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Review: Ultima Gstaad, Switzerland

Where to enjoy the chalet season

By Harriet Compston | 2 years ago

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Harriet Compston takes us on a trip through the Swiss Alps, where we find Ultima Gstaad.

Review: Ultima Gstaad, Switzerland

Set in the middle of bucolic Alpine pasture, this trio of achingly stylish chalets fits right in with super glamorous Gstaad. It all starts with the dazzling seven-metre Baccarat chandelier illuminating the lobby. Then there’s the Schimmel glass grand piano beneath – one of only two in the world (Alicia Keys owns the other). Not forgetting the abundance of velvets, furs, leathers and silk at every turn, custom-made by the likes of Louis Vuitton and Hermès.

However, despite its cosmopolitan interiors, Ultima properties are also known for being rooted in their surroundings. Its Gstaad outpost is no different. Made from local wood and stone, it’s a clever mix of Swiss traditional meets contemporary extravagance. The 11 sumptuous suites and six residences are elegant yet cosy. The beds are gigantic, surrounded by velvets sofas, ivory upholstery and bronze fireplaces. The colossal bathrooms are equally impressive. Balconies max out the peak-filled view. A butler is on hand 24/7.

The restaurant entices with its exquisite Italian cuisine – created using local produce. Try the zingy fruit and vegetable ceviche with avocado sorbet, followed by the wild sea bass. The meat dishes are also fantastic but the rich cheese fondue is a must-order. Innovative cocktails beforehand in the bar, which houses a rare collection of scotch, are a great way to kick off the evening. Not stopping there. They have plans to do a restaurant pop-up on Gstaad’s designer-lined promenade, following on from the triumph of last year’s pop-up of the Peruvian restaurant, COYA.

The ravishing spa is the jewel in the crown. Ultima counts ‘wellness’ as being at the ‘core’ of their DNA – and the whopping Saharan black marble haven with its five treatment rooms does indeed have everything, from a hammam to a Finnish sauna to an excellent fitness room. The snow shower makes for an invigorating start to the day before choosing between one of the many pools. There’s also the Aesthetic Clinic, hailing from Geneva, which offers the latest medical treatments right down to the ground-breaking fat-freezing procedure, Cryolipolysis.

Gstaad is a little paradise any time of the year. Go in the summer and wind your way through grassy meadows, up into the mountains, perhaps taking a dip in one of the glistening lakes. In winter, Ultima’s Ski Butler sets you up for the day. It is the closest hotel in Gstaad to the mountain cableways (only 100 metres away) and on the road to Glacier 3000 – a snowy playground of winter sports. For those wanting to take a break from the slopes, go for a horse and carriage ride, hunker down in the hotel’s private cinema or enjoy the new games room.

Building on their success, Ultima are expanding with a new private chalet, Ultima Gstaad Promenade, which will be bang in the centre of the resort. Due to open in winter 2022, it’s just another reason why Ultima deserves a standing ovation.