Where Tradition and Mediterranean Flair Cross Paths: The Gstaad Palace Celebrates La Dolce Vita

Italy is in the air

The Gstaad Palace’s renowned winter restaurant is taking on a summer guise for the first time in the form of ‘Gildo’s al Fresco’. The new concept brings the colours, scents and laid-back atmosphere of an Italian summer’s day to Gstaad. In a stylish open-air trattoria setting, shades of yellow, lush greenery and natural materials blend with the mountain air of Gstaad. The fresh new design is the work of Raffi Otto of Atelier 72 in Zurich, who has brought the new outdoor restaurant to life with his refined, creative flair. The atmosphere is relaxed and summery, in keeping with the Mediterranean lifestyle – with no specific dress code and space for four-legged friends. ‘With “Gildo’s al Fresco”, we’ve brought a dash of southern flair to our garden – with the unmistakable nonchalance and joy that Gildo’s has always stood for,’ muses Andrea Scherz. The menu revolves around light Italian summer fare, ranging from fresh antipasti and classic pastas to exquisite fish and meat dishes. A special treat is also the pizzas baked in the traditional wood-fired oven. The pizzaiolo learned his craft in Naples and brings the southern Italian lightness to Gstaad.

52 years of Roy Emerson at the Gstaad Palace
His nickname is ‘Emmo’ – and, for more than five decades, the name has said it all. This summer sees the 52nd, and final, edition of the legendary Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks. The Australian Grand Slam champion, who grew up on a farm in Queensland, didn’t just bring sporting excellence to Gstaad, but also values such as fairness, comradeship and endurance. What started as a week of sport developed into a bona fide institution, shaped by traditions off the court, long-standing friendships among tennis fans and the close relationship with the owner family. ‘There’s nothing quite like what we’ve built up with Roy and Joy Emerson over the last 52 years. The “Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks” have brought us countless nail- biting matches on the Palace’s courts and even more enjoyable get-togethers that continue into the small hours of the night. They’ll always be a core part of the Gstaad Palace’s history,’ explains Andrea Scherz.

High up above Gstaad: the Walig Hut
The Walig Hut has been part of the Alpine cultural landscape above Gsteig for centuries. Built in 1783, it originally served as a simple Alpine shelter for farmers and their livestock, a structure based on stone, weatherproof wood and a no-frills, practical purpose. This rustic hut has been a core component of the Gstaad Palace offering for years. Just getting there is an experience in itself: the path winds through forests and meadows up to an altitude of 1,700 metres above sea level, where peace and quiet, open expanses and vistas of the Diablerets massif and the rolling Saanenland await. The hut’s culinary offerings are also shaped by Alpine traditions: lunches and evenings revolve around regional products and traditional Swiss dishes like a hearty half-and-half fondue cooked over an open fire. The Alpine hut can host up to four people overnight during the summer season – for a simple, authentic experience to remember.

A fun-filled summer in Gstaad’s mountains
Summer at the Gstaad Palace goes beyond gourmet experiences, combining nature, indulgence and heritage in all their forms: hikes to the Turbachtal valley or Arnensee mountain lake, trips to Glacier 3000 and its breathtaking skywalk, interactions with the Wispile goats or a laid-back picnic in the Palace’s sweeping gardens. Culinary highlights include Swiss National Day on 1 August. The fondue evening under the stars is also a much-loved event, as is the open-air seafood night, while the weekly Sunday brunch, featuring seasonal products and live cooking stations, is a veritable Gstaad institution.

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Gstaad Palace AG