Gstaad, 15 November 2018 – moitié-moitié fondue in a unique ambience and a White Party for dancing the night away. The Gstaad Palace will be melting the hearts of its winter guests twice this year: While the “Fromagerie”, a former gold bunker and probably the quirkiest fondue parlour in Switzerland, now offers its rustic Swiss specialities with a new look, the restaurant “Gildo’s” and the hotel’s own night club “Green Go” are celebrating Greek zest for life.
It was a revolution – and a trendy pub, before anybody in this country had thought of themed catering. In 1975/76, Ernst Andrea Scherz, resourceful and well-travelled owner of the Gstaad Palace – now a senior partner in non-retirement – turned the bunker, which was used as a safe place for money and gold during the Second World War, into a wittily cheerful meeting place by the name of “La Fromagerie”. The fondue parlour was originally exclusively reserved for the Saanenland’s gold: for the divine alpine cheese, served with deliberate charm and nonchalance, outfitted with ornate traditional chairs, wooden tables and red and white tablecloths and equipped with wildly thrown together crockery and cutlery. With this, there was fine chasselas and other local drinks.
And right up to today, in the cold months, the “Fromagerie” has remained the epicentre and most frequented restaurant in the palace. Guests from every country and part of society appreciate the simple, tasty classics such as fondue, raclette, and rarebit. For the winter season 2018/19, the bijou restaurant is now shining in new splendour: For this epicentre of pleasure at the Oberbort in Gstaad, interior designer Marina Nickels has sought out antique furniture and lights, and alpine finds. Here’s to the “Fromagerie” keeping its cult status for the next 40 years and more...
White Party in the Fairytale Castle
On the subject of cults: At least as well thought out as the “Fromagerie” concept is the look of what is probably Switzerland’s most original disco. The “GreenGo”, proudly 47 years young and opened in 1971, becomes the venue – not only for the gilded youth that, every winter season and night after night, parties into the early hours of the morning under the disco ball and in the glamorous gleam of the original designer lamps of Teo Jakob. The “White Party” takes place for the big finale of the “Greek Weeks”, which are big from 27 February to 9 March 2019 in the white fairytale castle in Gstaad. The white flakes are dancing outside, while the night-owls are sweating inside. And in “Gildo’s” restaurant it is always “kalispera” instead of “buonasera”: Head Chef Yannis Baxevanis and his team from the 5-star-resort Elounda Beach & Villas in Crete are guests in the Palace kitchen. This master of Greek cuisine is treating the guests to the finest Cretan delicacies. The star guest – he has also been awarded a Michelin star – is conquering the hearts of gourmets from New York to Canberra, Athens to Gstaad, in a flash, with his creative Greek cuisine.
The aroma of the wide world: in the expanded humidor with a view into the distance
What the Infinity Pool is for some, the smoking lounge of the lobby bar is for the Gstaad Palace with its unlimited view into the distance. And from now on, the views in the Palace smoking lounge are even more beautiful – not only for the smokers, because from there they can enjoy probably the best view of the Saanenland. The precious cigars have also been given more space in the glazed corner room – in a newly installed humidor cabinet, where in future precious wares such as a fine Cohiba Maduro 5, an intense Hoyo de Monterrey or the aromatic Davidoff Special «R» will be stored to preserve their special qualities. And that is not all: The selection for afficionados of fine tobacco has in addition grown substantially.
About Gstaad Palace
The first-class five-star superior Hotel Gstaad Palace, which opened its doors for the first time in December 1913, has been owned by the Family Scherz for three generations and is thus one of the last family-owned hotels in Europe where personalities live first-class hospitality culture. The 90 rooms and suites of this season hotel with an extraordinary panoramic view of the Bernese Oberland skilfully unite contemporary glamour with alpine comfort. In five restaurants, this Gstaad landmark serves Swiss, Italian and international specialities, and gourmet cuisine that has been awarded 15 Gault-Millau points. The hotel’s own night club GreenGo is well-known for legendary parties and its illustrious clientele. In the Palace Spa, the guest’s senses are pampered in an area of 1,800 square metres. In summer, an Olympic outdoor swimming pool and four tennis courts are available. With the Walig Hütte, an alp from 1783 at a height of 1,700 metres above sea-level, the Gstaad Palace possesses a unique refuge where guests can experience up close the true luxury of the Saanenland, peace, tranquility and authenticity. The Family Scherz welcomes their guests in winter from 21 December 2018 to 10 March 2019.