For travellers seeking the finer things in life, Switzerland is the ideal destination. Many of the worlds best can be found here, from cultural landmarks such as heritage sites and monuments to cosmopolitan in fashion and the arts. Out of the numerous characteristics travellers around the world associate with Switzerland, quality and style are always at the top of the list.
One thing the Swiss never scrimp on is a sense of luxury when it comes to accommodation. It’s not a difficult task when every view overlooks pristine lakes and snow-capped peaks. But there is also a distinct Swiss touch when it comes to the fine art of cradling people in opulence and comfort. Switzerland boasts some of the world’s most exclusive, luxurious, high-end and unique boutique hotels, and here are some of the best that you can book right now.
The Dolder Grand Zurich
Many hotels in Switzerland are so well-built, well-designed, and well-situated that they stand out as iconic landmarks in the city, and there is nowhere that this is truer than for The Dolder Grand Zurich.
Its most distinct feature is its exquisite location, sitting atop a hill overlooking the city. It looks particularly romantic when there’s a blanket of snow. The views from every room are superb – mountains and forest on one side, gleaming buildings and a glistening lake on the other. The Dolder Grand has been welcoming guests for a century, including some of the world’s most distinct figures such as Winston Churchill, Thomas Mann, Henry Kissinger, and Prince Charles.
Following the redesign and renovation of The Dolder Grand from 2004 to 2008, the luxurious boutique hotel now has 173 rooms with modern facilities fitted in historical architecture. It also provides guests with only the best services, including Michelin star, The Restaurant, and award-winning, The Spa.
Check prices and availability for The Dolder Grand Zurich.
Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel, Valais
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in Switzerland’s stunning natural scenery than staying at Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel in Valais. This unique boutique hotel was established in 2004, where luxury hospitality coexists with environmental conservation. Sustainability is at the core of this hotel, with natural resources conserved and controlled, all materials and waste recycled. Facilities are made and built with a combination of ingenious engineering and intrinsic properties of natural materials to create an eco-friendly hotel.
While many eco-hotels mean roughing it in the wild, Whitepod succeeds in offering a luxury experience to its guests. The pods house guests in geodesic domes that have all the comforts of a traditional hotel room. Beds are plush and luxurious, furnishings are clean and natural, and each pod is nestled in its own spot in the middle of breathtaking nature with epic sunset views — a fitting setting for a quirky yet romantic Switzerland honeymoon.
Check prices and availability for Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel.
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Widder Hotel, Zurich
Adrian Michael [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Zurich is one of the most sought-after destinations in Switzerland. This finance capital epitomises the coexistence of old and new, characterised by magnificent medieval structures in the lap of contemporary luxury. There are many beautiful boutique hotels for different budgets, but one that places personal comfort as a priority is the Widder Hotel.
With only 49 rooms, privacy and exclusivity are guaranteed. It’s found at the heart of Zurich’s Old Town and within a stone’s throw away from luxury shopping district Bahnhofstrasse. The façade boasts 12th-century architecture, but it’s the interiors that draw the most discerning clientele. Each room is individually-styled and personalised, with the staff going the extra mile to customise its features to the guests’ preference. Adjustable beds and mattresses, a Nespresso machine, minibar, and Bang & Olufsen TV and stereo all add up to make a comfortable stay.
Widder Hotel is a great choice for a stylish city break.
Check prices and availability for Widder Hotel, Zurich.
Waldhotel Spa, Lucerne
Image credit Janitors on Foter.com / CC BY
Starting with a cruise aboard an antique paddle steamer, followed by a vintage funicular ride up through meadows and forests – there is no more charming arrival to a luxury resort than at Bürgenstock. A complex of several hotels and spas, Bürgenstock Resort, is perched on a broad ridge right above Lake Lucerne. The property has seen many highs and lows throughout its more-than-a-century-long history, but its reopening in 2017 breathed new life into this vast luxury property.
Within the Bürgenstock land is Waldhotel Spa, a beautifully-designed boutique hotel that focuses on wellness inspired by nature. All 137 hotel rooms are refurbished with fine-quality oak and pine with private terraces dotting the hotel’s stunning Gabion façade. It’s a new level of bringing the outside in, blending unobstructed views of the Alps into the unparalleled comfort of every room.
Lucerne is a bustling city with countless fun activities and highlights. Perhaps the best way to end each day is to pamper oneself with one of the many treatments at the Waldhotel Spa. Aside from fully-equipped gyms, full-service restaurants, and heated pools, the spa complex is a tranquil environment for both traditional and advanced spa treatments. Who can resist a little pampering, right? The Waldhotel Spa makes an idyllic wellness-themed girls getaway.
Check prices and availability for Waldhotel Spa.
The Alpina Gstaad
At the upscale resort town of Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland is a 5-star luxury hotel that perfectly captures Swiss Alpine style. The Alpine Gstaad celebrates the uniqueness of natural beauty with the use of marble, sandstone, and aged wood in its structure and facilities. This multi-award winning hotel provides comfort and privacy for every guest, personalising each experience in a well-designed environment.
There are only 56 rooms in the hotel, making each stay exclusive and discreet, and the ideal choice for a Switzerland honeymoon. The rooms overlook Swiss ski villages with charming chalets, nestled in the Gstaad’s pristine valley with breathtaking Alpine views. Beyond the rooms, The Alpina offers a full luxury suite of services, including wine cellars, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the Asian-inspired Six Senses Spa.
Check prices and availability for The Alpina Gstaad.
Badrutt’s Palace, St Moritz
Being a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Swiss Deluxe Hotels, and Swiss Historic tells much of what Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz is all about. As a well-known landmark at the centre of Sankt Moritz, this 5-star luxury hotel houses 120 rooms and 37 suites decked out in timeless décor. Magnificent views are a given, plus in-room comforts such as flat-screen TV with free movie channels, a free minibar, and an opulent ensuite bathroom.
One of the hotel’s best features is the Engadin Mountains wrapped around an indoor swimming pool encased in floor-to-ceiling windows. There is also a gym, tennis court, and of course, a spa.
While it’s wonderful enough to stay at the hotel and live in the lap of luxury, one unbeatable additional feature is Lake St. Moritz a mere 300 meters away. It’s a favourite spot during both winter and summer, consistently winning guests over as the icing on a most excellent cake.
The Badrutt’s Palace in St Moritz is an excellent choice for a celebratory holiday with family or friends.
Check prices and availability for Badrutt’s Palace.
Image credit Bphstm [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Which would be your choice as the perfect boutique hotel be it for a summer pampering weekend with the girls, a stylish family winter getaway or a romantic honeymoon in Switzerland?
by Anna Timbrook from ExpertWorldTravel.com
Anna was born to travel the world, having studied languages all her life. Although she has travelled the world, she now calls Switzerland home and spends her time writing about her experiences on her travel blog with her husband.
