Talstrasse 1, 8001 Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland | (618) 248-8274
Luxurious hotel set on landscaped gardens on the edge of Zurich Lake
Prime location on luxury shopping street Bahnhofstrasse
Plush and elegant guest
rooms and suites with free minibars
Some rooms have views of Zurich Lake and the Alps
Three fine-dining
restaurants including the Michelin-star Pavillon
Business and fitness centers
24-hour concierge and room service
Free
Wi-Fi available throughout
No swimming pool or spa
Small fitness center
Breakfast
is pricey
Considered one of the best hotels
in Europe, the five-pearl Baur au Lac is a 170-year-old property set in beautiful gardens on the edge of
Lake Zurich, just off Zurich’s famous luxury shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse.
Its 120 guest rooms and suites are spacious and lavish, with marble bathrooms
and many luxurious extras. The hotel offers three fine-dining restaurants, one of
which has a Michelin star. Not surprisingly, the rates here are some
of the highest in the city, but the hotel lacks certain facilities commonly found in luxury properties, like a swimming pool or spa. For those added amenities, travelers might want to consider the upscale Swissotel Zurich, which also has lower rates.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Historic and exclusive luxury hotel with traditional decor
The luxurious Baur au Lac dates back to 1844 when it was opened by Johannes
Baur. Since then, six generations of the same family have owned and run
this landmark Zurich hotel. The atmosphere here is one of imposing elegance and exclusivity, which might also feel a
bit stuffy. The reception area is decorated in a traditional style with
wood paneled walls hung with rich tapestries, marble floors, and red-leather
armchairs. An ornate staircase is covered with richly-patterned carpets and bordered by green wrought-iron banisters, while stained glass windows add a regal touch. The hotel’s luxury atmosphere and vast gardens on the edge of Zurich
Lake make this a popular venue for weddings and various events. Baur au Lac
attracts a well-heeled clientele of vacationing couples and business travelers seeking a luxurious experience.
Location
Conveniently situated in central Zurich close to posh shops and tourist sights
The Baur au Lac occupies a
prime location in central Zurich at the beginning of Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. The hotel is set in large and scenic landscaped gardens
on the edge of Lake Zurich, and it's within walking distance of the business
district and many tourist sights. The city’s financial district at Paradeplatz
is a four-minute walk from here. Fraumunster church is a 11-minute walk, and Kunsthaus museum is 15 minutes away on foot. It’s a six-minute drive to the train
station, and Zurich Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
Rooms
Spacious and elegant guest rooms and suites with many ritzy extras
The
guest rooms and suites at Baur au Lac are large, especially for European
standards, from the smallest Single Rooms which are 270 square feet, to the largest Deluxe River Suite, covering an area of 1184 square feet. The Junior Suite and Deluxe Junior Suite have an open-floor plan
with a large sitting area and a separate working area, while the Deluxe River
Suite includes a kitchenette and Nespresso coffeemaker. Each category of guest
room is decorated in a different color scheme and one of three design styles: either the classical and ornate Empire style, the elegant and rather lavish
Regency, or the streamlined Art Deco style. The elegant floor lamps, objets
d’art, and artwork on the walls give the impression of a swanky home. Richly patterned carpets
and curtains as well as ornate furniture may not appeal to all tastes, however. All rooms
offer small indulgences like a pillow menu, a CD and DVD player, a free minibar, the hotel’s own brand
of bathroom toiletries, and fresh flower arrangements. Deluxe Suites have additional luxuries like marble bathrooms, a Bose
sound system and iPod docking station, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and
scenic views of the lake or mountains.
Features
Three fine-dining restaurants, garden terrace, and fitness center with a view
The Baur au Lac has most of the
usual amenities you'd expect from a luxury hotel, like a 24-hour concierge,
24-hour room service, business center, and valet parking, but a few features
are glaringly absent or not up to par: There's no swimming pool or spa and
the fitness center is small, but it does occupy an impressive location on the top
floor with mountain and lake views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Pavillon,
one of the hotel’s three restaurants, is a Zurich fine-dining destination in
itself, having been awarded a Michelin star, and
offers alfresco dining in the summer on the pleasant garden terrace. Le Hall is
another all-day fine-dining restaurant with a more casual setting, while the Rive
Gauche restaurant and bar has a more contemporary and trendy atmosphere.
Breakfast is not included in the room rate, but it's available at an extravagant price.
