In Gstaad Glam, the author shows us why this quiet European town is a favorite of many.
In the southwest corner of Switzerland, nestled among the snowy mountains of the Swiss Alps is the
picturesque, upscale resort town of Gstaad. Teeming with exclusive ski clubs and a fur coat-clad jet set, it has become a destination of choice for its luxurious comforts.
This is particularly exhibited in the luxurious, family-owned Gstaad Palace, the members only restaurant The Eagle, and the high-fashion boutiques that line the town’s main promenade.
The Palace was of particular interest to Sir Roger Moore, the late English actor who played James Bond from 1973 to 1985, starting from Live and Let Die and ending with A View to a Kill. Over time, the Moores have come to not only be fixtures there, but have come to epitomize Gstaad-living.
“This was my father Roger’s favourite place to go with me,” shares Geoffrey Moore, who studied at Institut Le Rosey there, in an interview with The Daily Mail of the Palace. “It was our elegant local hang-out where we went for coffee and drinks, and where his last movie The Saint, which I produced, was shot.”
The restaurateur responsible for the Hush Mayfair, Geoffrey shares in that same story that his father knew the family who owns the Palace, and “other stars like Elizabeth Taylor came here.
Traditions and treasures
He shares many more memories in Gstaad Glam, a new tome he wrote for luxury publisher Assouline. Featuring 200 illustrations over 300 pages and measuring 10 by 13 inches, the book shows how the former farming town became the hideaway of the rich and powerful after the great fire of 1898.
What continues to draw celebrities—which included the likes of Madonna, Grace Kelly, Stavros Niarchos, and Julie Andrews over the years—here might be its combination of opulence and quiet. And, while glitz and glamour are in abundance, local tradition and culture are always close by.
Whether it’s in the Pinte Bar at Hotel Olden that exudes authentic charm or a farm on the outskirts of town showcasing a quaint, pastoral lifestyle, this beautiful volume showcases Gstaad’s elegant traditions and unexpected treasures.
There is no shortage of amusements here. It is nature at its finest that yearns to be explored. With 124 miles of slopes, visitors can participate in skiing, snowboarding and sledding in the winter months and hiking, biking, polo and golf in the summer.
Gstaad’s calendar is packed with can’t-miss events including the Swiss Open, hot-air balloon festival and Menuhin Festival of music. And after a long day of hitting the slopes and experiencing all Gstaad has to offer, cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate from the decades-old Charly’s, the perfect spot to people-watch along the Promenade.
Gstaad Glam will be released by November 2021.
Photos courtesy of Assouline. For more information, visit assouline.com.
