Location: Vitznau – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel superior
Official website: parkhotel-vitznau.ch
Genuine, unique and authentic. These are just some of the word I can use to describe my stay at the legendary Park Hotel Vitznau, often rated among Europe’s best hotels. I have hardly ever experienced a hotel with such unparalleled service and character. The hotel itself, their staff and overall facilities made my stay unforgettable… Let me tell you why…
The hotel is located within a huge luxurious lakeside villa near the small village of Vitznau. The views of Lake Lucerne took my breath away. Words cannot describe how beautiful the scenery here is. The surrounding Swiss mountains made me feel small and relaxed at the same time. The surrounding views kind of inspired me, I could sit on their terrace all day long.
Right upon arrival, I felt the personal service they provide here at Park Hotel Vitznau. After staying at among the best hotels worldwide, I was impressed with the personal touch and service here. Every guest is treated as a true guest where nothing is asked for too much. Lobby area is bright and I appreciated the luxurious but not too formal atmosphere.
After a very nice check-in, my room keys were handed. For some hotels, check-in is just some administration that has to be done. At Park Hotel Vitznau, they take their time to get to know you and make sure you feel at ease at any moment.
And then it was time to explore our room. At Park Hotel Vitznau there are no regular rooms, just junior suites, suites and residences, each decorated differently with an eye for details. The in room facilities at the rooms are more than what I expect of a luxury five star hotel! For example, the door of our room opened automatically when we approached the room. It is so convenient when you just have the key card in your pocket, you can enter your room without actually using the key. Although I wouldn’t call the room we stayed in a (junior) suite, the room was comfortable and had all the amenities of a five star hotel.
Large luxurious granite bathroom featured large and amazing jacuzzi bathtub and huge walk-in (rain) shower. As one would expect from an ultra-luxurious hotel like this, plenty of Molton Brown toiletries are provided.
The use of the minibar is included with a great selection of soft drinks and wine. Other room facilities I liked were the use of an iPad, Blueray player and Nespresso coffee machine.
There’s a lot to do at Park Hotel Vitznau. Be sure to check out their spa facilities with unparallelled lake and mountain views. The indoor and outdoor pools are perfect to relax and enjoy the surrounding areas. Several saunas are available too at no additional charges. The hotel even has its own ice cave with icy walls, very cool and the perfect spot to cool down after a sauna visit!
For ultimate relaxation, guests can book one of their signature La Prairie treatments. I experienced the La Prairie men‘s facial which was outstanding. The facial began with a detailed consultation of my skin. This facial is specifically tailored to clean and relax the skin. It was also very relaxing as the therapist massaged my legs and arm while I had a facial mask. The therapist and Spa Manager Meryem was a true professional. At the end, she gave me advice and tips to achieve the best possible results.
The two restaurants at the Park Hotel Vitznau constitute an undeniable lure to all food lovers. Both restaurants have Michelin stars. Restaurant Focus has two Michelin stars and offers a modern Swiss cuisine. Their chef, Nenad Mlinarevic, was named chef of the year by Gault & Millau in 2016! Their other restaurant, PRISMA, has one Michelin star and an outstanding 16/20 score by Gault & Millau. This is where I had dinner and can’t say enough good things about this restaurant.
The culinary journey I made here was flawless. Every bite of every course was an adventure of flavors and we wanted more of everything! The food was beautifully presented and tasted even better. From the crispy pork belly with scallop, homemade kimchi and radish to the apricotsorbet with yoghurt, almond and lime, every single dish was divine!
The timing between the courses was perfectly measured which made me feel that we had not eaten that much. The service was very kind, professional and attentive.
After a wonderful night (the beds are amazing!) we were ready for breakfast. Honestly, it was the best breakfast I have ever experienced at any hotel. There’s a small buffet with a great selection of fresh fruit, pastries, etc. There’s even a small kids buffet with candies (and even Kinder chocolate eggs…). The all included à la carte options are endless and there’s something for everyone including some delicious egg dishes and pancakes. Some highlights for me were the caviar specialties slices of Grand Cru ham and truffle brie. They also serve some more healthy options such as the vegan quinoa-chia pudding with raisons or the avocado with herbal salad, cottage cheese and pumpernickel. I loved the fresh juices, especially the ‘Vital Boost’ with orange, apple, ginger and beetroot.
I should also highlight the hotel’s wine collection! They have around 35,000 bottles of wine spread over 6 wine cellars. Wine tasting is possible… very impressive collection, unseen!
Incredible how they were able to exceed my expectations at Park Hotel Vitznau. It’s all about the small things to life by taking the personal service to heart, making my stay here memorable, unique and truly authentic!