Hotels in Gstaad

Gstaad is not known for its inexpensive hotels. Prices soar in the winter. When business is slow, many of the hotels close; the dates of these closings can vary from year to year.

Life in an Igloo

Being cold is the "hot" new trend in Switzerland. Igloo Village, Rotzbergstrasse 15, CH-6362 Stansstad, Gstaad (www.iglu-dor.com tel. 041/61-22-728; www.iglu-dor.com), caters to Eskimo wannabes who can overnight here in this ice box. Igloos suitable for 2 to 6 guests are rented. Of course, to live in igloo you should show up prepared, with warm clothing, soft boots or moonboots, long underwear, even swimming gear and flip-flops for the sauna or Jacuzzi. If you like to make love in the cold, there is a romantic suite, including a private whirlpool bath. The charge is 100F to 120F per adult or 80F to 95F per person for ages up to 20. This rate includes dinner in the adjoining hotel bar, which is adjacent to the Igloo Bar, plus breakfast. If you stay here, it is almost guaranteed that you will be the first on the piste in the morning.