NEW KDHamptons Travel Diary: KDH In Magical Gstaad

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I'm so ready to put my snowball making skills away until next year!

 

 

The KDHamptons Travel Diaries are always a big off-season hit for our readers. I love hearing from Hamptonites who are still jet setting around the globe. My personal travel schedule is winding down with the high Hamptons season fast approaching…..just one more trip booked to Ireland in May, and then I will be firmly embedded in the East End for some summer fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In February, I flew to Gstaad, Switzerland for my annual ski trip with my sister, Kim [below], her husband Steve, and my 5-year old godson Brady for one last snowball fight of the winter season. The Hopkins clan lives in Abu Dhabi, so meeting in Europe makes our travel journeys a little easier. We stayed at the majestic Gstaad Palace [above], one of my top three favorite hotels in the world.

 

 

My sister Kim and her husband Steve, and son Brady

 

 

The palace has picture perfect views. Even if it's chilly on the mountaintop, the sun keeps you warm enough to dine al fresco for lunch.

 

 

Built in 1913, the Gstaad Palace is nestled on a hill overlooking the bucolic village of Gstaad, and boasts breathtaking views of the majestic Swiss Alps. When preparing for a Gstaad holiday, you must be sure to bring lots of glamour, dancing shoes, cheese appetite, and your apres ski “A” game. The Palace offers incredible fine dining in five different restaurants, with amazing live entertainment every night in the chic chalet lounge, and dancing at the famous GreenGo nightclub, where one of the dance floors descends from the ceiling and hovers over the pool~ natch!

 

 


 

 

 

 

I love Swiss architecture, colors and charm.

 

 

Our favorite restaurants are: The Olden Hotel, Gildo’s [which is in the hotel], and Wally’s for the best burgers and fries. I also love the fondue restaurant at the Palace on a snowy night.

 

 

 

 

 

Brady breaks out his snowflake dance….

 

 

 

 

 

We typically spend the mornings skiing, and then stroll around the village for a shop, play in the snow with Brady building snow men & forts, and share savory meals. Swiss people are so charming, sweet and hospitable. The whole setting feels like you have stepped into a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look up! That's me.

 

 

In the morning I like to take snowy walks along the river where I would see this family of deer

 

 

We always make time for workouts at the Palace Spa, and some apres ski massage. The stunning spa includes eight treatment rooms, a Private Spa Suite, saunas and steam baths, relaxation areas with mountain views, an indoor pool & an outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, a state-of-the-art gym, a Pilates Studio and a fabulous hammam experience [which is great to do as a couple].

 

 

 

The family that spas together…..

 

 

 

To bring the mountain feeling inside, over 50 tons of rock were cut into small pieces and assembled into a stunning wall that lines the spa. The comfy lounge with giant firepit is my favorite spot for afternoon ginger tea and a disco nap.

 

 

The jacuzzi starts inside the spa and wraps out to the mountain air and views.

 

 

 

Riding the new resistance bike in the palace pool is a great workout for cardio and legs, but gentle on the knees.

 

Wouldn't you love to transport this room to your Hamptons home?

 

 

The Palace does a great job planning fun activities for the children of hotel guests. Brady hit up the Green-go nightclub for the kids “day disco” party [below] where they had a magician, DJ, balloon maker, and a feast you would find at Willy Wonka’s factory. He was in heaven.