Andrea Scherz: the quiet force of Palace
Immutable, indestructible, majestic… the adjectives abound as you climb the winding road to the Palace overlooking the village of Gstaad. Like a castle enthroned proudly above the famous Bernese Oberland resort, this typically Swiss hotel ambassador traverses fashions and trends with panache and elegance. The owner, Andrea Scherz, is a discreet figure in many respects, a guardian of tradition yet open to the fast-moving outside world. From climate change to geopolitics to social and economic upheaval, this extraordinary hotel defies the laws of time. Here’s an overview.
Hotel heartland
It’s in the hotel lobby that we meet Andrea Scherz over two glasses of “Château Palace”… a comical expression used by the owner to refer to tap water. From his earliest childhood, young Andrea grew up in an atmosphere of glitz and glamour, without feeling any desire to belong. On a daily basis, he learns the codes and the notion of excellence in service, which he continues to uphold with his teams. Although he was predestined to be the captain, he was never pressured or obliged to take over this jewel of the Swiss hotel industry. “My heart has always been in this hotel. I’m passionate about what I do every day, and I’m very proud to still be an independent hotelier.
While the neighboring Wispile and Wasserngrat mountains are already taking on the colors of spring, bookings are still going strong. “We have a few cancellations for March, but nothing to worry about on the hotel side. Since the pandemic, we’ve had a lot of new customers,” he reveals. From Asia to South America, not to mention a number of European countries, a new clientele eager to travel, discover and discover new things is treading the palace’s steps for the first time. According to forecasts, the 2024 vintage could be 10% higher than the record year of 2023. “It’s paradoxical to exceed expectations at a time of such global upheaval. We are aware of this, and are making sure that we always keep our heads on our shoulders”.
Constant renewal
For Andrea Scherzj, this is no time to rest on his laurels, as he knows he must constantly invest in his establishment. Terrace, pool, spa, restaurants, rooms… changes are made regularly without guests noticing. “We carry out discreet transformations that often blend in with the décor. It’s our duty to keep up with the times while retaining our own identity. We change without changing. Like an indelible tattoo, the notion of family is a trademark that has been skilfully nurtured by the Scherz clan for three generations. At a time when hotel groups are expanding to the four corners of the globe, this independent, identity-based approach to the hotel business is clearly on the way out. The future of the Palace is in good hands…
