Le Grand Bellevue
Gstaad, Switzerland

Name: Le Grand Bellevue
Address: Unterstaadstrasse 17-21, Gstaad, Gstaad, 3780, Switzerland

About the hotel

Style

Historic

Rooms

"Perfectly situated on the village’s main promenade within its own manicured park, Le Grand Bellevue is an elegant hotel with light-filled guestrooms, Michelin-starred dining and abundant facilities."

Gstaad’s bijou beauty, Le Grand Bellevue, is perfectly situated on the main promenade of the village. Attractions are all within walking distance, including the train station which is less than five minutes away on foot. Swiss service standards are well and truly upheld here; expect to be treated like a member of the household in this environment of unfussy but elegant British-Swiss flair.

Opened in 1912, this elegant primrose yellow hotel is situated within its own manicured park. It’s so pretty from the outside that it simply begs to be explored within. Easily done if you stay here in one of the large, light-filled 57 rooms or nine suites, all of which are decorated in soothing neutrals with pops of colour in the pillows, carpets and curtains. Some of the suites are in the turreted towers and, obviously, the higher floors have better views.

Whichever category you choose, you’ll have access to a complimentary (soft) mini-bar, a pillow menu if you’re particular, a Nespresso machine, turndown irresistible treats and a buffet breakfast that’s second to none. Get up early, and you’ll see the local dairy farmer from the neighbouring village delivering the day’s supply of yoghurt, followed by the farmer with his stash of eggs.

Access to such delicious staples no doubt enables Leonard’s, the hotel’s one Michelin-starred, beautiful restaurant with its comfortable seating and huge vases of fresh flowers, to turn out such superb and unfussy fare on a consistent basis. The chef, Francesco De Bartolomeis, cleverly gives diners the choice of bistro food or a fine dining experience, while the neighbouring bar, called The Bar, has round-the-clock lighter meals like pasta and burgers and, of course, fabulous cocktails.

There’s a sushi bar for times when you just can’t stomach another cheese meal, but if you can, don’t shy away from Le Petit Chalet for a fondue or raclette. Wherever you dine, you’ll have access to some of the world’s finest wines. If you don’t finish the bottle with your meal, take the last sip with you and wander into the beautiful lounge with its velvet upholstered sofas and roaring fire.

There’s an abundance of facilities here: a massive spa with swimming pool and hot tub, a state-of-the-art gym hosting classes daily, tennis courts, a cinema, mountain bikes to hire, a ski shop, a cigar lounge, a children’s indoor playground and a boutique with some very handsome fashion pieces and accessories.