The glitterati may know Gstaad in Switzerland best as a winter playground but this Alpine wonder shines in the summertime with spectacular views, warm mountain air and chic indulgence.
Stay:
Set in the shadow of the Swiss Alps, The Alpina Gstaad is a lesson in understated indulgence. A stay here in the warmer months promises an altogether more laid-back vibe than you’d find in the ski season; days are spent basking beside the spectacular pool and when the sun sets you can perch out on the terrace and clink glasses beneath the stars. With carved wooden ceilings, armchairs strewn with cashmere blankets and beds you won’t want to leave, the suites are a welcome sight after a day exploring the surrounding mountains, and the talented chefs knock up a breakfast worth writing home about.
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Taste:
Join the locals for alfresco dining at 16 Art, a gem of a place hidden away in nearby Saanen. The dishes are comforting and delicious, and there’s wine list brimming with Switzerland’s finest. Tuck into Wagyu Châteaubriand and an inventive line-up of maki at design-led Megu at The Alpina, cheffed by culinary geniuses Takumi Murase and Tsutomu Kugota.
Indulge:
The Alpina’s Six Senses Spa is balm for mind, body and soul. There’s a stupendous line-up of treatments between which you can hop from the salt cave to the sauna or grab an organic smoothie from the juice bar. The sleek outdoor pool is perfect for a few lazy lengths followed by a restorative snooze in the sun. Fancy a spot of retail therapy? Ultra-glitzy Hauptstrasse won’t disappoint.
Explore:
Between December and April the landscape is dusted with snow and skiing is the main lure, but in the summer months there’s excellent hiking and biking to be had among the majestic peaks. Head out on an e-bike and make the steep climb up to Lake Lauenen - the views are nothing short of soul-stirring.
What to wear:
Floaty shirt dress, £185, Maje; visit uk.maje.com
Crossover bikini top, £60 and Crossover bikini bottoms, £55, Bodas; visit bodas.co.uk
Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment, £19.50; visit kiehls.co.uk
Trip details:
Rooms at The Alpina Gstaad begin at CHF 287.50 (about £227) per person per night, including breakfast. British Airways flies from London to Geneva from £94 one way; visit ba.com. Trains from Geneva cost from CHF56 (£44) one way; visit myswitzerland.com/rail
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