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SWISS LUXURY TRAVEL BLOG
Lucerne Palace
From good old-fashioned Swiss elegance to giant Tibetan singing bowls
The Lucerne Palace oozes old-world charm and elegance, with its beautiful marble floors, old-fashioned lobby and attentive staff. Its location is superb, right on the lakefront, with the promenade outside. During the summer months, the hotel has a lovely terrace with comfy sofas from where you can watch people amble by whilst enjoying a cocktail. There’s even a very cute “dog palace” on the terrace where your pet can enjoy some refreshments of his own!
Built in 1906, the building is very grand and offers a wide range of room sizes and suites. There is a mix of more modern designs and some that I would characterize as old-fashioned. I would really recommend booking a superior room on the first floor, with a direct view on the lake and the alps in the distance. These have a light, modern and elegant décor, combining soft cream and beige tones that extend into the bathroom. A big plus is the fact that all the rooms on the first floor have direct access to a spacious terrace. If you feel like splashing out, book one of the four beautiful corner suites on the first floor. They feel more like a private apartment than a suite.
The hotel kindly upgraded me to a very spacious junior suite and, unfortunately, I really struggled with the décor. Let’s just say it was not to my taste… Decorated in hues of burgundy and brown, it felt like it was stuck in the 1970’s. Even the light-fittings were very dated. The saving grace was the large, modern bathroom, with a walk-in shower and a lovely big tub to soak in. To my amusement, the hotel provides a good-quality set of binoculars in each room for guests to make the most of the view. I thought that was a rather nice touch.
The culinary highlight of the hotel is the bright and modern Marlin restaurant the only fish restaurant in Lucerne. Diners can enjoy having their fish filleted directly at their table. Non-fish and vegetarian options are also available. There is also a lovely, old-fashioned bar, with comfy Chesterfield leather sofas and a snack menu. The breakfast room is incredibly light and bright and has the most stunning marble floor.
Unique to this hotel is the one-of-a-kind, giant singing bowl ceremony that offers a new dimension of relaxation. This ceremony draws on the documented benefits of Tibetan singing bowls, that have been used for centuries for healing and meditation purposes and are known to reduce stress and anxiety, increase mental and emotional clarity and help balance the chakras.
A 1.2 tonne bronze singing bowl, with a diameter of 1.76 metres, has been set up in a separate, cosy chalet-like room, dedicated to this ceremony. Guests are invited to take place on a hammock suspended over the bowl and using a log on a swing-like device, the spa therapist gently strikes the bowl by swinging the log, setting off a wave of very intense vibrations that last for over five minutes. The sound waves stimulate every cell in your body, accelerating your heart rate and inducing a unique state of relaxation. At first, the strike is quite unnerving, but you quickly become accustomed to it and allow your mind to just focus on the vibrations. For a more intense experience, you can stand in the middle of the singing bowl with your feet set far apart. I nearly lost my balance on the first strike the vibrations were so intense.
The spa at the Lucerne Palace stands out as being a super-friendly and welcoming. With five treatment rooms, a steam room, a sauna and a small and bright gym, it offers the usual range of beauty and body treatments. It also has a lovely private spa if you and your significant other would like to be pampered with all the privacy in the world. You can book the private spa for 90-minutes or more, it includes a bathtub for two, two massage tables, and a stunning view on the lake and mountains beyond. So romantic!
The Palace is a lovely hotel, with a truly fabulous location. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a serene place to stay in total comfort.
15th December 2016
Useful information
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The spa regularly has a range of special offers for guests that can be found on their web-site. A 60-minute massage is Chf 160.-, a 30-minute back relief massage is Chf 85.- and the Tibetan singing bowl ceremony is Chf 85.-
UPDATE
This hotel closed its doors in November 2017 and will reopen in 2019.