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SWISS LUXURY TRAVEL BLOG
schweizerhof lucerne
Where history comes alive
"The Schweizerhof is a magnificent hotel - lifts, electric lighting. Fireworks every Saturday."
As the quote above indicates, the Schweizerhof Lucerne made quite an impression on Winston Churchill who is just one of the many illustrious guests who stayed at this elegant hotel since it first opened in 1845. This hotel incidentally is still very popular with guests as it was rated number one hotel in Switzerland by the readers’ choice awards 2016 of the magazine Condé Nast Traveler.
Very conveniently located just on the edge of Lucerne town centre, facing the beautiful lake and mountains, the Schweizerhof is a very elegant family-run historic hotel. On entering the lobby you feel like you are entering the world of a great European hotel of years gone by. From the grand entrance, with its beautiful mosaic floor, to the two ballrooms with their stunning chandeliers and ornate ceilings, the majority of period features have been beautifully preserved. Even the lift is original, although the mechanics have luckily been updated.
The 101 hotel rooms were all redesigned in a fresh, contemporary style in 2014, using the stories of famous past guests as the main theme. Each room is dedicated to a famous person, be it Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Roger Moore, Leonard Bernstein or Tracy Chapman to name but a few. A small display cabinet with memorabilia commemorating that person can be found in each room, together with an original quote tattooed on the wall above the bed. The guests’ stories are retold in an engaging book on display in each room. In the suite dedicated to Tolstoy there is a wine bottle dating back to 1818, together with a copy of the short story he wrote about Lucerne that recounts in part his stay at the Schweizerhof.
The rooms are spacious and very comfortable. I would really recommend getting a room with a lakeside view to make the most of the spectacular setting. Not only do you get a lovely view on Lake Lucerne, but also on the stunning mountains beyond. Whilst the rooms are very stylish, I felt that the bathrooms could have been updated to a higher standard. Mine had a very narrow shower. However, the towels were super soft and fluffy, just the way I like them!
The hotel boasts two stunning ballrooms that are used for functions, an elegant restaurant, The Galerie, and just below it a more relaxed dining area called the Pavilion located in a sun-drenched veranda, and a separate very chic bar. The bar is very popular during the famous Lucerne music festival and at weekends; it offers a wide selection of cigars and rare whiskies. I was very surprised to see many locals enjoying coffee in the bar in the morning. On the top floor, there’s a small wellness area with steam showers, a sauna, a relaxation zone, some treatment rooms and a small gym. The spa area has the most incredible views on the lake and the alps rising in the distance, it is worthwhile coming up here to admire the sunset whilst lounging in the relaxation area.
In the very own words of the hotel, history comes alive at the Schweizerhof. Staying here is like a trip down memory lane. I left the hotel taking with me a quote by Mark Twain: “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life.”
19th January 2017
For more information check out the hotel's website here.