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HotelShortlist rating
4/5

On the HotelShortlist, with a caveat: Guests report hidden fees.

Gstaad

Arc en ciel

★★★★
9.3
Booking score
4.6
Google rating
1,292
Total reviews
★★★★
Star rating
≈2018
Built / renovated
Matti
Owner
5+
Highest floor guests reported
1%
Noise mentions
Engine scores ·Newness ≈2018 ·Location 4.6
Member rate
€—,———
Booking.com shows the public rate for the same room and dates
Members see this rate in full. It is typically lower than the public price on this property — the same room, the same hotel, the same confirmation.
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Verdict

Is Arc en ciel Worth It? The Honest Verdict

9.3/10 Booking.com4.6/5 Google80 reviews read4-star

As of 10 September 2026, 80 guest reviews give Arc en ciel 9.3/10 on Booking.com and 4.6/5 on Google.

Most-repeated praise: Exceptionally warm, genuinely welcoming, and consistently smiling staff at every touchpoint—from front desk to housekeeping—who treat guests like family and anticipate needs without prompting 28 reviews.

Complaints

Noise and Room Complaints at Arc en ciel: Which Rooms to Avoid

  • Restaurant manager exhibits inconsistent professionalism—becomes visibly stressed and unfriendly even during empty service periods, rolls eyes at reasonable guest requests, and creates uncomfortable dining atmosphere 2 reviews
  • Takeaway service severely lacking: 10+ minute waits both ordering and pickup, no insulated bags provided for food (causing pizzas to arrive cold after short walks), and inconsistent courtesy from some staff
  • Vegetarian main courses are disproportionately small (11 gnocchis noted) and bland compared to meat offerings, with management dismissively claiming Switzerland has the biggest portions when confronted
Rooms to avoid
  • Room 504 noted as potential issue (though specific noise not the complaint—door lock was broken)
What guests praise

Arc en ciel Reviews — What Guests Actually Say vs the Marketing

Arc en ciel sells itself as a 4-star hotel. What guests repeat most:

  • Exceptionally warm, genuinely welcoming, and consistently smiling staff at every touchpoint—from front desk to housekeeping—who treat guests like family and anticipate needs without prompting 28 reviews
  • Outstanding restaurant quality, particularly wood-fired pizzas and traditional Swiss dishes like fondue and Zurich-style minced meat, consistently praised as the best in Gstaad across multiple years 24 reviews
  • Perfect location steps from Eggli ski lift with convenient ski rental shop, combined with walking distance to town center, making it ideal for both winter sports and summer exploration 18 reviews
Room requests

Which Room Should You Ask For at Arc en ciel?

Ask for
  • Rooms with river/balcony views reported as peaceful with bird chirping and river sounds
Method

How HotelShortlist Researched Arc en ciel

We read 80 public guest reviews of Arc en ciel, grouped repeated findings and counted how often each one appears. Pest figures are guest reports, not inspection results. Member-only detail is blurred on this page. Research updated 2026-09-10. If you represent Arc en ciel and believe something here is wrong, write to members@hotelshortlist.com and we will review it.

What guests love

Exceptionally warm, genuinely welcoming, and consistently smiling staff at every touchpoint—from front desk to housekeeping—who treat guests like family and anticipate needs without prompting (28×)
Outstanding restaurant quality, particularly wood-fired pizzas and traditional Swiss dishes like fondue and Zurich-style minced meat, consistently praised as the best in Gstaad across multiple years (24×)
Perfect location steps from Eggli ski lift with convenient ski rental shop, combined with walking distance to town center, making it ideal for both winter sports and summer exploration (18×)
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5 more positive findings visible to members.

Watch-outs · 6 recorded

Restaurant manager exhibits inconsistent professionalism—becomes visibly stressed and unfriendly even during empty service periods, rolls eyes at reasonable guest requests, and creates uncomfortable dining atmosphere (2×)
Takeaway service severely lacking: 10+ minute waits both ordering and pickup, no insulated bags provided for food (causing pizzas to arrive cold after short walks), and inconsistent courtesy from some staff (1×)
Vegetarian main courses are disproportionately small (11 gnocchis noted) and bland compared to meat offerings, with management dismissively claiming Switzerland has the biggest portions when confronted (1×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see thi (1×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding i (2×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in (1×)
3 more watch-outs are visible to members.
Parking note. Comfortable — Multiple reviews praise ample parking in front, free parking, and convenient parking next to Eggli ski lift with no complaints about availability or space.

What guests report

View
Superior and superior chalet rooms feature breathtaking mountain views, river views, and alps/meadows/snow visible from balconies; rooms without balcony access have limited views
Bed & mattress
Very comfortable beds with quality linens and bedding; one guest noted unexplained poor sleep in otherwise excellent room suggesting possible mattress issue in some units
Bathroom & water
Clean bathrooms; no specific complaints about water pressure or temperature reported
Wi-Fi
Netflix included with stay; no specific complaints about wifi speed or reliability
Breakfast
Excellent quality included buffet with fresh ingredients, live cooking stations, and superior value among included hotel breakfasts
AC / heating
No air conditioning in rooms; summer heat can be uncomfortable; heating system adequate for winter

Local knowledge

Book the private spa at least a day in advance; slots fill quickly, especially in winter ski season
Request a room with river or mountain views on the balcony—guests consistently praise these over other orientations
Skip the summer season if you're heat-sensitive; no AC in rooms and can get uncomfortably warm
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Room intel

Quiet rooms / wings
  • Rooms with river/balcony views reported as peaceful with bird chirping and river sounds
Noisy rooms to avoid
  • Room 504 noted as potential issue (though specific noise not the complaint—door lock was broken)
Extra charges guests were surprised by
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Character & facilities

Design & character 5% of reviews mention design
  • Beautiful Swiss chalet architecture with warm wood and rustic decor described as full of character and positive vibes
  • Thoughtfully renovated rooms with tasteful modern mountain chic aesthetic
  • Building's distinctive design praised as ideal for innovators and artists with oozed positive vibes
Gym & fitness Basic
  • Small gym acknowledged as adequate for morning workouts but not extensively equipped
  • Described as functional for basic fitness needs
Family facilities
  • Indoor playroom with slides and games
  • Outdoor playground with electric scooters and cars (CHF 1 to use)
  • Children's menu with diverse options and appropriately-sized portions
  • Nappy changing facilities with supplies, coloring sets, and activity books provided at arrival
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Questions about Arc en ciel

How is Arc en ciel rated?
Arc en ciel scores 9.3/10 on Booking.com and 4.6/5 on Google.
How many guest reviews were analysed for Arc en ciel?
HotelShortlist analysed 80 guest reviews for Arc en ciel to build this verified profile.
Is Arc en ciel a 4-star hotel?
Yes — Arc en ciel is a 4-star property in Gstaad.
What do guests love about Arc en ciel?
The most-mentioned positive in guest reviews: Exceptionally warm, genuinely welcoming, and consistently smiling staff at every touchpoint—from front desk to housekeeping—who treat guests like family and anticipate needs without prompting
How do I get the member rate?
HotelShortlist is a private members’ club. Ask for an introduction and, once admitted, member rates are unlocked on every verified hotel.

How Arc en ciel Compares to Other Gstaad Hotels

Arc en ciel: Booking.com 9.3/10, 4-star. Other researched hotels in Gstaad:

See all verified hotels in Gstaad →

Review data verified & refreshed 2026-09-10.