Looking for a winter spa break in a picturesque city with romance and charm? Here’s our guide to the best Luxury and Spa Hotels in Switzerland.
Four-star B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa, Zurich
Best for: Rooftop bathing in the swiss sunshine at sunrise
The B2 urban upmarket hotel is located conveniently in the Hürlimann area in the center of Zurich, directly next to Google Switzerland. Perched a top a hill, only 5 mins by train from the centre and accessed by a lift from the train platform or a taxi to the front door.
Occupying 2 buildings and 60 rooms of the former Hürlimann brewery, one of the most important industrial monuments of the city – the architecture is an exciting bridge between the industrial history of Zurich and modern urban design, thanks to the Zurich based studio Althammer Hochuli Architeken and interior designer Ushi Tamborriello.
Upon entering the open plan lobby I get a view of the impressive architecture and ‘library’, an 11 meter high floor to ceiling shelves containing a whopping 33,0000 books across 4 walls, lined with smoked oak, beer crates instead of coffee tables and funky chandeliers hanging from the ceiling made from original Hürlimann beer bottles. A nice touch on the customer service front is each room is assigned a B2 guest ambassador. The staff are incredibly and helpful, offering an interesting tour of the hotel where I learnt all about the history.
My duplex suite was spacious, more like an apartment with a huge bath in the bedroom upstairs. The bed was super comfy and ensuring that their guests get a good nights sleep is obviously important as there are black out electric blinds and sound proofing. Loved the futurist pendant lights hanging from the ceiling courtesy of Tom Dixon
The reason I chose this hotel is because it is home to the Thermalbad and Spa, Zurich’s first thermal bath fed by an existing spring. An impressive 3,330m squared of relaxation space in the brewery’s former barrel filling area, granting access to the roof top pool plus the huge vaulted underground thermal baths and roman spa area. Although it’s independently owned, guests of the hotel get a discounted rate of entrance at 30 swiss francs instead of 60 and giving direct access via the roof pool.
At 8.00am the next morning I was bathing in the swiss sunshine at sunrise overlooking the stunning panoramic views across the church spires and snow capped mountains of Zurich.
The B2 hotel is also part of the ”hotels with a bookmark” who’s ethos is that being ‘like a good book..leaving an impression’ which it most certainly did and it’s on my list of hotels I would go back to.
Brandschenkestrasse 152
Tel: +41 44 567 67 67
zurich@b2boutiquehotels.com
Five-star Grand Hotel du Lac Spa Hotel, Vevey
Best for: A weekend romantic retreat in stunning surroundings
The sumptuous and luxurious 5-star Grand Hotel du Lac is part of the Relais & Châteaux, a group of the finest hotels in Switzerland and is located on the shores of Lake Vevey. This historic, and listed Art Nouveau building was designed by Swiss architect Ernest Burnat and the beautiful interior designed and renovated by the award winning designer, Pierre-Yves Rochon, known for his ability to mix classical and contemporary styles, and capturing the true spirit of individual properties.
Elegant and boutique with only 50 rooms it sits on the shores of Lac Leman with exceptional views over the port of Vevey, Lake Geneva and the Swiss and French Alps. My room was small but so pretty and feminine, I loved it. It reminded me of my bedroom as a little girl with floral wallpaper and pastel colours. The sun streamed through the window on a cold winters day and according to the locals in the Lavaux, they have 3 suns, due to the reflection off the lake and steep south facing hillsides.
My favourite part of the hotel is the exquisite Oriental tea room, a lush, deliciously decadent room in deepest midnight blue, filled with ornately tiled tables, hookahs and Persian knick knacks. If you are not staying in the hotel then it’s worth going to have afternoon tea as it’s one of the few hotels to offer it in the region.
In the spa there is a Turkish bath, sauna and three treatment rooms for facials, body treatments and massages. The philosophy behind the holistic treatments, proposed by Dr. Pauline Burgener is that, ”we treat your skin from within.” All hand selected, natural ingredients from the source, using the most ethical and environmentally friendly methods of production. For ultimate relaxation try the Hawaiian massage lomi lomi. There is also an outdoor pool for the summer months, open from May till September.
Rue d’Italie 1
Tel: +41 21 925 06 06
info@ghdl.ch
Five-star Lausanne Palace & Spa
Best for: Authentic Ayurvedic Spa
You can’t miss the striking palatial hotel, especially in December when the front of it is decorated like a Christmas tree with a huge and sparkling gold and red bow wrapped around it. There is something really magical about staying in a hotel during the festive period, the surrounding mountains covered in snow and going from the bitter coldness of the outside into a warm and fairytale atmosphere, first stepping on to the traditional red-carpeted hallway and into the elegant belle époque style of the ‘1915’ bar and foyer, with its marble columns and chandeliers.
The palace opened in 1861 and has played host to some extremely famous guests, including Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Tina Turner and Nelson Mandela. I don’t doubt that every guest is still treated with the same five star treatment.
Santa had already visited our room and we found a gift of chocolates, fruit and champagne on arrival. Our plush and regal suite had lake view photos from the balcony although it was so misty that we didn’t actually see the lake itself until the late afternoon of the following day when it had cleared.
