By Pamela Piedad
With all the chaos happening in the world right now, all we want is serenity. It’s the same feeling I get whenever I see the beautiful Lake Lucerne. Its calm waters mirroring the stunning Alpine mountains is such a great view to wake up to. Fortunately, Park Hotel Vitznau exists to satisfy such dreams.
A 45-minute drive from Zurich takes you to the historical Park Hotel Vitznau. It is located on the stunning shores of Lake Lucerne and at the foot of Mount Rigi, “The Queen of Mountains” as told by Mark Twain. The hotel first opened its doors in 1903 and, since then, has been enjoyed by thousands of travelers looking for the perfect Swiss retreat.
After closing down for a three-year renovation work, the hotel reopened in 2013 with only 47 individual rooms—a big difference from its original 104-room hotel. This important decision was made to increase the room sizes and provide a more outstanding service to guests.
The 100-year-old exterior walls of the hotel were not changed, but inside lies its new, modern, and sophisticated interior. The philosophy to “maintain the past while creating the future” influenced its unique design. If I could pick one word to describe all of them, it would probably be “glorious”.
ROOMS
The hotel has 47 individually-designed suites between 45m2 and 160m2. You may pick which view you’d want to enjoy during your stay: the mountains or the lake. Since every room has a different design and appeal, one could keep coming back without feeling like they’ve been here 46 more times. Check-in is in your suite, so there’s no need to wait in the lobby.
The 95m2 Newton Residence is perfect if you want to wake up facing the shimmering blue lake, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows that make this possible! The residence also has a walk-in closet, a granite bathroom with a round tub and separate walk-in shower, and a
If you want a more regal ambiance, go for the Scappi Residence. The 152m2 residence has a walk-in closet, ethanol fireplace, a granite bathroom with a whirlpool tub and separate walk-in shower, a fully-equipped kitchen, and several balconies. I love its spacious living room because of its classy and modest atmosphere. It’s just a beautiful space for work or rest!
Another highlight would probably be all the thoughtful little things—from their own branded USB plugs, touch panels for shower controls, iPads to control the lights, and the contactless key cards! You read that right: there is no need to grab the card from your bag because your door will automatically unlock when you’re within a five-meter radius.
DINING
Indulge in your gastronomic cravings with the hotel’s restaurants offering fine dining experiences.
Restaurant Focus has two Michelin stars and is headed by Chef Patrick Mahler. It offers cosmopolitan gourmet fare blended with seasonal products from all over the world. French cuisine transforms into colorful creations under the hands of Chef Patrick and his team. If you’re lucky, you could have one of the eight seats at the chef’s table. Otherwise, indoor and outdoor seating is also available.
Chef Philipp Heid heads Restaurant PRISMA with one Michelin star. The chef impresses with a casual fine dining concept and uncomplicated offerings. European dishes combine with the sophistication of Asian flavors and the taste of the finest regional products. Since part of the restaurant is enclosed in glass, it is possible to dine under the stars.
Do you want something grilled? The Lake Terrace is the perfect place for you. It is awarded with 13 GaultMillau points and headed by meat sommelier Felix Kattchin. Apart from the light and tasty dishes, you will also enjoy the stunning views of the Alps here.
Wine lovers and sommeliers would surely love the hotel’s six wine cellars. The cellars are brimming with international treasures spanning over four centuries. In total, there are over 32,000 bottles of wine with 4,000 different varieties. Wine cellar tours and tastings are available for a very reasonable price ranging from $50 to $330.
Allow the clocks to run slow as you visit Verlinde Armagnac & Cognac Bar. The bar has an impressive collection of over 200 vintage armagnacs and cognacs. Have a glass of the classics or some fancy new cocktail. You may pair it with delightful dishes and snacks from the bar, too.
SPA
Walking into the spa reception will make you feel like the VIP that you are. Every corner was thought through and in perfect order. The spa has three floors, and it’s only available to hotel guests, which means there’s a high chance you could have it for yourself.
The first floor has two saunas, a steam room, an ice room, a tepidarium, and a relaxation space. The loungers are all adjustable depending on your needs. On a more exciting note, the largest private seawater aquarium in Switzerland is located here! The space is very cozy; it could be a great reading nook.
The second floor houses the incredible infinity pool with an immaculate view of Lake Lucerne. The pool is heated using the energy generated by the lake. There is also a jacuzzi with stainless steel massage jets and an indoor and outdoor whirlpool.
The third floor has rooms for facial and body treatments, where they use La Prairie products. This Swiss luxury skincare brand is popular for its anti-aging cellular therapy. If you want to complete your pampering experience, visit the hotel’s hair salon and nail parlor, too.
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SAFETY
In light of the pandemic, guests who feel unwell are advised to move the dates of their stay. Unfortunately, it is not possible for guests coming to Switzerland to spend the 10-day period of self-isolation at the hotel.
For everyone’s safety, thermographic cameras are installed in front of the hotel entrances to measure body temperature. There are also sanitizing stations for guests and staff. All employees in all departments wear a protective mask at all times, but please refrain from shaking hands.
Everyone is obliged to wear masks in the entire hotel premises, excluding your hotel room, the pool, and the spa. The gym may only be used when booked in advance. Meanwhile, the sunbathing lawn and chill-out zone have been set up so that individual relaxation areas, consisting of two loungers and a parasol, are five meters apart. In the restaurants, guests must wear their masks until they are comfortably seated at their table.
