The picturesque destination of Gstaad, Switzerland, is all about glamour, albeit understated. The snowy wonderland, known for its skiing and plush aesthetic, is a playground for the rich and famous. It is a celebrity go-to destination every winter. Add to that Gstaad's luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, and you've got a heady cocktail.
Among an array of celebrities that head to Gstaad for the creme de la creme experience are Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The Bollywood couple loves to spend their winter days in the lap of this ethereal snowy paradise.
Saif and Kareena also own a stunning chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland, and often head there for winter holidays. Reportedly, priced at Rs 33 crore, Kareena can often be seen jet-setting to her chalet to ring in the New Year and chill with her family.
From Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli to Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton and many more, Gstaad is quite a regular with several celebrities, as well as the high and mighty from across the world.
Also Read: Kareena Kapoor And Natasha Poonawalla Don't Need Galentine's Day To Look Their Winter Luxury Best
Why is Gstaad a favourite with billionaires?
Gstaad attracts global elites with its beauty, luxurious stays, high-end shopping scene and much more. A bevy of absolute high-end brands line the promenade in Gstaad. The winter sports scene in Gstaad is unparalleled.
Think skiing, hiking, tobogganing, an igloo village: Gstaad has it all. Its winter scene is unbeatable. Gstaad has three ski areas, cross-country ski trails, winter hiking trails, and tobogganing runs. There are ski resorts and day spas to unwind in after all that activity. There's also a lot of mountain cheese and fondue on offer in this little chalet town.
Then there is Gstaad Palace, the most famous hotel in the resort town, which offers a breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps. The palace is synonymous with glitz and glamour as multiple famous personalities have flocked here over the years.
The car-free promenade in Gstaad. Photo: Ananya Bhattacharya
Moreover, the place also has the world-renowned Swiss boarding school, Institut le Rosey, which is situated in a magnificent manorial estate in Rolle and has a beautiful winter campus in Gstaad.
According to a 2017 Business Insider article, the school charges 108,900 Swiss francs a year in tuition fees. That's an eye-watering Rs 1 crore a year!
A stone plaque at the promenade. Photo: Ananya Bhattacharya
While luxury and ethereal views are the main reason to visit Gstaad, the place has much more to offer. The 2024 Swiss Open took place in Gstaad. The men's tennis tournament was played on outdoor clay courts. The 56th edition of the tournament, it was a part of the ATP Tour 250 Series of the 2024 ATP Tour.
How to travel to Gstaad
Gstaad is located in the southwest of Switzerland in the Saanenland of the Bernese Oberlands. Despite its high-end clientele, this little village has retained its age-old charm. A visit to Gstaad is like taking a step back in time to slow down.
There are multiple ways in which one can reach this opulent destination.
If you are already in Switzerland and planning to head to Gstaad, it is best to travel by train. The Swiss Rail Pass covers this route.
Gstaad is a station on the GoldenPass Railway route between Montreux and Interlaken. The trip starts in the picturesque Interlaken and continues via Gstaad and Montbovon to Montreux, the journey's final stop.
You can also start your journey from Montreux and head to Gstaad, which will take approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes.
The GoldenPass Railway train from Montreux to Interlaken. Photo: Ananya Bhattacharya
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