Also not clear is the role played in Fischer's departure by the hotel's owners, Bernie Ecclestone and Marco Piccinini, who are well-known to have been considering much postponed investment plans for the property that include a new swimming pool and wellness facilities. In any event hitherto vice-director Ermes Elsener has taken over the helm. Popular with guests and just 30 years old this year, Elsener will assume the mantle of the youngest director of a 5-star hotel in Gstaad (we believe the previously holder of that title was Michel Wichmann at the Bellevue, but hit 'Comments' below to tell us if we're wrong).

There will also be changes in the kitchen, with the former sous-chef at the Park, Giuseppe Angelucci, becoming the new executive kitchen chef, and Olden fixture Tobia Ciarulli moving up to the newly-created position of Gastronomy Director. Despite the personnel changes, Massimo will remain in the ever-popular bar and there will be no major changes to the Olden’s overall “Saanenland meets the Mediterranean” culinary concept …which means it will continue to be excellent and reassuringly expensive.