Gstaad is best known for traditional 5-star palaces, but Huus Hotel is something quite different. Designed by a Swede, it oozes laid-back Scandinavian charm from industrial-chic interiors. In the lounge, giant orange sofas sit alongside leather pouffes, statement lights, hand-picked coffee-table books and even the odd guitar hanging from the wall. The 136 bedrooms are similarly cool, with smokey-blue walls, toffee-brown cushions and copper lamps. It all combines to create a very stylish mountain retreat.
The hotel attracts an all-encompassing crowd, from couples to families (there are dedicated play zones and family rooms); dogs are welcome, too. Skiing is the main attraction, with hundreds of kilometres of all-level pistes on the doorstep, but folk also come for other winter and summer activities in the surrounding Bernese Oberland, many of which are included in the rates. After a day of outdoor adventure, return for some pampering in the spa, a soak in the indoor pool, sophisticated food in the twinkling à la carte restaurant, or burgers and cocktails in the bar, all accompanied by sweeping mountain views. This gorgeous place has something for all tastes.
Highs
- The lounge is a lovely buzzy hub, with its double height bar, bright orange sofas, bauble lamps and occasional live music
- A daily activity is included in the rates - guided skiing, snowshoe walks and sledging in winter; hiking, mountain biking and more in summer
- Lots of dining options: gourmet fare, informal buffets and tapas, bar food, even a fondue chalet in the grounds
- Great for families, with connecting rooms and split-level 'gallery' rooms, an on-site kids club, and free ski sessions (including tuition) for younger kids
- An excellent spa with an indoor pool, an aromatic sauna, an ice fountain, a herbal steam bath and massages
Lows
- It's larger than most i-escape hotels, but that doesn't mean it's short on character
- Gstaad is quite low, so it's not one of the most snow-sure ski resorts
- Restaurant service can be a little slow at busy times
- Be prepared for DJ music and party vibes in the bar on Friday and Saturday evenings (until 11pm)
- Three different play rooms including a play space for younger ones with toys, craft corner and painting materials
- Wii, XBox, PlayStations and Nintendo
- Dedicated kids spa area with cave shower, sauna, climbing wall
- Table football
- Billiards and skittles
- Cinema and disco evenings
- Campfire evenings
- Outdoor adventure play garden
- Swimming pool and treatments in main spa
- Boutique Hotel
- 136 rooms
- Restaurants & bars (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Indoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The compact-but-chic rooms are all similarly styled: smokey-blue walls, toffee-brown leather cushions, dazzling white bed linen and copper industrial lighting. Swedish-made Hästens beds are firm but comfy, thanks to their famous horsehair stuffing. The snazzy decor is complemented by an array of useful touches, such as Huus-branded backpacks and toiletries, an in-room tablet for accessing weather forecasts and the like, a Swiss army blanket to wrap yourself in on the balcony or terrace (all rooms have one), and Zeiss binoculars to bring the mountains even closer. You also get a sitting area with a round metal table and banquette seating, as well as banks of cupboards.
The rooms are either north-facing, sunnier south-facing, or south-facing with a restricted view. Other than that there's little difference between categories, apart from smaller double beds in the single rooms, and separate sitting rooms in the suites; some rooms have sofabeds or mezzanine levels with extra beds, too. Only a third have bathtubs, so ask when booking if you like a good soak after a day of mountain adventure.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
You can eat anything and everything here, from teetering burgers with crunchy chips in the bar, to hearty raclettes and fondues in a separate chalet in the grounds. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, there's also delicious tapas in The Stollen, a cosy, cave-like bar beneath the hotel.
You'll find the poshest nosh in the à la carte restaurant, La Vue. The world cuisine is impeccable - we dined on tempura-style calamari with lime mayonnaise, and sweet roasted spring chicken perched on a mound of purple potato puree. We didn't have room for the signature Huus dessert, a frothy confection of Bavarian cream with honey, hazelnuts, dark chocolate and forest fruits, but it looked divine.
Breakfast is served in the canteen-style Huus Gstaad Restaurant and consists of the usual continental spread (pastries, yoghurts, fruit, cold cuts, cheeses). You can also head there for buffet-style dinners of pizzas, pasta and salads, available through a half-board add-on.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- The hotel is in the Gstaad-Saanenland ski area, which has 250km of pretty pistes suitable for all levels. You can hire equipment from the hotel, and the lifts are just 5-15 minutes away by free shuttle bus
- Don't forget that the hotel lays on complimentary guided activities each day, including snow-shoe tours, sledging and guided off-piste skiing in winter (book a day or two ahead)
- In summer, options include guided hiking, Nordic walking, climbing, river rafting, canyoning, stand-up paddleboarding and mountain biking - again, one daily activity is included
- The brave can embark on the Indiana Jones climbing experience, a rugged introduction to mountaineering with rappelling, zip wires and more
- If you fancy something a bit more relaxing, float above the mountains in a hot-air balloon (extra cost), shop in the ritzy boutiques of Gstaad, or book a horse and carriage ride to the Lauenensee
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Canyoning
- Climbing
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Hot air ballooning
- Mountain biking
- Rafting
- Skiing
- Snowsports
- SUP
- Zip-wiring
Best Time to go
January and early March are best for skiing, as they avoid the crowded peak season during the February school holidays. June, September and October are lovely and warm - perfect for hiking and biking. July and August can get very hot and bring the risk of thunderstorms. The hotel closes for around a month after Easter, and again from the end of October to mid-December.
Our Top Tips
Thoughtful extras make your packing easier: in-room tablets, free-to-borrow rucksacks and binoculars, and an on-site ski hire shop (with the chance to "test drive" their Huus-branded skis for a day).
Do sample one of the potent house cocktails. We loved the Aloha, a head-spinning combo of ginger, coconut, pineapple juice and 'Casamigos' Tequila (George Clooney’s brand), served in an over-sized gold pineapple with a gold straw!
And a heads up: all the bedrooms sit below the main lounge but are confusingly named first or second floor. It's very easy to go the wrong way in the lift - especially after a house cocktail or two!
Do sample one of the potent house cocktails. We loved the Aloha, a head-spinning combo of ginger, coconut, pineapple juice and 'Casamigos' Tequila (George Clooney’s brand), served in an over-sized gold pineapple with a gold straw!
And a heads up: all the bedrooms sit below the main lounge but are confusingly named first or second floor. It's very easy to go the wrong way in the lift - especially after a house cocktail or two!
Location
Huus Hotel sits on a sunny, south-facing hillside on the edge of the glitzy resort of Gstaad, in the Gstaad-Saanenland ski area. It's 1,111m above sea level, among the rolling peaks of Switzerland's Bernese Alps.
By Air:
The nearest airports are Bern (76km away), Geneva (154km away) and Zurich (203km away). All are served by plenty of flights - click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
All the above airports are linked to the resort via good rail services. The train from Geneva, which snakes alongside the lake then up through mountainous peaks, is one of the most scenic rides we've ever experienced. Transfers can be arranged by the hotel, too.
By Train:
You can take the train from Geneva to Saanen or Schönried, via a change at Montreux (approx. 3hr journey). The hotel can organise a shuttle from both stations.
By Car:
If you'd prefer to drive, then see our car rental recommendations. Free parking is available.
Detailed directions will be sent when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Switzerland and getting around
Airports:
- Bern 76.0 km BRN
- Geneva 154.0 km GNV
Other:
- Beach 500.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km