Park Hotel Vitznau

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Location: Vitznau – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel superior
Official websiteparkhotel-vitznau.ch

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

The Chedi Andermatt

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Hotelchain: Chedi
Location: Andermatt – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel superior
Official websitethechediandermatt.com

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Named as the hotel of the year 2017 by Gault Millau, the renowned Chedi Andermatt is an ultra-luxurious five star located near Andermatt, a quiet cozy Swiss mountain village. Chic, authentic and exclusive … this is a real paradise for seekers of rest and relaxation both in winter and summer. As part of the Leading hotels of the world, the Chedi Andermatt offers only the best of the best! I was very impressed with my stay, let me tell you why…

The lobby made a perfect first impression, the overall design is very elegant and is a beautiful combination of cozy mountain design and Asian touches. Truly impressive.

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Upon arrival, I was welcomed by the most friendly front desk staff. They know how to welcome their guests in the most accommodating way! After some useful information about the hotel and its facilities, I was totally ready to explore their beautiful rooms.

The rooms at the Chedi Andermatt artfully mix the Modern Asian style with contemporary design. They embody a sense of warmth and character often lacking in other hotels. The very large and luxurious deluxe suite I stayed in had wooden walls with subtle lighting, a built-in fireplace, rich dark wood furnishings, granite-top vanities and bedside tables. The beds feature pillow top mattresses with leather headboards and fluffy comforters. Lights, doors, music and the fire place are controlled by an in-room iPad. The iPad is user friendly so no complicated maneuvers to control the lights etc. 🙂 I should also mention the mini bar with complimentary soft drinks and the Bose surround system which was a nice touch!

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The bathrooms feature convenient touches such as lots of storage cubicles and chrome fixtures. The free standing bathtub was gorgeous and relaxing after a day in the mountains. Separate toilet and rain shower were great. Premium Acqua di Parma toiletries are provided in every room.

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I was blown away with the spa area here… On 2,400 square metres, the place is huge and ultra luxurious appointed! I truly was impressed with this peace of heaven. There are two pools here to enjoy, one outdoor and one indoor pool. Both are large and in an unique setting. I enjoyed several types of saunas and a steam room as well as some very cozy relaxing areas. The whole spa area is just gorgeous and very exclusive. I could easily spend a full day here. Several body treatments are provided for guests to enjoy an indulgent, relaxing interlude after a day of sightseeing and walking outdoors.

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There are two main restaurants at the Chedi Andermatt, a Japanese Restaurant and ‘The Restaurant’.  The Japanese restaurant with executive chef Dietmar Sawyere offers authentic Japanese fine dining dishes and is specialized in sushi. It has the most extensive sake selection in Switzerland and was awarded 16 GaultMillau points. Very impressive. Decoration is Asian design and reminded me of an exclusive fine dining restaurant in the middle of Hong Kong. Do note that this restaurant is only open during the winter season.

The Restaurant is a more international cuisine restaurant with 15 GaultMillau points. The luxurious cozy mountain style pleased me. I had dinner here and was pretty impressed with the food and overall service. The friendly and courteous staff made us feel welcome and were very knowledgeable about the menu and wines. We started with their crisp Chinese Dim Sum, followed by a delicious prawn Won Ton Noodle soup. The stir-fried black pepper beef fillet with roasted garlic, peppers and shallots as a main course was excellent and to end we enjoyed the coconut panna cotta with mango, lychee and ginger granita… Loved it!

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Every morning, they serve The Chedi Grand Breakfast Buffet and ‘grand’ it was! Several local specialties such as the Swiss cheeses, salami, etc. it is all there. The buffet is rich and plentiful and definitely beats all superlatives. Do not forget to visit their cheese tower!

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Words cannot describe how beautiful this hotel is. I loved the Chedi’s contemporary spirit and combination of elegance with understated luxury. No wonder this hotel is rated among the best hotels in Switzerland! Highly recommended!

Lausanne Palace

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Hotelchain: Sandoz hotels
Location: Lausanne – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel deluxe
Official websitelausanne-palace.com

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Lausanne Palace is a five star luxury palace right in the center of Lausanne, making part of the Leading hotels of the world. Location is excellent, the palace is located near the Esplanade of Montbenon and the views of Lake Geneva are just gorgeous! The hotel was built in 1915 and is representing an important part of the historical heritage of Lausanne.

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When I entered Lausanne Palace I immediately knew that this would be a great stay. The luxurious lobby definitely is an eye-catcher with its beautiful furniture and relax atmosphere. The tree makes it even more special. Loved it!

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Let’s talk about rooms… Lausanne Palace has 138 rooms which are all decorated in a very stylish way.  The suite I stayed in was absolutely stunning and the view over Lake Geneva was just unbelievable. The suite had upscale furniture and a very comfortable living area and separate sleeping area with the most comfortable bed. A nice detail: every room comes with a complimentary minibar… Yep, that’s right, drinks in the minibar are included in the rate. The décor was contemporary and very stylish. Although the hotel has its age, the suite and rooms are recently renovated and all offer five star facilities! My favorite place in the suite definitely was the small balcony with the gorgeous panoramic views! I do recommend to book a room with a lake view, you won’t be sorry!

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Two bathrooms in the suite! One with double sink and bathtub, the other one with walk-in shower. Penhaligon’s toiletries are a plus! The suite had two toilets. Everything in the room was very well maintained.

