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Sometimes all it takes is a weekend to completely switch off. That’s exactly what we experienced last weekend in the beautiful Saanenland near Gstaad. For a short break, we chose the ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel in Gstaad-Schönried – a hotel that has long been regarded as one of the most popular wellness hotels in the region.

 

With the culinary package, a spacious family room, plenty of time in the spa and views of the snow-capped Alps, our stay turned into the perfect wellness weekend.

 

The hotel: Alpine wellness at 1,200 metres

 

 

The ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel is situated on a sunny terrace above Gstaad and offers stunning views of the Saanenland and the surrounding Alps. The location alone ensures that you immediately feel yourself unwinding the moment you arrive. The hotel combines a classic Swiss chalet atmosphere with modern wellness luxury. Plenty of wood, warm colours and large panoramic windows create a cosy yet elegant atmosphere.

 

A few facts about the hotel:

• approx. 96 rooms and suites
• wellness area of around 3,700 m²
• located at an altitude of 1,200 m
• several restaurants and bars on-site
• one of the largest spa offerings in the Saanenland

 

I particularly loved the blend of a luxurious wellness hotel and a relaxed mountain atmosphere – it felt very warm and cosy. The location is also ideal for skiers, though I had to give the slopes a miss this time due to my pregnancy. Skis can be stored conveniently in the ski room.

 

Our Room – The Wellness Suite

 

 

We spent our wellness weekend in a spacious, two-storey room with a balcony – perfect if you’re looking for a bit more space and comfort. The room exudes classic chalet style: plenty of warm wood, light fabrics and harmonious colours create a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Thanks to the split-level design, the room felt particularly open and airy, with separate areas for parents and children that still allow for plenty of closeness.

 

 

A real highlight is the large balcony, which stretches across the entire width of the room and offers a stunning view of the surrounding Alps and the Saanenland. The master bedroom features a whirlpool bath beneath a starry sky with views of the mountain landscape, perfect for unwinding in the evening, and there is also a steam room to further enhance the wellness experience. As a particularly thoughtful gesture, a nursing pillow was provided for me as a pregnant woman.

 

 

The living area is spacious, featuring a cosy seating area and plenty of room for luggage, whilst the comfortable beds ensure a restful night’s sleep. Overall, the family room perfectly combines Alpine charm, luxury and a spacious layout, making a stay at the ERMITAGE a thoroughly relaxing experience.

 

 

My highlight: After a long day at the spa, it was absolutely lovely just to sit on the balcony and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Dining at the hotel – a treat from morning till night

 

 

A real highlight of our stay was the hotel’s dining concept, which offered food throughout the day and made our stay incredibly relaxing. The breakfast buffet alone was an experience in itself: fresh bread, a selection of regional cheeses, egg dishes, fruit and yoghurt – all lovingly presented. I was particularly taken with the pancakes; freshly baked and topped with fruit, they were the perfect start to the day. These were accompanied by freshly squeezed juices and a cosy chalet atmosphere.

 

 

Lunch was also a relaxed affair: a light salad buffet was on offer, which guests could enjoy at their leisure on the terrace. It was the perfect way to recharge your batteries after a walk or a morning at the spa.

 

 

In the afternoon, there was a cake buffet with a wide selection. The chocolate cake was to die for – moist, creamy and simply irresistible.

 

 

In the evening, we were treated to a multi-course dinner, where the kitchen combined regional produce with modern gourmet cuisine. Every dish was beautifully presented, freshly prepared and perfectly balanced in flavour. My absolute highlight was the dessert: on the second evening, there was even a dessert buffet with a chocolate fountain, which not only made the children’s eyes light up but also gave us adults pure delight.

Wellness area: 3,700 m² spa with saltwater pool

 

 

The wellness area at the ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel is undoubtedly the heart of the establishment. Spanning some 3,700 square metres – making it one of the largest in the region – it offers guests a true paradise of relaxation and rejuvenation. Particularly noteworthy is the Alpine saltwater bath, one of the first of its kind in the Alps, which offers an unrivalled wellness experience with its unique combination of saltwater, warmth and Alpine flair. Here, you can unwind for hours, swim in peace or enjoy the soothing effects of the sauna, steam bath and panoramic loungers.

 

 

Pool

Highlights include:

• Indoor and outdoor saltwater pools at 35 °C
• Large outdoor sports pool
• Jacuzzi area
• Panoramic sunbathing areas

Swimming outdoors in the warm saltwater, surrounded by the Alps, was the absolute highlight of my wellness weekend.

 

Sauna-World

 

The spa area also offers:

• around 10 different saunas and steam rooms
• a separate ladies’ spa area
• several relaxation rooms with waterbeds
• ice fountains and cooling-off areas

 

Activities

 

In addition to traditional wellness facilities, we also offer:

• Massages and beauty treatments
• Fitness room
• Daily exercise classes such as yoga or aqua aerobics
• Squash hall, outdoor tennis courts
• Guided walks in the region

 

 

So you can easily spend a long weekend here without having to leave the hotel.

 

My personal conclusion

 

 

Our weekend at the ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel in Gstaad-Schönried was exactly the break I’d been hoping for – luxurious, relaxing and yet warm and welcoming. We felt welcome from the moment we arrived: every single member of staff was incredibly friendly, attentive and professional, from reception and housekeeping to the restaurant service. I was particularly impressed by how much the team took my pregnancy into account – from the nursing pillow provided in the room to small gestures such as offering alternatives at dinner.

 

The combination of spacious, cosy chalet-style rooms, the huge spa area with saltwater pool, steam room and whirlpool bath, the fantastic mountain scenery around Gstaad and the excellent, exquisite food makes the hotel a perfect retreat. The culinary package with a multi-course dinner was a delight every evening, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented. Incidentally, the corn salad is world-class, as are the delicious cakes in the afternoon.

 

If you’re planning a wellness weekend in Switzerland and value top-notch service, high-quality facilities, fine dining and personalised care, I can wholeheartedly recommend the ERMITAGE. Everything here is just right – from the warmth of the staff and the comfortable rooms to the stunning spa experience. A place where you can leave everyday life completely behind and be thoroughly pampered.