to a divine cream-topped meringue (double cream from Gruyères).
Tip no. 3: Sonnenhof – a gourmet’s place in the sun
The Sonnenhof restaurant is housed in a historic chalet typical for the Bernese Oberland. It overlooks Gstaad, and its wooden interior creates an authentic ambience that complements the straightforward no-nonsense fare of Erich Baumer. He cultivates a light and creative gourmet cuisine that places the intrinsic taste of the product front and centre. An unforgettable experience at the Sonnenhof are the paper-thin ravioli in a number of variations, and the Simmental sliced filet of beef in Stroganoff sauce, served with crisp Swiss hash browns.
Tip no. 4: Beach Volleyball Major Series – ocean-front ambience in Gstaad
On 04 July 2017, the summer sports season in Gstaad will open with the Beach Volleyball Major Series that is the product of a collaborative venture between Red Bull and ACTS. Now in its 18th season, the event will see the world’s finest male and female beach volleyball athletes compete in the village. In addition to the suspenseful matches, the beach atmosphere in this alpine setting is enhanced by hot rhythms. Tuesdays and Wednesdays: free admission.
Tip no. 5: World Class Tennis – one highlight after another
Ladies Championship Gstaad, © Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus
Two major tennis tournaments represent the sporting highlights of the season as they turn the alpine village into a cosmopolitan society hot spot, one being the Ladies Championship between 15 and 23 July, the other the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad between 22 and 30 July 2017. For more than 100 years, tennis pros have convened in Gstaad to compete, one of the being Margaret Smith Court who holds the record in Grand Slam titles. Others who have played and won here include Richard Gasquet, Stefan Edberg, Thomaz Bellucci and Roger Federer.
Tip no. 6: Menuhin Festival – get-together of the star performers
On 13 July 2017, one of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe (or indeed in the world) will kick off in Saanen that was founded by violin virtuoso and eventually conductor Yehudi Menuhin. It is regularly attended by celebrated stars like Cecilia Bartoli, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Valery Gergiev, Evgeny Kissin and many others. The origins of the Menuhin Festival date back to 1956, when Yehudi Menuhin was asked to enrich the Gstaad summer season with classic music concerts. Menuhin was immediately taken by the idea, and the Menuhin Festival was brought to life at St Mauritius Church in Saanen just one year later. The concerts are inspired by the intense relationship between the artists and the scenic setting of the Bernese Oberland.
Tip no. 7: Hublot Polo Gold Cup – a real treat for equestrian sports Aficionados
As in previous seasons, this summer will bring some of the world’s best polo players back to Gstaad. The long polo weekend of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup (17 through 20 August 2017) will be kicked off with the parade of players on Friday afternoon.
Tip no. 8: Gstaad Züglete – a “Must Do” for fans of Swissness
Gstaad is home to 7,000 cows. On 02 September 2017, the pedestrian precinct will be all theirs. Adorned with flowers, they will promenade past Louis Vuitton and all the other luxury boutiques. All of the cow parades are authentic in the sense that the animals and their herders spend hours on the trail descending from their alpine meadows before they reach town.
Tip no. 9: 16 Art Bar Restaurant – serving small works of art
The small garden on the Mittelgässli in Saanen is a magnificent place to spend balmy summer evenings seated among fragrant rose bushes. The menu at the 16 Art Bar Restaurant is short but eclectic. We were thrilled by the vitello tonnato with artichokes and the tender breast of guinea hen with lemon and ginger vegetables.
Tip no. 10: The Bar at Huus Gstaad for Connoisseurs
There is perhaps no way for vacationers to end an eventful day more stylishly than with an exclusive drink of gin or single malt whisky at the bar of the Huus Gstaad. In addition to an extensive collection of whiskies and gins, you can choose from around 450 spirits that are lined up in a wall of bottles extending to the ceiling – the largest selection in the Bernese Oberland.
On pillowandpepper.com we share the numbers of the best rooms at the Huus Gstaad with you. Let yourself be inspired, because alpine summers in Gstaad are positively rejuvenating.
We wish you great fun planning your next trip and yet more pleasure in Gstaad!