MOUNTAIN HIGH
The Alpine paradise that is Gstaad Palace has given its restaurant La Fromagerie a luxurious facelift; the quirkiest fondue parlour in Switzerland just got even better.
Gstaad Palace is the Swiss fairytale castle with a glamorous history; a five-star favourite of everyone from Sophia Loren to Grace Kelly and Burton and Taylor, its mountain-set location, amid the stunning, snowy vistas of the Bernese Oberland, along with its fabulous original Seventies décor, has ensured it a place in the hearts of the bold and the beautiful everywhere. These days, you might spot the likes of Poppy Delvigne, Anne Hathaway and Mark Ronson slinking away on its world-famous (no photos allowed) GreenGo disco dancefloor, after a day on the slopes, before retiring for cocktails, such as the signature Scherz Cocktail – Tanqueray Gin with equal portions Martini Dry and Martini Rouge, on the rocks. And for some 100 years, the Scherz family owners have managed to blend its impeccable service and deep luxury with a relaxed family feel.
Part of what makes the Gstaad so special is the food, which is sublime, whether in The Grill, the famous Gildo’s restaurant, with its fine Cretan delicacies – or in the bijou, subterranean La Fromagerie. And it’s the latter that has now become even more alluring. A former wartime gold bunker, it has just had a facelift from the English interior designer Marina Nickels (who is also responsible for the hotel's charming Classic suites’ design), and has long supplied guests with its legendary truffle and champagne cheese fondue.
This cosy restaurant’s history dates back to the mid-1970s, when hotel owner Ernst Andrea Scherz transformed the bunker into a fondue parlour, serving up alpine cheese, traditional raclette and rarebit amid its ornate traditional chairs, wooden tables and classic red and white tablecloths. Today, it’s the Gstaad’s most popular restaurant, and thanks to Nickels looks just as good as its food tastes, with its antique furniture and lights, and alpine finds. And if all that rich food has made you fret about your waistline, there’s always the Palace Spa to drop in afterwards, comprising eight treatment rooms, saunas, steam baths and a hammam… bliss.