Nicknamed «the hotel project of the century», the Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort complex is a chapter like no other in the history of Swiss hospitality. At the end of the 19th century, Swiss hoteliers Franz Josef Bucher and Joseph Durrer bought an area at the top of the Bürgenstock mountain and built the Grand Hotel Kurhaus there. In 1873, it was renamed Grand Hotel Bürgenstock. After almost a decade of works and an investment of hundreds of millions of Euros to renovate a series of hotels that had its golden age in the late 19th century and early 20th century, the total area today is 60 hectares.
The complex stands at the top of Bürgenstock Mountain, at an altitude of 500 metres, perched above Lake Lucerne, about 30 minutes from the city of the same name and 1.5 hours from Zurich. The sweeping landscapes were certainly the motives that convinced Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer to marry here in 1954, or Sophia Loren, who lived here for several years, or so many other famous figures, such as Charles Chaplin, Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter, who returned to this luxurious corner of Switzerland year after year.
The Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort, which was reopened at the end of 2017, consists of four hotels, boasting between three and five stars (Taverne 1879, Waldhotel, Palace Hotel and Bürgenstock Hotel), 67 residences, a golf course, trails, a spa, cinema, more than ten restaurants and bars, as well as a beautiful wine cellar. It also has the Hammetschwand Lift, considered the highest exterior lift in Europe.
There are many ways to get there, but the most enchanting one is by boat, slowly gliding over the lake from the city of Lucerne. Upon disembarking, the funicular then ascends almost to the top, to the resort which, perched on the cliffs, seems to defy the laws of gravity. Let’s stop off at the luxurious five-star Bürgenstock Hotel, where the setting and the views you can enjoy from it are breathtaking.
Throughout the hotel the décor is simple, elegant, with typical alpine touches. The double height ceilings, the fireplace right in the middle of the main hall, the wine cellar, the rooms with views of the lake and the mountains, the Bvulgari brand amentities, the magnificent spa... everything has been planned in detail, and this is also why the hotel is part of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World.
In one of the restaurants, the Spices Kitchen & Terrace, it seems that Asia has climbed up the mountain and settled here with its exotic flavours. While the snowflakes are falling outside, slowly sinking into the lake, the exotic flavours of the East are prepared in an open kitchen and the menu is served. At the Alpine Spa, the silence is cut through by soft music and the sound of water. Developing over 10,000 sqm and over three floors, the spa features indoor and outdoor areas. Swimming in the outdoor infinity pool (35°C) overlooking the Alps is an unforgettable experience. Inside, there are four more pools, including the indoor heated pool (30°C) and the Alpine Eco Pool (20-24°C). Ten treatment rooms, the Spa Garden (a panoramic garden with Pool Bar), Fitness Centre, Spa Boutique and Panoramic Relaxation Room are other pleasant areas.
Making a reservation at the Bürgenstock Hotel is no easy task, but once you have achieved this, this elegant resort, a symbiosis between modern and traditional, bearing the mark of Swiss hospitality, will leave you with unforgettable memories and a desire to return.
