Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa

OVERVIEW

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa is part of a cluster of four hotels, which make up Bürgenstock Resort. The other hotels include Switzerland’s most luxurious medical retreat Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence, the Belle Époque Palace Hotel & Conferences, and the chalet-style Taverne 1879. Unlike the other three, which offer unspoilt Alpine vistas and views of rolling meadows, the Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa offers a jaw-dropping panoramic scenery of Lake Lucerne.

To reach the Bürgenstock Resort, your journey starts in Lucerne, where you embark on a shuttle boat to Kehrsiten, from where you take the funicular, which gives you a glimpse of the breathtaking bike rides, hikes and other outdoor activities (skiing 30 minutes away) that await you.  

There is also a 9-hole Alpine golf course, three championship tennis courts, and an ice rink during winter.

WELLNESS HAVEN

If you’re already familiar with the Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa, you’re probably well aware of its stunning Instagram infinity pool shots. And yes, it actually lives up to the hype! Perched beside the hotel, the massive 107,000-square-foot wellness temple (largest in Europe), is a warm and calm haven, where you will want to while away your entire day. The natural tones of oak and stonework, gently lit by candles and fireplaces, make the seating and lounge areas extra cozy. Enjoy the spectacular scenery through floor-to-ceiling windows from your waterbed loungers, or take in the Alpine and lake view panorama from the heated outdoor infinity pool.

Guests can also indulge in steam, sauna and infrared sessions, hot and cold Kneipp baths, an ice room, a natural pond, a lap pool, and a heated brine bath with a salt content of 30%. Furthermore, there’s a well-equipped 24-hour gym with a program of fitness classes, and there are 15 spa treatment rooms, and three private spa suites. The body and face treatments use brands such as La Prairie.

CELEBRITY FOLLOWING

Bürgenstock Hotel’s history harks all the way back to 1873 and its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s when it was a magnet for the European rich and famous, including Hollywood stars such as Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn. Loren came with her husband and they became residents. Hepburn got married here and gave birth to her son.

The nine-year US$570m renovation (which was completed in 2017) is as spectacular as its heritage. The 19^th century chapel where Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer in 1954 is still intact, and the kidney-shaped outdoor pool (which was popular with socialites in the 1960s) is still the place to see and be seen today.

DINING

Rest assured you will not go hungry here. With a total of 10 restaurants and bars to choose from between the four hotels, there’s a smorgasbord of cuisines. Spices Kitchen & Terrace at Bürgenstock Hotel serves up Asian dishes from China, Thailand, India and Japan with a fabulous backdrop of Lake Lucerne. Sharq Oriental Restaurant next door boasts a Middle Eastern menu, Palace Hotel’s RitzCoffier offers fine dining and is home to the young French Chef Bertrand Charles, who received his first Michelin star last year. Oak Grill & Pool Patio offers barbequed meats and seafood, while Taverne 1879 Restaurant serves Swiss fondue, raclette and other traditional delicacies. Verbena Restaurant & Bar at Waldhotel delights with healthy lifestyle meals that follow the Waldhotel Colour Cuisine, which is based on an alkaline, low carb, no sugar, non-gluten, non-dairy diet. Furthermore, guests can also dine at the Alpine Golf Restaurant, the Lakeview Bar & Cigar Lounge, and enjoy a drink at Salon 1903.