The Alpina Gstaad
switzerland, switzerland · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
The Alpina is the quietly brilliant Gstaad option — 56 rooms, discreet, design-forward, and the first new five-star to open in Gstaad in more than a century when it launched in 2012. Where the Palace is turreted theatre, the Alpina is reclaimed-wood chalet minimalism with serious substance: Martin Göschel's 2-Michelin-starred Sommet restaurant, a 2,000 m² Six Senses Spa (still the best Six Senses in the Alps), fireplaces in almost every room, and a private cinema. Everything is calibrated for couples — the scale is small, corridors are quiet, and the public rooms feel like someone's very well-designed home. For a honeymoon where privacy matters more than being seen, the Alpina is our top overall Swiss pick. It also has the best food in Gstaad, which for a seven-night stay matters quite a lot.
- ✓Trust couples-verified reviews
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
93/100
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Go for a Deluxe Junior Suite with Fireplace on the west side for sunset views over the Saanenland. These are 60-70 m², with wood-burning fireplace, private balcony, and the Alpina's signature reclaimed-oak ceilings. For a major splurge, the Penthouse Suite (400 m² with private spa, outdoor hot tub, and wraparound terrace) is the most private suite in any Gstaad hotel. All rooms are designed by HBA with Swiss craftsmen — genuinely beautiful, not just expensive.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $2,750/nt) | $19,250 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $28,875 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $600 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $3,850 |
| Total estimated | $55,275 |
Book Your Stay
Check availability
We compare The Alpina across partners and redirect to the cheapest option.
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival & Sommet opening night
GoldenPass train from Zurich (3.5 hours) or helicopter transfer (25 min). Suite prepped with fire lit. Aperitifs at the MEGU bar, then dinner at Sommet — Martin Göschel's 2-Michelin tasting menu. Ask for the window banquette. Nightcap by the Lobby fireplace.
Six Senses Spa day
A genuine full spa day: breakfast in, a Six Senses signature couples' treatment (120 min), the meditation pool, salt cavern, and a long session in the indoor-outdoor pool as snow falls. Light dinner at MEGU — the Alpina's Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, excellent miso black cod.
Ski day + private cinema night
Ski butler gets you on-mountain; ski Wispile or drive to Zweisimmen for wider terrain. Long lunch at a hut. Back for a private film screening in the Alpina's in-house cinema (screen your choice, popcorn and Champagne included). Late dinner at the Swiss Stübli for fondue.
Snowshoe & cheese-dairy visit
Guided morning snowshoe in the Lauenensee nature reserve. Private cheese-dairy visit in a Saanenland farm — the Alpina partners with the best local producers. Afternoon spa, dinner at Sommet tasting menu night two, different courses.
Glacier 3000 & Peak Walk
Half-day at Glacier 3000 (cable car up from Col du Pillon, suspension bridge between summits at 3,000 m, dog-sledding loop if snow is right). Back by 4pm for an Alpine Champagne aperitif at the Lobby bar. Dinner at MEGU sushi counter.
Private spa suite + tasting menu
Book the Alpina's private spa suite for 3 hours: hammam, vitality pool, double treatment table. Evening: grand final at Sommet, dressed up — Göschel will often come out to chat with honeymoon tables if you tip off the maître d'.
Slow breakfast & helicopter home
Late breakfast on the south terrace, reluctant packing, helicopter back to Zurich Airport (25 minutes, included in many stay packages). Luggage forwarding if you prefer the panoramic train instead.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The Alpina closes for 5-6 weeks between seasons (typically mid-April to mid-June and mid-October to mid-December). Confirm operating dates before booking flights.
Not the place for a social or scene-y honeymoon — the Alpina is proudly quiet. If you want nightlife, GreenGo at the Palace is a 10-minute walk and guests often split the evening between the two hotels.
Only 56 rooms, and they book out 4-6 months in advance for February and Christmas/New Year. If you want a specific suite, enquire well ahead.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon enquiry — The Alpina Gstaad, February 2027 Hello Alpina reservations team, We'd love to book our honeymoon with you. Details: - Dates: 7 nights in mid to late February 2027 (flexible by 2-3 days for best suite availability) - Room: Deluxe Junior Suite with Fireplace, west-facing for sunset, highest floor possible; please have the fire lit on arrival - Occasion: honeymoon — any welcome would be appreciated - Dining pre-bookings, ideally: Sommet tasting menu on night one, MEGU on night two, Sommet again on night four and night six, Swiss Stübli fondue on night three, MEGU sushi counter on night five. If Chef Göschel's schedule allows, we'd love a brief hello on our last Sommet night - Spa: a 120-minute Six Senses couples' ritual on day two; 3-hour private spa suite booking on day six - Activities: one full day of private ski instruction (intermediate), guided snowshoe with cheese-dairy visit, Glacier 3000 half-day, private cinema screening one evening - Transfer: please quote both your helicopter from Zurich Airport and the GoldenPass panoramic train with luggage forwarding; we're inclined toward helicopter inbound and train return Could you share current honeymoon packages, cancellation policy, and confirm early check-in / late checkout are possible? Warmly, [Names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The Alpina or Gstaad Palace?
The Alpina wins on food (2-Michelin Sommet), spa (Six Senses), privacy, and room design. The Palace wins on heritage, scene, nightlife (GreenGo) and sheer alpine theatre. For a honeymoon focused on each other, the Alpina. For one with a social/jet-set evening scene, the Palace. Many couples do 4 nights Alpina + 3 nights Palace to get both sides of Gstaad.
What makes Sommet worth it?
Martin Göschel's cooking is modern alpine — hyper-local ingredients (Saanen cheeses, Berner beef, lake char), finished with French technique, delivered in 7-9 courses with one of the deepest Swiss wine lists in the country. Two Michelin stars held since 2016. Book at least two nights; the Wednesday truffle menu in February is outstanding.
Is the Six Senses Spa really a Six Senses?
Yes — it's a genuine Six Senses-operated spa within the hotel, 2,000 m² over three floors. Signature Alpine Awakening treatment is the classic honeymoon booking. The salt cavern and Watsu pool are unusual for the Alps; the outdoor hot tub in snow is the spa's defining experience.
How is it in summer?
Summer at the Alpina is an underrated honeymoon — hiking, mountain biking, hot-air ballooning, lake swimming, wide empty valleys, and dramatically lower room rates (30-40% less). The terrace at Sommet is one of the great summer dining rooms in Switzerland.
Helicopter from Zurich — worth it?
If you're arriving with limited time or from a long-haul flight, yes. 25 minutes door-to-door versus 3.5 hours by train. Many honeymoon packages include one-way helicopter; the return train trip is a lovely wind-down on day seven. Price is roughly CHF 5,000-6,000 one-way for the aircraft.
Dress code?
Smart-casual across the hotel. Sommet expects a jacket for men in the evening; elsewhere the Alpina is more relaxed than the Palace. Very informal by day. Pack one dressy dinner outfit per person for Sommet nights.
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