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Lausanne Palace offer a lot of facilities to their guests. The spa center is a must visit when you are staying here. The relaxing treatments and facilities of the CBE Wellness area are designed to make you feel relaxed and reborn. Each morning, I started my day with a nice swim in the indoor pool. After that I relaxed in the jacuzzi before I enjoyed my breakfast. Other facilities are the separate male/female Finnish sauna, Moroccan hammam for men and Rhassoul for women. The fitness area is up to date with great furniture and Pilates studio. For total relaxation after the work-out, the Silent Duvet Room is a treat! Several body treatments and facials are offered as well as private spa suites. I loved the semi outdoor terrace with plenty of loungers. It was sunny when I was in Lausanne and it was divine to rest here and reading a good book.

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There are several restaurants at Lausanne Palace. La Table d’Edgard is their signature restaurant with one Michelin star and 18 points by the Gault Millau guide.

The hotel also offers more casual – but still fine dining – options. Côté Jardin for example is a very nice restaurant with a Mediterranean cuisine. We had dinner here and enjoyed it very much. Staff was excellent and sommelier was very knowledgeable about the wines. The food was very good. The antipasti buffet prepared by Chef Edgard Bovier as a starterwas a great choice! From the buffalo mozzarella to the tasty selections of meat and fish, every dish was prepared in an excellent way. The grilled sea bass with artichokes and an olive tapenade was one the best I have ever had! And at the end, we couldn’t resist the dessert buffet with pastries, fruit, cheese, etc. choices are endless! A must try is their merengue with cream… As the weather was nice, we had dinner outside with a view of the lake. It made our evening even more pleasant. The service here was out of this world, very nice, easy going and certainly not snobby or anything.

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If you are into sushi, the Palace Sushi Zen is the place to be. For more local dishes, the Brasserie du Grand Chêne is a great alternative. Of course, the hotel has several outdoor terraces where guests can enjoy their dishes while enjoying the sun and outdoor views.

Breakfast was outstanding! A nice buffet is offered with a lot of choices to start your day healthy. My favorite drink was the smoothie with ginger and freshly squeezed orange juice. So refreshing and healthy at the same time. Loved the fact that we were able to sit outside.

What a nice hotel to stay at in Lausanne. This is a high class hotel with charm and history. I loved the overall service level and many facilities. No wonder this hotel is rated among the best hotels in this town! It truly is a palace! Thumbs up, Lausanne Palace!

Riffelalp Resort – Zermatt

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Hotelchain: Sandoz hotels
Location: Zermatt – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official websiteriffelalp.com

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Located at 2222 metres above sea level, the Riffelalp resort is a five star hotel making part of the Leading hotels of the world. Europe’s highest tram way leads to the hotel, what a unique way to reach this exceptional hotel! The views from the hotel to the surrounding mountains and the majestic Matterhorn took my breath away!

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The Riffelalp Resort truly is an exclusive ‘resort’ with a tennis court, a bowling lane, outdoor playgrounds, etc. Last year, they totally renovated the hotel and today it still is a five star superior hotel with Europe’s highest wellness center. The hotel refitted in strict accordance with their prestigious past and their many individual features, each with its own style and character.

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We were warmly welcomed by the staff. I noticed that everybody seemed to be happy to be there and that they only want to offer the best to their guests. That does make a difference. I must say I loved their mountain style decoration througout the entire hotel!

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Each room at Riffelalp is luxuriously appointed and distinctive and individually designed. The charm and magic of the mountains was noticeable throughout the room we stayed in. They used a lot of wood and high quality materials to decorate their rooms which make them really cozy and comfortable. You can tell that the hotel has been renovated recently as the room looked pretty new. I loved the private panoramic terrace with Matterhorn views.

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Bathroom was spacious with separate bathtub and walk-in rain shower. There was a separate toilet, always a bonus! Again, the bathroom looked brand new. I loved the modern design! Premium l’Occitane toiletries were the best!

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Getting bored at the Riffelalp resort is impossible! Since this hotel is located in such an amazing area, they offer a lot of outdoor activities. We climbed the Breithorn for example with their amazing guide, Yann. But even if you are not into hiking, skiing, etc. guests can enjoy billiard, bowling or just experience some me-time at their amazing wellness center. Their outdoor pool with scenic views is amazing!

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Riffelalp has one of the highest spa centers in Europe! Trust me, spa facilities in such a mountain environment is pure indulgence. The hotel offers several saunas, whirlpools, an indoor and an amazing outdoor pool with gorgeous Matterhorn views as mentioned before. I must admit that those pool views are among the best I have ever seen! Truly unique! The Chriiter cave with its saline baths and waterfalls is a must visit! I got to experience the Lomi Lomu Nui treatment which is an unusual Hawaiien massage with ancient roots and traditions. The therapist used a lot of oil and made me feel relaxed in just seconds. This 85’ treatment definitely is a must try when you are experiencing stress and want some me-time.

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There are three restaurants at the Riffelalp Resort: Ristorante Al Bosco, Restaurant Alexandre and Restaurant Walliserkeller which is open during the winter season only. I would classify the main restaurant Alexandre as their signature restaurant offering an international cuisine. The thing I liked about Ristorante Al Bosco – besides their outstanding menu – is the large outdoor terrace with panoramic views. We had dinner at Al Bosco and started with a delicious beef filet carpaccio. The carpaccio was served as it should be with delicious parmesan cheese and garden rocket. The Grilled rib-eye-steak with café de Paris butter was outstanding and the warm apple strudel with vanilla sauce as dessert was to die for!

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As mentioned before, the staff was very friendly and kind making sure we enjoyed ourselves. Their high level of hospitality was noticeable throughout our stay.

The Riffelalp Resort is a luxurious five star resort with a unique location. This hotel made me feel relaxed and pampered. The unique views of the majestic Matterhorn are just incredible! Cannot say enough good things about this hotel!