Top-tier Gstaad Chalet ExperienceN°001
Gstaad Region, Switzerland
Private pool
From $26,717 per night
The Gstaad Region is an exclusive corner of the Bernese Oberland where chic alpine villages, serious gastronomy and jet-set glamour share the Saanenland's meadows. It is also home ground: Smiling House is based in Gstaad, and our collection here — more than 180 chalets and villas across Gstaad, Saanen and Schönried — is the one we know street by street.
- More than 180 chalets and villas across Gstaad, Saanen and Schönried — our home region
- Dozens of restaurants, including several Michelin-starred tables
- Glacier 3000 and the world's highest alpine coaster
- Renowned spas at the Gstaad Palace and the Six Senses at The Alpina
- Year-round events from beach volleyball to the Hublot Polo Gold Cup
Known forJet-set ski village, luxury chalets, Michelin dining, Glacier 3000 and summer sport
Best time to visitDecember to March for skiing; June to September for hiking, golf and ballooning
Nearest airportGeneva (GVA); Zurich (ZRH) for long-haul; Saanen airfield for private aviation
Ideal forFamilies, groups and couples seeking luxury ski chalets and alpine privacy
Gstaad - Great Luxurious FarmhouseN°002
Gstaad Region, Switzerland
From $24,161 per night
Super private Luxury Chalet with Hotel facilitiesN°003
Gstaad Region, Switzerland
From $16,531 per night
Luxurious Alpine Flat With Hotel AmenitiesN°004
Gstaad Region, Switzerland
From $15,260 per night
Park Hotel Residence Luxurious Garden ApartmentN°005
Gstaad Region, Switzerland
From $12,685 per night
Elegant Alpine Chalet with Spa N°006
Gstaad Region, Switzerland
From $12,430 per night
182homes available
1–10bedrooms
up to 24guests
15with a pool
Gstaad Region in pictures
Events not to miss in Gstaad Region
- Late January to early February
Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad
A winter classical festival bringing leading soloists to the chapels and churches of the Saanenland. Music by candlelight after a day on the slopes.
- Early July
Swatch Beach Pro Gstaad
World-tour beach volleyball played on imported sand at 1,050 metres, one of the circuit's most loved stops. A festive, family-friendly week in the village.
- Mid July to early September
Gstaad Menuhin Festival
Founded by Yehudi Menuhin in 1957, this seven-week classical festival fills churches and the festival tent with world-class orchestras and soloists. The cultural heart of the Gstaad summer.
- August
Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad
High-goal polo against the backdrop of the Saanenland's meadows draws an elegant crowd each summer. Picnics and parades round out the weekend.
- September
Country Night Gstaad
International country-music stars have played this convivial village festival since 1989. A relaxed, boots-on close to the summer season.
Gstaad Region through the seasons
- Winter (December – March)
Discreet chalet season
Skiing across the Gstaad lifts and Glacier 3000, horse-drawn sleighs and the promenade's boutiques. The region's motto, come up, slow down, is truest in the snow.
- Spring (April – June)
Meadows in flower, mountains to yourself
Cowbells return to the pastures and waterfalls run full. A peaceful window for spa retreats and first hikes before the festival summer.
- Summer (July – August)
Festivals, polo and Alpine days
The Menuhin Festival, beach volleyball and polo alternate with hiking, e-biking and glacier excursions. Chalets with gardens come into their own.
- Autumn (September – November)
Golden light and Alpine traditions
The cattle descend from the alps in decorated processions and larches gild the valley. Crisp walking weather and quiet, cosy chalet evenings.
The Area and Luxury Chalets in the Gstaad Region
The Gstaad Region sits in the German-speaking Saanenland of the Bernese Oberland, a cluster of traditional villages framed by snow-capped peaks and emerald summer meadows. Gstaad itself remains a chic yet authentic village, its pedestrianised promenade lined with designer boutiques, jewellers, fine restaurants and chalet-style hotels. This is where Smiling House is headquartered, and it shows in the collection: chalets and villas across Gstaad, Saanen, Schönried and the surrounding hamlets, many with private wellness areas, log fires, generous living space and ski access. Along the GoldenPass line, Rossinière — just over the cantonal border in Vaud's Pays-d'Enhaut — keeps the vast timber Grand Chalet, once home to the painter Balthus. Gondolas climb from the valley villages to viewpoints and pistes, and your in-resort concierge arranges everything from private chefs to ski guides.
Things to Do in Winter
Winter is when the Gstaad Region shines. The linked ski area spreads across multiple sectors, from gentle nursery slopes to the glacier runs of Glacier 3000, suiting every level of skier and snowboarder. Beyond the downhill pistes, the region is celebrated for its extensive cross-country network, with both skating and classic tracks weaving through silent forests and valleys. Off the snow, try tobogganing, airboarding, snowshoeing or winter walking. Spa days are an institution here: the 1,800-square-metre Palace Spa at the Gstaad Palace and the Six Senses Spa at The Alpina Gstaad offer pools, hammams, treatment suites and fitness studios to revive tired legs after a day on the mountain.
Things to Do in Summer
When the snow recedes, the Gstaad Region becomes an outdoor playground. Hiking and mountain-biking trails climb from valley meadows to high alpine pastures, while golfers enjoy panoramic fairways and thrill-seekers head for river rafting. Hot-air ballooning is a regional signature — the neighbouring village of Château-d'Oex is famous for it — drifting silently over wildflower meadows and weathered chalets for a bird's-eye view of the Alps. Families gravitate to the Alpine Coaster at Glacier 3000, billed as the world's highest bobsleigh-style track. Long, mild evenings invite riverside walks, farm visits and tastings of the region's prized mountain cheeses.
Dining and Nightlife
Gstaad is a genuine gastronomic hub in the Swiss Alps. The region supports dozens of quality restaurants, several of them crowned with Michelin stars, alongside welcoming mountain huts serving hearty alpine fare and locally produced cheeses. Fondue and raclette by a roaring fire remain essential rituals. After dark, the village offers stylish bars with live music, fashionable DJ lounges and intimate clubs, all sharing the relaxed, international atmosphere that defines Gstaad. With a private chalet you can also dine in, and your concierge can secure sought-after tables or arrange a private chef for an evening at home.
When to Visit and Events
Peak ski season runs from December to March, with the festive period bringing a charming Christmas market of decorated chalets, local produce and glühwein. Summer, from June to September, is ideal for hiking, golf and ballooning, and hosts a prestigious events calendar. Early July sees the world's best beach volleyball teams compete on imported sand at the Swatch Beach Pro, and mid-July brings the Swiss Open ATP clay-court tennis tournament to the Roy Emerson Arena; the Hublot Polo Gold Cup follows in August. Booking a luxury chalet well ahead is wise around major events and school holidays, when the most desirable properties are reserved early.
Getting There
The Gstaad Region is well connected despite its alpine setting. Geneva Airport lies around two hours away by road and is the most common gateway for international visitors, Zurich serves wider long-haul connections, and the airfield at Saanen, minutes from Gstaad, handles private aviation. The scenic GoldenPass railway links Gstaad directly to Montreux on Lake Geneva and onward to Interlaken, making car-free travel genuinely pleasant. Within the region, mountain railways, post buses and ski shuttles connect the villages and lift stations. Your concierge can arrange private airport transfers, chauffeur services and chalet-to-piste logistics so arrival in the mountains feels effortless.