Hotels & Chalets · Our pick in the mountains
ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel
The first saltwater pool in the Alps · In depth
About ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel
The ERMITAGE stands at 1,200 metres on the sunny terrace of Schönried, near the Horneggli lift. Its spa covers about 3,700 m², with indoor and outdoor saltwater pools filled with natural brine, an outdoor sports pool, a sauna world and a ladies’ spa; the rooms are individually furnished in wood, with wide balconies.
Schönried’s wellness hotel
The ERMITAGE sits at 1,200 metres in Schönried, a few minutes from Gstaad, on the sunny terrace of the Saanenland. It describes itself as authentic chalet cosiness meeting the world of Alpine wellness, and it was here that the first saltwater pool in the Alps opened.
The bathing world
The indoor and outdoor saltwater pools are filled with natural brine drawn from up to 400 metres deep at Schweizerhalle, with a salt content, the hotel says, roughly like the Mediterranean. They are kept at 35 °C, with massage jets, a standing whirlpool and bubble loungers. Beside them, the outdoor sports pool is fed by Schönried spring water, measures 17 by 10 metres and is heated to 28–29 °C in summer and 31 °C in winter, so you can swim lengths whatever the weather. The pools open daily from 7.30am to 9pm and are included in the room rate.
With the first saltwater pool in the Alps, the ERMITAGE set an early milestone for Alpine wellness, in the hotel’s words.
The sauna world
The sauna world opens daily from noon to 9pm. There is a panorama sauna at 90 °C with a view (infusions at 4.30pm and 6.30pm), the Schnapsbrennerei sauna built around an old distillery still, an aroma steam bath, a herbal sauna with infrared, a quartzite brine steam grotto, a Swiss stone pine sanarium and an amethyst grotto. The sauna area is a mixed, textile-free zone; teenagers aged 16–18 may use it with an adult. There is a separate Ladies’ Spa, and the Chouflisalp relaxation room has its own terrace.
Rooms and suites
Rooms are furnished in wood, with balconies, panoramic windows and soundproofing. The suites include the Eggli Suite (45–50 m²) and the Wellness Suite (65 m²) over the park, and two family suites, the Hornberg (80 m²) and the Horneggli with kitchen (87 m²).
Eating and drinking
Half board is Alpine-Mediterranean, with regional produce and homemade pasta, under chef Marius Kinsler. The ERMITAGE Stuben is kept for hotel guests, the Fondue Spycher serves classic fondue in winter, and the One Million Stars Bar closes the evening. The hotel is also an official partner of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy.
Our advice: book a park-view suite, swim in the outdoor brine pool after dark, and time your sauna for the 6.30pm panorama infusion.
Why it's on our list
- About 3,700 m² of spa
- Indoor and outdoor brine pools at 35 °C
- Outdoor sports pool, 17 x 10 m
- Panorama sauna and seven sweat rooms
- Fondue Spycher and One Million Stars Bar
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel before you go.
Check availability
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Or book direct with ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel: ermitage.ch