A Winter in Pink: Gstaad Palace Kicks Off the Season in Vibrant Style

Exactly 50 years ago, Peter Sellers as Inspector Jacques Clouseau – clumsy as he was – stumbled through the revolving door of the Gstaad Palace. The well-known film also celebrated its European premiere at the hotel above Gstaad, where most of the film was shot. It was Peter Sellers himself who brought the Palace and its legendary GreenGo nightclub onto the big international cinema screen. General Manager Andrea Scherz still recalls how he stood by the entrance for hours as a six-year-old, watching Blake Edwards and his stars with fascination: 'It is perhaps one of my most impressive childhood memories and something you don't experience every day. Being present when such a great film is being shot and practically on your doorstep. 50 years later, the film has lost none of its greatness and humour.' To mark the anniversary, 'The Return of the Pink Panther' will be shown twice this winter season in the Salle Baccarat at the Gstaad Palace, on December 22, 2025, and January 19, 2026. This cinematic highlight is a must for hotel guests as well as external Pink Panther enthusiasts.

A Culinary Winter Journey The second major leading star of the upcoming winter season is the completely renovated and redesigned main restaurant with the memorable name Le Grand. The newly designed menu is also ready – and it offers a fine selection of dishes – ranging from alpine-style risotto to trendy poke bowls and Simmental Tomahawk. Service à table remains the restaurant's speciality and is greatly appreciated by guests, whether freshly carved salmon or film-ready spaghetti al Gildo.

A special evening is celebrated at the Gstaad Palace on Christmas Eve. On December 24, a festive Christmas atmosphere prevails in the Lobby Bar – with live music and a stylishly decorated Christmas tree that even made it to the current TV documentary by Swiss Television SRF. The Christmas dinner starts at 7 p.m. The Palace New Year's Eve party is under the theme 'Vintage Circus', transforming the house into a ballroom from the early 20th century: an evening that lets guests indulge in nostalgia, in a place where time stands still for a night.

The new year starts off relaxed at the Gstaad Palace with the legendary Seafood Brunch – also a bestseller, unique to Gstaad. Those who miss the first Seafood Brunch have the opportunity to make up for it every Sunday in February. Other highlights are the Marinara-Style Mussels & Fries every Wednesday at Gildo’s Ristorante. Culinary delights will not be short on love either. For this, Gstaad Palace invites guests to the Valentine’s Dinner: A carefully composed menu, accompanied by the best champagne, makes the candlelit tête- à-tête unforgettable.

Outdoor and Indoor: Gstaad Winter in All Its Facets Especially for its guests, the Gstaad Palace offers a selection of winter wow moments. The tranquillity of the wintery Saanenland is best discovered on a snowshoe hike. Out of the ordinary is also a helicopter flight over the snow-capped peaks from Wildhorn to Videmanette, also known as Rüeblihorn among locals. Particularly adventurous is the freeride fun in untouched powder snow – almost like in the Rocky Mountains. For relaxation after a day in the snow, the Palace Spa provides – with a sauna, whirlpool under the starry sky, or with a cup of tea by the warming fireplace. Those who care for their health can book the Gstaad Palace Signature Wellness Activity Programme. The offer focuses on longevity and includes two sequences: a short workout with a private trainer, followed by 10 minutes in the Himalayan sauna and a cold shower. The programme is completed with a Cellgym session and a lymphatic massage.

Winter Sounds for Every Taste And then there are the musical highlights at the Gstaad Palace: On Christmas Eve, the Ensemble Scherzo enchants with their classical masterpieces on the balalaika. A highlight on New Year's Eve is the entry of the Treichler Club Gsteig. Right at midnight, the men and women literally ring in the new year with the large cowbells. During the Seafood Brunch in February, the local Andreas Kolly plays his unmistakable folk music tunes. Also in February, on the 8th and 22nd, the music style is Dixieland. 'The Dixieland Bulls Band' returns to the Gstaad Palace and delights with a touch of New Orleans at Oberbort.

Winter Highlights to Note:

- 'The Return of the Pink Panther': Hollywood glamour mixed with Saanenland charm. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, the Gstaad Palace shows the 1975 Hollywood classic twice in the Salle Baccarat. On Monday, December 22, 2025, and Monday, January 19, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- A Palace Christmas: A magical Christmas evening in the heart of the Swiss Alps – December 24, from 7:00 p.m. at Le Grand, Le Grill & Bar du Grill.
- New Year's Eve 'Vintage Circus': On December 31, 2025, the Gstaad Palace transforms into a place like in the early 20th century. The aperitif starts at 8:00 p.m. in the Lobby Bar and GreenGo, followed by an exquisite dinner from 9:30 p.m.
- Seafood Brunch: On January 1, 2026 – including live music with 'The Squires' (also every Sunday in February 2026).
- Sammy’s Kids Programme: Throughout the season, children have plenty to experience: for instance, an afternoon full of fairy tales, including live meetings with the fairy tale characters. During a handicraft workshop, they create their own Christmas decorations. And of course, baking a fine Zopf, the typical Swiss Sunday bread, in the Palace kitchen is not to be missed.
- Valentine’s 'Eve' Dinner: An evening full of romance by candlelight, gourmet menu, accompanied by the best champagne.

Media contact Gstaad Palace
Anna Siroka
Executive Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing
Tel: +41 33 748 54 01
Email: pr@palace.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher.