Switzerland
While Gstaad’s still an old-school place with long-etched family connections, fresh arrivals can scrape their boots on the welcome mat. And in a town where, until recently, diners could be admonished for wearing shirt-sleeves, a new informality has been embraced. The Huus (not in Gstaad, actually, but in neighboring Saanen) opened at the end of 2016, a chalet-style huus of the type insisted upon in these parts; but inside there’s a refreshingly open-plan frame of mind. A hodgepodge of sofas, chairs, and stools create little islets of sociability in the sprawling lobby-living space, with a well-stocked bar on one side and box-shelves of interesting books and objects rising up on the other. Bright pendants give pops of color, as do fabrics in heathery purples and oranges, while river stone, slate, and pebbles add more texture to the ubiquitous wooden panelling. Family suites are kitted out with cool Mammut rucksacks and hiking blankets, with balconies for mountain gazing—the view, across rooftops to the snaggle-toothed, Eiger-like peak, private planes buzzing down on the valley airstrip, should come with its own string-soaring John Barry theme.
Switzerland is flat-out expensive, so the sheer amount of complimentary activities here is a massive draw: from e-bike tours (actually cycling up the hill will make your calves bulge like Popeye’s), abseiling and sledding to fondue parties, swimming, and, amazingly, ski tuition and kit for the under 10s, making this a great choice for those first, faltering lessons. At the very least swing in the gondola up the flanks of Rellerli, where there’s a trampoline, curious cows, and a metal-sided luge snaking down the mountainside—a whole lot of fun. Back at the hotel, small feet will soon learn to navigate from the pool and junior spa to the games room or play-chalet. Food is taken seriously here, with cloches removed to reveal lavender-smoked veal or red mullet, and arancini or sole fillet for kids (there’s also a separate dining space for younger, messier ones). This is a generous, ready-for-all-occasions den for a summer or winter Alpine fix.
Price Rooms from around $526 per night