Marwan Naja, left, and Günter Weilguni, right, in front of the upcoming HUUS project. Photo: Mark Nolan Text: GSTAADLIFE   The Steigenberger Hotel Gstaad-Saanen has been acquired by the newly established HUUS Gstaad AG.

Marwan Naja, left, and Günter Weilguni, right, in front of the upcoming HUUS project. Photo: Mark Nolan Text: GSTAADLIFE   The Steigenberger Hotel Gstaad-Saanen has been acquired by the newly established HUUS Gstaad AG.

Text: GSTAADLIFE   After a bumpy start to 2015, the latest tourism figures show reason for cautious celebration. Throughout Switzerland, September 2015 figures are comparable to those from September 2014, with a small increase of 1%.

Text: GSTAADLIFE   After a bumpy start to 2015, the latest tourism figures show reason for cautious celebration. Throughout Switzerland, September 2015 figures are comparable to those from September 2014, with a small increase of 1%.

Christa Hauswirth and Helmut Haldi are set to take over Charly's in Gstaad. Photo:AvS Text: GSTAADLIFE   Christa Hauswirth and Helmut Haldi have announced they will take over Gstaad’s legendary Charly’s café.

Christa Hauswirth and Helmut Haldi are set to take over Charly's in Gstaad. Photo:AvS Text: GSTAADLIFE   Christa Hauswirth and Helmut Haldi have announced they will take over Gstaad’s legendary Charly’s café.

Photo: AvS/Anja Moosmann Text: GSTAADLIFE The Saanenland must say goodbye to its mountain airfield. Gumm, which is situated above Feutersoey, will be closed along with Rosenegg-West in Grindelwald, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced last week.

Photo: AvS/Anja Moosmann Text: GSTAADLIFE The Saanenland must say goodbye to its mountain airfield. Gumm, which is situated above Feutersoey, will be closed along with Rosenegg-West in Grindelwald, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced last week.

Photo: AvS Text: GSTAADLIFE   The decade-long renovation of the road from to Saanenmöser to Zweisimmen continues as planned, with the second half of the project now on display at the municipality of Saanen.

Photo: AvS Text: GSTAADLIFE   The decade-long renovation of the road from to Saanenmöser to Zweisimmen continues as planned, with the second half of the project now on display at the municipality of Saanen.

By Alexis Munier   The boom in second homes that contributed to the economy of the Saanenland may now be over. This spring, Switzerland’s government officially put Lex Weber, commonly called the “second home initiative” on the books.

By Alexis Munier   The boom in second homes that contributed to the economy of the Saanenland may now be over. This spring, Switzerland’s government officially put Lex Weber, commonly called the “second home initiative” on the books.

Text: GSTAADLIFE   The beleaguered local mountain railways company, Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (BDG) presented another plan for restructuring and rehabilitation this April 2015.

Text: GSTAADLIFE   The beleaguered local mountain railways company, Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (BDG) presented another plan for restructuring and rehabilitation this April 2015.

Last winter, the Anzeiger von Saanen held a roundtable discussion with several real estate agencies in the Saanenland.

Last winter, the Anzeiger von Saanen held a roundtable discussion with several real estate agencies in the Saanenland.

Photo: AvS Text: Sophie Green   Nestled in the heart of this magical valley, elite private schools have been attracting students from around world for half a century.

Photo: AvS Text: Sophie Green   Nestled in the heart of this magical valley, elite private schools have been attracting students from around world for half a century.

In the latest move toward Institut Le Rosey’s campus expansion, the Canton of Bern has given long-awaited approval on the building site permit and street renovation.

In the latest move toward Institut Le Rosey’s campus expansion, the Canton of Bern has given long-awaited approval on the building site permit and street renovation.

Photo: AvS Housing prices in the Saanenland have skyrocketed in recent years. Whether it’s a 20 million-franc historic chalet, or a 700,000-franc 2.5 room apartment, properties are squarely out of reach for most locals.

Photo: AvS Housing prices in the Saanenland have skyrocketed in recent years. Whether it’s a 20 million-franc historic chalet, or a 700,000-franc 2.5 room apartment, properties are squarely out of reach for most locals.

The Molkerei, dairy cooperative of Gstaad, is moving to greener pastures. On Thursday, November 29th the General Assembly voted unanimously to purchase a plot of land on which to build their new production and storage facility.

The Molkerei, dairy cooperative of Gstaad, is moving to greener pastures. On Thursday, November 29th the General Assembly voted unanimously to purchase a plot of land on which to build their new production and storage facility.

It has been a long decline for the financial and physical health of the mountain railways of the Saanenland. Troubled times hit Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (BDG) several years ago, and have continued to mount.

It has been a long decline for the financial and physical health of the mountain railways of the Saanenland. Troubled times hit Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (BDG) several years ago, and have continued to mount.

The long-awaited bi-annual city fair is here again. Billing itself as 'The largest showcase in the Saanenland', the Gstaadermesse will host approximately 70 stands.

The long-awaited bi-annual city fair is here again. Billing itself as 'The largest showcase in the Saanenland', the Gstaadermesse will host approximately 70 stands.

Institut Le Rosey has cleared the last major hurdle for its new Erli campus in Schönried, thanks to the Saanen city council’s overwhelming approval of two critical measures. The council ruled 254 to 12 in favour of Project n.75 “Erli” and “Ausbau Hubelstrasse,” which ...

Institut Le Rosey has cleared the last major hurdle for its new Erli campus in Schönried, thanks to the Saanen city council’s overwhelming approval of two critical measures. The council ruled 254 to 12 in favour of Project n.75 “Erli” and “Ausbau Hubelstrasse,” which ...

The Sweet Smell of Success What do pastry and politics have in common? Here in Gstaad, it’s Heinz Brand, the baker who traded bread for bureaucracy when he retired from business and ran for office.

The Sweet Smell of Success What do pastry and politics have in common? Here in Gstaad, it’s Heinz Brand, the baker who traded bread for bureaucracy when he retired from business and ran for office.

A new chapter has opened not only with the JFK international school but also with its previous managers - the Lovell's. Well, Bill, Sandy, Bryce and Vicktoria Lovell started their own company - Lovell Camps which offer boys and girls from around the globe both summer and winter holidays. ...

A new chapter has opened not only with the JFK international school but also with its previous managers - the Lovell's. Well, Bill, Sandy, Bryce and Vicktoria Lovell started their own company - Lovell Camps which offer boys and girls from around the globe both summer and winter holidays. ...

This past Thursday October 20 2011 at around 17:30 two men robbed a jewelry shop in Gstaad. They threatened the shopkeeper with a knife and tied her up before they got away with watches worth tens of thousands of francs. The cantonal police of Bern are asking for help in finding the robbers.

This past Thursday October 20 2011 at around 17:30 two men robbed a jewelry shop in Gstaad. They threatened the shopkeeper with a knife and tied her up before they got away with watches worth tens of thousands of francs. The cantonal police of Bern are asking for help in finding the robbers.

Mark the date in your calendar: October 27 to 30 2011. Local businesses present themselves, lots of interesting stuff, food, shows, kids activities etc. Here is the program.

Mark the date in your calendar: October 27 to 30 2011. Local businesses present themselves, lots of interesting stuff, food, shows, kids activities etc. Here is the program.

The Hotel Arc-en-Ciel in Gstaad is celebrating its 50th anniversary this Saturday October 22 2011 from 11:00 till 17:00.

The Hotel Arc-en-Ciel in Gstaad is celebrating its 50th anniversary this Saturday October 22 2011 from 11:00 till 17:00.