Every term when school finished my school pals went off for their glamorous family holidays… Barbados in the summer and Gstaad in the winter. My family always went to Wales and Cornwall. So when I was invited to Gstaad to stay at the The Alpina Gstaad, I couldn’t believe my luck.

Our journey to this magical hotel in the mountains began at Montreux where we boarded the beautiful, vintage Golden Pass train with emerald green upholstery and gold details.

When we arrived at the hotel the mist was still lingering over the tops of the mountains which made the view even more mystical and magical. The Alpina Gstaad, though extremely luxurious, is understated and unpretentious… the entrance is hidden within the mountains, a dark tunnel which opens out into a smart underground front door. Here we were greeted with refreshing drinks and cold flannels before being shown to our bedrooms.

The Alpina Gstaad opened in 2012, the first luxury hotel to be built in Gstaad for a century. It was built on the site of the old Grand Hotel Alpina, which was completely demolished to make way for the new building. Owners Jean Claude Mimran and Marcel Bach built the new hotel entirely from scratch employing the finest artisan to complete each section of the property. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the hotel interiors, which is made up almost entirely from centuries-old reclaimed wood – pine from the old farmhouses.

The rooms are decadent and comforting in equal measure. A mix of sensitively designed Swiss interiors, the highest quality modern amenities and an occasional antique piece of furniture. There were certain details I became particularly fond of during my three-day stay at The Alpina Gstaad… the hand-built natural stone fireplace is a lovely addition to the Junior Suites, the spacious bathroom with generously-sized Acqua di Palma toiletries, and the stunning pastoral view of the Gstaad countryside from my balcony.

As well as enjoying our own bedrooms we had a tour of some of the The Alpina Gstaad’s most impressive suites. Each is independently decorated with original artwork and extra little luxuries for added comfort.

The Panorama Suite has three bedrooms over two floors, a private spa, jacuzzi, fitness and massage area, while the Chalet Suite offers the ultimate privacy and is ideal for a family or larger group as it has its own dining and kitchen facilities.

The Six Senses spa is reason alone to visit The Alpina Gstaad. I can imagine those who aren’t keen to ski in the winter months could spend days here experiencing all the wondrous facilities and trying out the highly personalised treatments. We enjoyed a couple of days digital detox at the Alpina Gstaad spa, with Tibetan meditation & healing and an amazing Detox massage. I also had the opportunity to make good use of the epic pools (indoor and outdoor) and relax in the salt room.

The Alpina Gstaad has a wide range of fine culinary options… from Michelin-starred Japanese dining at Megu, to the innovative international cuisine at, also Michelin-starred, Sommet restaurant. So whether you feel like something light or a decadent four-course tasting menu, there is something on offer for everyone. Sommet was particularly memorable, a meal of beautiful and creative recipes which chef Martin Göschel had prepared. I also loved the all-day Sommet dining menu which included delicious homemade pastas and salad dishes.

The hotel can organise a range of memorable excursions for guests, and in the summer nothing can beat an afternoon trip to Lake Arnensee for paddleboarding and BBQ-ing. While we were out with the expert teacher navigating the waters, the Alpina Gstaad staff were setting up the wilderness BBQ in the most idyllic hidden spot. We feasted on steaks and corn on the cob, complete with gourmet sauces and condiments. The meal was accompanied by Swiss wine and craft beer, which we sipped as we watched the sun set over the stunning and still lake.

Gstaad is a tiny place to wander round, with chalet designer shops and cute cafes. It reminded me of a toy town with picturesque little houses all lined up in organised rows. In winter, smart visitors head into town for hot chocolate and ski accessories, in summer it presents a lovely opportunity to go for an afternoon stroll and coffee.

Each morning I woke feeling refreshed from the deep sleep and mountain air. We were fed with an elaborate feast of local specialities and international delights, from waffles and pancakes to eggs and pastries, freshly made fruit juices and strong coffee. Those who had over-eaten at dinner truly regretted it when the morning meal was revealed!

The Alpina Gstaad provided me with my first experience of the magical alpine world, and it was so special to stay at a hotel that so carefully combines Swiss tradition and thoughtful luxury. I can only dream of returning in winter when the season transforms the view to a snowy wonderland.

More information and book a stay at The Alpina Gstaad here.

The Alpina Gstaad is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with Preferred Hotels and Swiss Air.