The Alpina Gstaad Named 101 Luxury Leisure Hotel of the Year 2025
The Alpina Gstaad has been named 101 Luxury Leisure Hotel of the Year 2025 by Die 101 besten Hotels Schweiz. This five-star superior hotel blends Swiss tradition with modern sophistication. Nadine Friedli is the General Manager and directs the hotel with dedication and a commitment to exceptional service.
Carsten K. Rath, publisher of Die 101 besten Hotels Schweiz ranking, praised The Alpina Gstaad with these words:
«The Alpina Gstaad embodies unpretentious luxury, combining lightness and exclusivity in an outstanding way – a masterful achievement that rightfully earns it the title of Luxury Leisure Hotel of the Year 2025.»
This award not only highlights the exceptional experiences offered by The Alpina Gstaad, but also demonstrates the impactful leadership of General Manager Nadine Friedli. With passion and fresh energy, she brings a personal touch to the hotel and focuses on genuine, heartfelt hospitality.
Nadine Friedli emphasises that this recognition reflects the dedication of her entire team. In her opinion, the success of The Alpina Gstaad is based on the shared commitment of all employees, their passion for excellence, and their drive to constantly redefine the boundaries of hospitality.
A Passion for Personal Hospitality
Above all, it is the exceptional service that sets this alpine hotel apart in the world of luxury hospitality. “Our philosophy is based on authentic and heartfelt hospitality, personal attention, and a passion for excellence,” says General Manager Nadine Friedli.
«We create a place where our guests can not only relax but also experience unforgettable moments and feel truly at home.»
New Experiences for Lasting Memories
The dedication of every team member goes far beyond the ordinary - and that’s what defines true luxury.
The Alpina Gstaad also continually introduces new initiatives:
from engaging activities and events, to innovative biohacking and regeneration treatments at the Six Senses Spa, art workshops with renowned artists, and musical highlights.
One constant is the hotel’s commitment to sustainability: EarthCheck certifies The Alpina Gstaad annually for its environmental and social responsibility - in 2022, it became the first Swiss company to receive Gold Certification.
The award as 101 Luxury Leisure Hotel of the Year 2025 recognizes the tireless efforts of Nadine Friedli and the entire team in making The Alpina Gstaad a place of inspiration, well-being, and unparalleled hospitality.
A YEAR FULL OF HIGHLIGHTS: A CONVERSATION WITH NADINE FRIEDLI
Ms. Friedli, your first year as General Manager has clearly been a success. How would you describe the year, and what moments stand out to you most?
It was a year full of highlights. On the one hand, 2024 marked the most successful financial year in the history of The Alpina Gstaad. On the other, we were able to implement a number of meaningful improvements for our team members. These included a new staff canteen with a modern dining concept, a new gym for employees, and a complimentary rental car available for team use.
We also introduced a range of new experiences for our guests. One notable initiative was the Creative Summer - a special programme in which, every weekend, an artist offered drawing classes or a photographer demonstrated how to take outstanding pictures using a Leica camera. In the winter, we celebrated the opening of our new restaurant, Monti, which has already been awarded 15 Gault Millau points. In addition, we placed a stronger focus on high-quality music, securing exclusive performances this winter by artists including Bastian Baker.
What values are most important to you in your leadership role, and how do you create an environment where your team can thrive and deliver service excellence?
It is very important to me that our team members feel motivated and are given plenty of space to contribute their own ideas – and to see them realised. I also enjoy investing in our people. For example, I recently promoted two individuals to Head of Department roles, even though they had never held such positions before.
Developing and supporting talent within the organisation is something I care deeply about. After all, service excellence can only be achieved with a team that truly identifies with The Alpina Gstaad.
That is why I place a strong emphasis on management workshops and high-quality training for the entire team.
How do you combine tradition with innovation and creativity to offer guests truly unique experiences?
That is one of The Alpina Gstaad’s greatest strengths. Our guests feel the tradition especially through the premium materials used throughout the hotel – from intricate Découpage artworks, some of which are over 100 years old, to the authentic alpine architecture that reflects the heritage of the region.
At the same time, we are very innovative and creative in crafting unforgettable guest experiences. Each season, we develop new and surprising concepts – from culinary highlights to exceptional activities and tailor- made experiences. In this way, we blend tradition with fresh ideas, continuously reinterpreting what The Alpina Gstaad can be.
What is your personal vision for the future of The Alpina Gstaad?
My top priority is to preserve the spirit and authenticity of the hotel - while also continuously evolving it. I want to expand our offerings, for example with an Activity Concierge who curates personalised experiences for our guests, as well as other innovative services that make The Alpina Gstaad even more distinctive.
A key part of my vision is fostering a strong, dedicated team. Because only with passionate and motivated employees can we set new standards together and create truly unforgettable moments for our guests.
About The Alpina Gstaad
The Alpina Gstaad is a luxury hotel with 56 rooms and suites, located slightly above the charming village center of Gstaad on a 20,000 m2 park estate. The hotel’s Six Senses Spa offers pure relaxation with 12 treatment rooms, a Himalayan salt grotto, indoor and outdoor pools with Jacuzzi, and various biohacking devices. The Falstaff Spa Guide 2024 awarded it 98 out of 100 points, naming it the Best Classic Spa of the Year.
Since opening in December 2012, The Alpina Gstaad has received numerous awards, including the Prix Bienvenu from Switzerland Tourism and American Express.
The year 2024 was marked by exceptional recognition: in May, the hotel was named «Luxury Hideaway of the Year 2024» by the publication Die 101 besten Hotels: Schweiz, Österreich, Südtirol und Deutschland. That same month, it was ranked 6th best holiday hotel in Switzerland by SonntagsZeitung and Le Matin Dimanche. Host Nadine Friedli was honored as «Rising Star of the Year 2024» by the Karl Wild Hotel Rating Switzerland.
In the BILANZ Hotel Rating 2024, The Alpina Gstaad placed third in the Best Holiday Hotels category. It was also the only hotel in the canton of Bern to be awarded three Michelin Keys, a new distinction introduced in 2024 to recognize the most exceptional hotels. The Alpina Gstaad is one of only nine Swiss hotels to receive this prestigious honor. Additionally, it claimed the top spot in the Falstaff Hotel Guide 2024, achieving a perfect score of 100 points.
The hotel’s culinary offerings include several outstanding restaurants: Martin Göschel (18 Gault Millau points, 1 Michelin star), Monti (15 Gault Millau points), Swiss Stübli, Alpina Lounge, Alpina Terrace, and the Japanese restaurant Megu (16 Gault Millau points).
Since May 2024, the restaurant Sommet by Martin Göschel - now renamed simply Martin Göschel - has been a member of the Grandes Tables Suisses, a prestigious association of top chefs from across Switzerland.
The Alpina Gstaad is a proud member of the «Preferred Hotels & Resorts» Legend Collection, the Virtuoso luxury travel network, and the Swiss Deluxe Hotels association. It is certified annually by EarthCheck for its commitment to sustainability and, in 2022, became the first Swiss business to receive the Gold Certification.