There can be few places on earth quite so beautiful in the autumn as Zürich. With views across the snow-capped Alps, a plethora of Michelin-starred dining venues on your doorstep, and hotels which offer hospitality befitting of royal guests.
If the rainy British weather has got you in the mood for a long weekend city escape, then look no further for your next destination than the Baur au Lac Hotel. Positioned to offer spectacular lakeside views and steeped in over 170 years of history, this hotel is the pinnacle of Swiss elegance.
Gentleman’s Journal hopped on a Switzerland-bound flight to bring you everything you need to know about this historic 5-star retreat.
A family affair...
The Baur au Lac has been owned by the same family for 174 years, and continues to pride itself on a timeless, classic approach to hospitality. Since that time, the hotel has stood for tradition, with long-serving staff members dedicated to knowing guests’ requirements in detail.
Exterior shot of the Baur au Lac Hotel
Exterior shot of the Baur au Lac Hotel
However, this is not a hotel too steeped in tradition to embrace modernity. In Baur au Lac, you therefore find an exclusive world-class hotel which offers you an old-school hotel experience, but also does not allow you to miss out on any modern standards.
Gastronomical delights...
The hotel offers a range of opportunities for fine dining, to suit every palate. It is home to one of the most famous restaurants in Zürich, the Michelin-starred Pavillion, where Chef Laurent Eperon enchants guests with seasonal and modern interpretations of classic haute-cuisine. A
lmost completely enclosed by glass, the rotunda built by star architect Pierre-Yves Rochon offers fantastic views on the surrounding park and river.
For fine casual dining, there is also the Rive Gauche restaurant, which offers light Mediterranean grilled specialities that come with carefully chosen vines from the Baur au Lac winery.
Restaurant Pavillion
Rive Gauche Restaurant
Salon Dining Room
If you are lucky enough to be enjoying some brighter evenings, the Rive Gauche Terrasse is a chic outdoor setting to enjoy refreshing aperitifs of cocktails and ice-cold champagne in chic lounges.
On the slim chance none of the above takes your fancy, there is also Le Hall restaurant which offers an afternoon tea menu in the winter months, alongside a diverse year-round menu filled with popular classics and delicate sweets.
An abundance of amenities…
During your stay at Baur au Lac Hotel, you will enjoy a personal and customised service, thanks to a dedicated concierge team ready to assist you from the moment of your arrival (a VIP limousine service is on offer to transport guests to and from the airport).
If you are keen to stay active on your vacation, there is an extensive fitness centre, which comes equipped with a view across the water, which is beautiful enough to have you forgetting any physical strain. Maybe.
Fitness Centre at Baur au Lac
Rooms fit for royalty…
The hotel offers 119 rooms, including 27 junior suites and 18 suites, with an interior design palette which takes its cues everywhere from the Art Deco, French Louis XVI, and English Regency traditions.
Suite at the Baur au Lac
Bedroom at the Baur au Lac hotel
Contemporary features are also incorporated throughout, using only the most exclusive French, Italian and English fabrics. With beds you’ll want to spend the day in, and large, luxuriously appointed marble bathrooms, we won’t blame you if you choose to enjoy Zürich from within the hotel walls.
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