A European town that is loved by Hollywood royalty could well be the most expensive place to visit on the planet.
Gstaad in Switzerland has welcomed the likes of Princess Diana in the past, attracted to its stunning landscape in the Swiss Alps. But most of us would never be able to afford to visit – let alone shop in its high street – as it’s considered one of if not the the most expensive tourist destinations in the world.
Research carried out in 2023 suggested the average hotel rate in the village is an eye-watering £1,115-per-night. Average food costs are just as jaw-dropping, coming in at £145 a day.
Its picturesque main street is lined with grand wooden chalets housing high-end stores such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Moncler. YouTuber Tim, who operates the Walk With Me Tim channel, marvelled that a “pair of slippers” was on sale for 1,020 Swiss francs – just over £900.
A neighbouring shop displayed a watch that was priced at 4,800 francs – about £4,300. It’s certainly not a street that’s welcoming to those of us that aren’t millionaires – Tim noted that the shop staff “look at you like you’re absolute filth”.
The cosmopolitan town, most locals speak both French and German, has some of the world’s priciest real estate with chalets costing anything upwards of £10 million. Average rents hover around the £2,800 per month mark – making it hard to understand where the staff at the resort’s shops and restaurants actually live.
The ultimate in luxury for visitors is the Gstaad palace, a castle-style hotel that has played host to the likes of Michael Jackson, Quentin Tarantino and Sophia Loren, as well as Princess Diana.
Jackson reportedly tried to buy the hotel himself after one particularly memorable stay with his close friend Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, Richard Burton.
Each of the hotel’s 90 rooms has a unique design, while staying true to the traditional alpine theme that can be seen throughout Gstaad.
For real high-rollers, there’s the exclusive Penthouse Suite, with its 1,600-square-foot rooftop patio that offers panoramic views of the mountains. Once the breathtaking views have ceased to delight you, you can always retire inside and enjoy the hot tub, sauna and private kitchen where you – or more probably your staff – can whip up a delicious meal.
It’s probably best to stay in your hotel. Popping out to the nearby coffee shop for a small cappuccino will set you back just under £7.
For the average holidaymaker, a week’s skiing in Gstaad may be unaffordable. But anyone with an Instagram account can enjoy regular video updates from Gstaad Guy, a UK-based comedian who regularly posts videos wickedly parodying the lifestyles of the rich and famous who spend their winters in this most exclusive of Alpine resorts.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
