I've moved on...
...to a different domain. Why, what were you thinking? The truth is, I just woke up one day and decided it's time for a change—a metamorphosis, if you will; or, in layman's terms, if Britney can shave her head, then maybe so can I? Nevertheless, it's been a rather handsome 10 years of talking to you, and thank you for putting up with all my moodswings and terrible dad jokes. Fear not! The hormonal imbalance and jokes are more terrible on CUBICLE, see you there.

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Le Grand Bellevue
Hauptstrasse, Gstaad, Switzerland | bellevue-gstaad.ch

When it comes to reaching anywhere off the beaten track (i.e a destination not entirely manageable with a local taxi straight out the airport), somewhere remotely remote and high up/buried deep on a mountain there is bound to be a fair amount of schlepping involved. By this I mean that for most of the journey you will most likely drag your overstuffed wheelie on uneven terrain while juggling local currency + a pocket-full of relevant/irrelevant ticket stubs + some really dodgy foreign language skills. You will most definitely quiver as you look out for your stop, half certain that you missed it some time ago and because there is suddenly a lake outside the window when your destination is a ski-resort.

Lest we forget, the Swiss efficiency knows no schlep. This is no ordinary night on the Overground from Haggerston to Hackney Central. And for this to work you’d have started with a Swiss flight, whereon the doors close bang-on-the-dot and touchdown like butter on warm toast (perhaps not always but our flight out of Heathrow was what all flights should be). The glass-ceiling Golden Pass train from Montreux glides by quaint villages and perhaps the most sensational scenery in Europe. The phenomenally glassy Lake Geneva is but a teaser to the view that unveils at 900 meters above sea level. And hey, wasn’t the mountain to our right when we departed?

On arrival into Gstaad, a vintage Bentley collects us to go the last 100m down to Le Grand Bellevue, our final stop. The driver tells us the car was formerly owned by Roger Moore. See, the schlep never happens.

Coat – Woolrich. Cashmere sweater – The White Company. Bag – Celine. Jeans – 7 for All Mankind. Hat – H&Ma

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Le Grand Bellevue is warm – almost homey if not for the resident five-star service. If the canary-yellow façade wasn’t hint enough, plush velvet and fabric sofas give it away immediately on arrival. We are handed a brass pineapple at check-in. Attached, a key (!) that opens the door to our room under the cone tower of the East Wing. We abandon our bags and head down to recharge with the afternoon tea by a crackling fire, available at the lounge daily. After a plate of scones and a few chapters of airport-bought Grisham later, we drift back to the room – drunk on the aroma of burnt wood and a hint of peppermint or lavender wafting from the lift coming from the spa floor. Rest tonight, tomorrow we’re going skiing.

Park & Cube was a guest of Le Grand Bellevue, all views and opinions are my own. The season ends March 31, and re-opens for summer June 24th so make sure to book before then to catch the ski-season!

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32 Comments

  1. Lovely photos as always. Never heard of the word schlepp before but it seems like it could describe most of my life. Also, how long ago were you here Shini? I swear I saw that photo of you in the hanging chair aaaaaages ago!

    TFM BLOG

  2. Like… a year ago. WOW

  3. Amazing views indeed. If only I could (reasonably) visit a place like this!

  4. That pictures were from heaven! I’m stunned.
    Come & see my blog: http://sunmoonstyle.blogspot.co.at/

  5. Wonderful place!!!!

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    ❤ Kisses from http://www.withorwithoutshoes.com
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  6. Love this, especially that gif of you hanging from the swinging birdcage! Swiss is so gorgeous!

    Characters & Carry-ons

  7. Beautiful images! Stunning hotel and equally mesmerising view.

    Avanti
    xxx
    Avantigarde.wordpress.com

  8. Oooh, very nice!

  9. Gstaad is definitively one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. It’s a pity though there wasn’t any snow!!

    http://www.lips-brothers.com
    http://www.lips-brothers.com

  10. La Bijoux Bella | by mia

    Beautiful photos and breathtaking sceneries. Always an exciting place to be! Simply fabulous! :)

    La Bijoux Bella | by mia

  11. Great, now I’ll probably be hearing the word schlep in my head all day!
    Lovely photos Shini – this looks like a magazine editorial (but then, all your posts do!).
    Hmm.. starting to get used to the word now. Schlep!
    http://theavantguardian.com/

  12. […] post Belle vue Pt.1 appeared first on PARK & […]

  13. Love it! <3

    ______________________
    PERSONAL STYLE BLOG
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  14. beautiful photos!

    xx
    http://www.cherry-mag.com

  15. These pictures are goregous! I love the cool kind of rainy day vibe in them. I always like your moving photos!
    xx http://www.nuunablog.com

  16. Absolutely gorgeous photographs… You capture moments so beautifully!

    http://www.thestylesynapse.com

  17. Beautiful images <3

  18. Omg what great photography skills!! The pictures look amazing! <3
    I love this little GIF you posted, awesome!
    xx Sara

    http://www.thecuriousblueberry.com

  19. That gif is probably my favourite thing ever. I honestly would love to know what camera you use – although i’m sure it is 90% your skill and only 10% technology. You capture the essence of the whole place so beautifully and with such detail. Also Grand Budapest Hotel vibes all the way. Sophie xxx
    http://www.fashionnomads.com

  20. […] 7| Need to get away but don’t have the time or funds? Take a walk with Gal Meets Glam to Point Reyes and catch up with Park & Cube in Switzerland. […]

  21. Beautiful photos, wish i could been there once <3

    Love from Best Bags 2016

  22. Tatiana

    Ohh the views… mesmerizing! Looking like something that came out of a book.
    I usually don’t comment on your work, although I’m always “here” to catch up on a new post and even to get inspired. I’m a huge fan. And your blog has been my “daily go to inspiration place” everyday. Still building up my site, but I can definitely say that you’ve inspired me a lot on most of the process.
    Wish you all the best. And congratulations on your work.

  23. What a beautiful hotel! Switzerland is one of my favorite countries where I feel so at home every time I’m there. xx

    Patricia
    http://www.rebelrosefashion.com

  24. Lovely Place! SO inspiring

  25. WOW
    You have a delightful pictures! I really liked the brass pineapple.

  26. Just amazing! Wonderful pictures as usual :) keep going you are amazing!

    https://goo.gl/CzFp6Z

  27. amazing !!!!!
    http://bloggersBoyfriend.com

  28. Great Places To See,Lovely Shots,thanks for sharing your travel experinece,actually this month we are planning trip…

  29. […] Shini Park […]

  30. HI

    wow I love your posts.

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  32. Very nice place that you discuss in this article there is the very beautiful pictures that you share with us.Thanks for writing this article.