If your idea of heaven is snow-capped mountains and blissing out in the mountain air, The Alpina Gstaad is ticking all the boxes for an icy escape. For snow-seekers, the permanent glaciers of the Swiss Alps provide a beautiful backdrop – and the resort itself has perfect pools, spa suites and buckets of awards in everything from Michelin-starred cuisine to stellar customer service to fulfil all your holistic health needs. We’re beating the winter blues and checking into the resort for a closer look…
Location
Located in South West Switzerland, The Alpina Gstaad is situated within driving distance of Bern (1.5 hours), Zurich (3 hours) and Geneva (2 hours), all of which have international airports. If you’re keen to take the scenic route, jump on a train which follows the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway Line through beautiful Alpine valleys, mountains and local villages. Situated in the Oberbort area of Gstaad, the resort is surrounded by scenic snow-capped peaks and rolling green hills.
Accommodation
Home to 56 sophisticated suites, the accommodation at The Alpina Gstaad reflects the resort’s ‘new classic’ design philosophy. There are seven room types including, ‘Deluxe Rooms’, ‘Junior Suites’, ‘Deluxe Suites’, ‘Grand Luxe Suites’, ‘Chalet Suites’, ‘Panorama Suites’ and ‘The Living Art Room’. Distinctly modern with warm wood touches, rooms reflect the authentic Alpine style and pay homage to the region’s artisan heritage. Natural stone fireplaces, private balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the stunning surrounding mountains, all remind you that you’re in the European countryside.
Food Programme
Served in its three stylish restaurants, the culinary offerings at The Alpina are of gourmet standard. Not everyone who stays at the resort is there for a healthy holiday, so although there is a ‘Detox Delight’ menu for those who wish to cleanse, there is also lots of tempting (not-so-healthy) meals and a huge selection of wines on offer. In other words, practising self-discipline may be challenging when you’re faced with a Michelin star tasting menu, Japanese haute cuisine and an array of classic Swiss dishes that revolve around cheese. That said, the resort has a unique ‘healthy bar’ concept, in which you can request to have your mini bar filled with wholesome, nutritious nibbles instead of the usual snack food, to keep your healthy eating plan on track.
Treatment Programme
Inspired by Asian wellness traditions and its Alpine surroundings, the treatment programme at The Alpina revolves around the resort’s exclusive Six Senses Spa. Focussing on a holistic approach, the resort’s wellness centre is home to a thermal hydrotherapy circuit (including multiple indoor/outdoor pools and Jacuzzis), Turkish Hamman for steaming, saunas, experience showers and a high-tech fitness centre.
Comprehensive wellness screenings are available in which key physiological biomarkers of health (including body composition, metabolism, oxygen distribution, heart function and blood circulation) are measured to determine overall health. Complimented by a collection of personalised wellness programmes which include ‘Full Potential’, ‘Sleep & Resilience’, ‘Trim & Fit’, and ‘Mountain Detox’, along with exercise classes such as yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi, the resort’s treatment menu covers all wellbeing bases.
The Alpina also runs seasonal wellness retreats including boot camps, Tibetan healing packages and silent retreats that span one week. Renowned therapist, Antonis Sarris (who is considered one of the world’s best Tibetan Medicine Amchi-Naturopaths), is the spa’s head practitioner: if you want to experience something extraordinary, book in for a ‘Kunye’ massage, some chakra balancing healing or a singing bowls session with Antonis.
Results
Expect to feel…like you’ve walked onto the set of ‘The Sound of Music’, replete with an opulent mansion and snow-capped mountain backdrop.
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