The Ayurvedic spa was an absolute Moroccan dream; a maze of pools, saunas, hammams and steam rooms. All treatments are based on Ayurvedic principles using the brands AVEDA – a natural range based on plants and essential oils that care for the face and the body with the principles of ayurveda and MarocMaroc – a reinterpretation of ancestral beauty customs through modern formulas and inspired by the soft atmosphere of the hammam, the richness of the argan tree, the majesty of the rose and the authenticity of almond flowers.
We have seen photos of the hotel in the summer, which looks equally as stunning, and certainly offers more of a guarantee of the lake views! Picture yourself sat on the terrace, basking in the sunshine, with a glass of champagne in your hand!.
7-9 Rue du Grand Chêne
Tel: +41 21 331 31 31
reservation@lausanne-palace.ch
Five-star Hotel Angleterre, Geneva
Best for: Water sports, winter sports or deep relaxation
Elegantly poised at the edge of Lake Leman with magnificent views of the famous Jet d’Eau and Mont Blanc, this beautiful boutique hotel showcases British charm with the finest Swiss hospitality. Voted number one in the Top 15 Hotels in Switzerland by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017 and with many other awards & accolades it should be at the top of your list when choosing to celebrate a special moment or occasion in Geneva.
Perfectly positioned with access to the mountains less than an hour away, for those who love the outdoors and hiking. Then in the summer, there’s windsurfing and sailing available on the lake.
Massages and wellbeing treatments can be arranged to have in your room, as can yoga classes and personal trainers. For the fitness enthusiasts guests receive complimentary access to Let’s Go Fitness, a well-equipped gym facility situated just across from the hotel.
We got the opportunity to climb up to the roof of the hotel for a private showing of the lake view. Ask and you might be lucky and get one too!. The friendly manager Jean-Vital Domézon is present at the hotel to attend to his guests and all the staff are warm and helpful.
Quai du Mont-Blanc 17
Tel: +41 (0)22 906 5555
angleterre@rchmail.com
Five-star Hôtel des Trois Couronnes, Vevey
Best for: Luxurious lakeside opulence
Hôtel des Trois Couronnes is the third oldest palace in Switzerland and opened in 1842. It has hosted many crowned heads and famous musicians, writers and composers is located in Vevey, on the banks of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux and right next the UNESCO protected Lavaux vineyards. As soon as I stepped into the palace I could feel the history and the elegance of the architecture, imagining who has stayed and performed here over the years.
I spent nearly half a day in the Puressens Spa, a beautiful space that was built under the vaulted ceilings of the Château des Belles Truches, enjoying the 24-metre swimming pool with sub-aquatic music, jacuzzi, steam bath and the relaxation area which has exceptional views of the lake and mountains. It’s a great spot to relax, read a book or just take in the views. They have chosen a very exclusive Swiss brand of products byJoëlle Ciocco for the body treatments, massages and facials.
Spa packages are offered that include a night in the hotel with an exceptionally good breakfast buffet, three course gourmet menu served in their gourmet restaurant and any treatment from the spa menu.
Or there’s the retreat and detox programmes available from three to seven nights, offing each client a specific treatment package adapted to their needs and expectations: Pure Detox, Pure Beauty, Pure Balance, Pure Wellness and/or Pure Weight Loss. These treatments are accompanied by delicious menus based on light and balanced nutrition, and prepared by the head chef in consultation with a dietician.
49 Rue d’Italie
Tel:+41/(0)21.923.32.00
info@hoteltroiscouronnes.ch
Four-star Swissotel, Zurich
Best for: Mixing business with wellness
The four star Swissotel is the highest hotel in Zurich and dedicates the top (34th) floor to spa and wellbeing, with an indoor pool, bio sauna, wellness area with whirlpool hot tub, massage rooms and gym.
It’s my first time at a Swissotel and my first impression is that it’s a busy and buzzing business hotel, providing meeting rooms and a good atmosphere for post drinks, attracting a rather hip crowd who socialise and dine in the restaurant, Le Muh.
My stylish suite located on the 32nd floor is designed with the wellness traveller in mind, providing a lounge, a wellbeing wall, separate sleeping area, an open bright bathroom with walk-in shower and separate bathtub. The vitality concept is very unique for a hotel, aimed to revitalise the body, mind and soul and includes; a circadian light, air purification system, cyber trainer for functional training but also for stretching and breathing, ergonomic furniture – standing work desk, kneipp affusions in the shower, a bathtub with a Pürovel scent mist function and atmospheric lighting.
In the morning, I enjoyed another early swim in the infinity roof top pool with panoramic views of Zurich and beyond, and after a gym session a much needed 30 minute back and shoulder massage. I always feel more motivated to get out of bed and to exercise when there are city views and a massage on my agenda!
Although the location is slightly out of the city centre, I would go back to the Swissotel purely for the hipster vibe combined with the wellness element. As a wellness traveller who runs an online business, my every need was fulfilled.
Schulstrasse 44
Tel: +41 44 317 31 11
zurich@swissotel.com
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