Schweizerhofquai, Lucerne, Switzerland | (618) 248-8274
Immaculately
maintained 19th-century landmark hotel
Impressive list
of former guests from Armstrong to Wagner
Elegant, modern rooms, many with beautiful lake views
Fine-dining
restaurant in elegant surrounds
Chic bar with
selection of cigars and rare whiskies
Hosts regular
concerts and festivals (a con for some)
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
Hotel often busy
with events
No swimming pool
Gym is tiny
The Hotel
Schweizerhof Luzern is a 101-room, luxury landmark property overlooking the
beautiful waters of Lake Lucerne in the city's charming Old Town. Family-run
for five generations, the hotel also boasts a particularly impressive roll call
of former guests. A 2014 renovation updated the rooms in fresh, contemporary
styling but it's the lake views that really steal the show. Frequent concerts
and festivals hosted on-site can be a turnoff for some, and there's no swimming pool, unlike at the nearby and also luxurious Grand Hotel National (though it's a rare amenity in Lucerne). Palace Luzern is a (typically) less expensive lakefront luxury option, but it's a bit farther from Old Town.
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Scene
Splendid 19th-century landmark hotel with distinguished guestbook
From its grand
yet understated neoclassic facade, to its patterned tile
flooring, elegant molded plaster ceilings, and numerous oil paintings, marble
columns, and antique objets d'art, the landmark Hotel Schweizerhof is truly quite splendid. Original features dating back to 1845 have
been immaculately maintained throughout this refined property and it stands as
a genuine piece of Swiss architectural and hoteling history. It has been in the
Hauser family since 1861 and family-run for five generations. It's also renowned for hosting monthly music festivals and
concerts, and many artists stay at the lakefront hotel. The hotel's roster of former guests is impressive and distinguished, and includes the likes of Roger Moore, Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy, and Neil
Armstrong, as well as a roll call of politicians, kings, and emperors.
Location
Overlooking the north end of Lake Lucerne in the city's charming Old Town
Hotel
Schweizerhof is set overlooking a wide stretch of road that runs along the
north end of Lake Lucerne -- the fourth largest lake in Switzerland. The hotel
is in the colorful Altstadt (Old Town) of the city of Lucerne, within walking
distance of plenty of charming cafes, restaurants, and bars. Across the nearby
bridge that spans the river Reuss is the main train station, less than 10
minutes away on foot. There are also plenty of tourist attractions within
walking distance such as Sammlung Rosengart Museum and the KKL Lucerne Culture
and Congress Center, both around 10 minutes' walk. The nearest international airport
is Zurich Airport, at 45 to 50 minutes' drive without traffic.
Rooms
Many of the elegant, sophisticated rooms open to balconies with superb lake and mountain views.
For such a grand
hotel, it might come as a surprise there are only 101 rooms and suites.
Renovations on all of these rooms were completed in 2014, resulting in a
tasteful blend of smart contemporary styling and period pieces and original features. Though color palettes vary, most rooms incorporate cool grays and accents in cream, blue or purple; rooms have stylish, patterned wall-to-wall carpeting. Each room is themed to reference a
distinguished guest that once stayed at the hotel; for example, there is moon-landing
memorabilia in a suite once used by Neil Armstrong. Front-facing rooms have
floor-to-ceiling windows that open to balconies overlooking the road (which can
be a little noisy in lower-level rooms) but also the beautiful lake and
snow-capped mountains beyond. Amenities include free Wi-Fi,
tea- and coffee-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and pay-per-view movies.
While marble tile bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, they can feel a little characterless
in comparison to the rest of the hotel. They all have tubs with hand-held showerheads, tiny separate walk-in showers, and bidets.
Features
Fine dining and rare whiskies -- though no swimming pool
An extensive
buffet breakfast is served (though not included) in the main Pavillon
Restaurant, which features a lake views and a menu of local and international
dishes for lunch and dinner. The Galerie Restaurant offers finer dining in
particularly elegant surrounds and is famed for serving the best chateaubriand
in the city. A chic bar also features a fine selection of cigars and rare whiskies,
as well as a terrace with heaters. A bright modern spa offers massage and
beauty treatments (including options for kids), as well as a sauna -- though there's no swimming pool. The gym is also very small.
