Tucked away in the heart of Gstaad, where heritage meets innovation, Le Grand Bellevue redefines alpine luxury through bold design and a genuine drive for positive change. Offering guests an experience that is both timelessly elegant and consciously curated, the hotel stands as a beacon of modern hospitality rooted in tradition. In this edition of Behind the Butterfly, we learn how Le Grand Bellevue has evolved from a historic spa house into a forward-thinking destination. From championing local partnerships to reducing waste across operations, the hotel leads with purpose – while preserving the warmth and charm that define the Swiss Alps. With a deep focus on community, wellbeing, and continuous progress, Le Grand Bellevue proves that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.
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Hi Arianna! Can you tell us about Le Grand Bellevue and how it all began?
Le Grand Bellevue’s journey began in 1912, when it was first built as a Cure House and Spa in the heart of Gstaad, a village brimming with timeless beauty and rich culture. In 2014, after a year-long renovation, the hotel was reimagined by Daniel and Davia Koetser, dynamic young owners who fell in love with the spirit of Gstaad but sought to create something new and unique. Infusing bold design with alpine elegance, they blended the hotel’s storied past with modern luxuries. It’s a place where heritage and innovation meet, offering guests an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
With waste being such a material topic within the travel industry, can you tell us a bit more on how LGB promotes more sustainable waste management throughout its operations?
At Le Grand Bellevue, we promote sustainable waste management through several initiatives. We ensure cyclical recycling across our operations, and our partnership with SAPO Cycle allows for the responsible recycling of soaps. In the kitchen, we prioritise locally sourced ingredients, reducing packaging waste. We also use more sustainable cleaning products and have installed LED lighting throughout the hotel to lower energy consumption. Additionally, we’ve launched the Le Grand Bellevue app to reduce paper waste by providing digital menus. By focusing on these practices, we strive to minimise our environmental footprint and encourage sustainable consumption patterns throughout our operations.
We love seeing our community of Real Changemakers come together globally. Could you share what inspired the choice of Bamford for LGB’s amenities and highlight any other initiatives in place that minimise hazardous materials throughout the hotel?
At Le Grand Bellevue, we chose Bamford for our amenities due to their commitment to organic, sustainably sourced ingredients, which align perfectly with our values of wellness and environmental responsibility. Their luxurious products enhance the guest experience while minimising environmental impact. Beyond this, we’ve implemented several initiatives to reduce hazardous materials. As SAPO Cycle premium members, we recycle soaps responsibly. Our kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients, and we operate on 100% Swiss hydro-power and bio-gas. We also use LED lighting, more sustainable cleaning products, and offer electric vehicle charging stations to further reduce our environmental footprint.
Renowned for its natural beauty and high quality of living, Switzerland places great emphasis on local produce. Can you tell us more about how LGB prioritises Swiss ingredients both in the kitchen and on a wider scale?
At Le Grand Bellevue, we prioritise Swiss ingredients both in our kitchen and throughout our operations. We work closely with the Von Siebenthal Farm, sourcing fresh, local produce to create seasonal dishes that reflect Switzerland’s culinary richness. Our commitment to local sourcing extends to our breads, pastries, and meats, including Swiss beef, veal, pork, chicken, lamb, and salmon. By collaborating with local producers, we ensure that our guests enjoy the best of Swiss flavours, while supporting sustainability and the region’s agricultural heritage.
Looking forward, what is your immediate focus for creating positive change as a brand?
Looking ahead, our immediate focus is to further enhance our sustainability practices while preserving the luxury experience our guests expect. We are looking to continue to reduce our environmental impact by optimising energy consumption, minimising waste, and prioritising locally sourced products. Additionally, we aim to strengthen our connection with the local community through partnerships that celebrate and support Gstaad’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Finally, how has working with Positive Luxury and earning Butterfly Mark certification changed or informed your approach to your sustainability journey?
The Butterfly Mark Certification has really helped us prioritise sustainability in a more meaningful way. It’s shown us how crucial it is to align our efforts with clear, measurable standards, not just to meet, but to exceed the expectations of our guests and stakeholders. Through this process, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of how every part of our business, from sourcing to operations, can positively impact the environment and community. It’s also encouraged us to be more accountable, constantly evaluate our practices, and push ourselves to find creative solutions to reduce our footprint.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BUTTERFLY MARK CERTIFIED LE GRAND BELLEVUE
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