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The Alpina Gstaad or Ultima Gstaad?
The Alpina Gstaad and Ultima Gstaad are both five-star superior hotels outside the village centre, both built in chalet style, and both include a shuttle into Gstaad. Each has a spa with an indoor pool. The real difference is what kind of stay they are built for. The Alpina is a full hotel of 56 rooms with two restaurants, a kids' club and a Six Senses spa. Ultima is far smaller: 11 suites and 6 private residences in three linked chalets on Gsteigstrasse, at the edge of the village.
The Alpina suits couples and families with young children who want a programme for the children, dinner in the house at Megu or Monti, and pools inside and out. Ultima suits families or groups of friends who want to share a residence with its own kitchen, fireplace and staff, and couples who value privacy over a busy hotel. Ultima's hotel site gives no kids' programme, and its opening dates and winter restaurant for 2026/27 are not yet published.
Gstaad · 5-star superior
The Alpina Gstaad
A five-star chalet hotel above Gstaad with a Six Senses spa and a 25 m pool, for couples and families.
Choose it if you want a full hotel: a kids’ club, two 16-point restaurants and pools inside and out.
Gstaad · 5-star superior
Ultima Gstaad
Seventeen suites and private residences in three timber chalets on the edge of Gstaad, for privacy-minded groups and families.
Choose it if you want 17 rooms and residences with their own kitchens on the edge of the village.
Side by side
| Fact | The Alpina Gstaad | Ultima Gstaad |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Gstaad | Gstaad |
| Classification | 5-star superior | 5-star superior |
| Rooms | 56 | 17 |
| Skiing | Hotel shuttle to the lifts | Hotel shuttle to the lifts |
| Pool | Indoor and outdoor pools | Indoor pool |
| Spa | Spa | Spa |
| Kids’ club | Yes | No |
| Gault&Millau 2027 | Megu 16, Monti 16 | None |
| Drive to Glacier 3000 | 23 min | 19 min |
| Dinner | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Dogs | Welcome | Not confirmed |
| Season | Winter season from 11 December | Seasonal |
| Book through | Expedia or the hotel | Expedia or the hotel |
Drive times are routed without traffic or snow. Checked October 2026.
Where they differ
Rooms and size
The Alpina Gstaad has 56 rooms and suites, every one with a private terrace. Ultima Gstaad has 17 units in all: 11 suites and 6 private residences spread across three timber chalets. The residences have their own kitchens, bronze fireplaces and staff, which makes Ultima closer to a private chalet with hotel service than to a classic hotel.
Food
The Alpina Gstaad has Megu, Japanese, and Monti, Italian sharing plates, each with 16 points in Gault&Millau 2027, plus a Swiss Stübli. Ultima Gstaad includes à la carte breakfast with every stay, and its dining changes with the seasons: last winter brought a Zuma pop-up, but the plan for 2026/27 has not been announced.
Spa and pools
The Alpina Gstaad has the Six Senses Spa with a 25 m indoor pool, a hammam, plunge pools and a heated outdoor pool in the gardens. Ultima Gstaad has a 15 m indoor pool, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, an outsized timber hot tub outside, a sauna and a steam room. The spa, the cinema and valet parking are included at Ultima.
Families
The Alpina Gstaad runs the Tree House Club for children, with a weekly programme and under-4s accompanied. Ultima Gstaad's own site gives no kids' programme, though the Gstaad tourism listing mentions babysitting and childcare on request. For families, Ultima's appeal is space in a residence rather than activities.
Questions
Does Ultima Gstaad have a kids' club like The Alpina?
No kids' programme appears on Ultima Gstaad's own site; the Gstaad tourism listing mentions babysitting and childcare on request. The Alpina Gstaad has the Tree House Club, with a weekly programme for children.
When does Ultima Gstaad open for winter 2026/27?
Ultima Gstaad has not yet published its winter 2026/27 opening dates, so confirm before planning a December trip. The Alpina Gstaad opens on 11 December 2026 and closes on 7 March 2027.
Other comparisons
Sources: thealpinagstaad.ch, thealpinagstaad.ch, thealpinagstaad.ch, thealpinagstaad.ch, thealpinagstaad.ch, ultimacollection.com, ultimacollection.com, ultimacollection.com.