After a hectic ten months, I needed a trip to Switzerland. Not to explore, but rather, restore. Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne provided a vital medicine. The property, located on a mountain ridge above Lake Lucerne, is the kind of place you check into to breathe life back again when you’ve lost your way amid the chaos of the city. It’s where you can switch off and leave it up to a team of professionals to plan and execute the perfect itinerary, whether light or heavy. I try not to travel alone, but Bürgenstock was the Zen opportunity I was looking for, allowing me a weekend to seek the slow, solo.

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa Bedroom and bathroom
The Contemporary Lake View Bay Suite is a slice of serenity up on the cliff. I spent many hours here off-technology

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own

Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne review

The celebrity hideout

Audrey Hepburn loved it so much, she moved here for a decade. She, along with a slew of A-listers over the last century, called Bürgenstock their home away from home. Guests could want nothing more with the current list of amenities: four hotels, a Health and Medical Excellence Centre, Residence Suites with hotel service, business facilities, two wellness oases (Bürgenstock Alpine Spa and Waldhotel Spa), and ten restaurants, bars & lounges. Phew. Let’s not forget the three Michelin-starred property is nestled among Swiss nature, spanning 60 acres. 

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa Summer Exterior
Every turn is a postcard, no matter the season at Bürgenstock

These vistas are like those of a screensaver. It all felt somewhat unreal as I ascended to reception via a funicular. The rest of the world, delightfully distant.

Rooms and suites

High up in the hills, know that any room at Bürgenstock has uninterrupted sights, whether that be of the shimmering Lake Lucerne below or the rolling green hills that surround. They’re tempting enough to keep you robed by the fit-to-the-rim window with the DND button on all day. 

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa living room with fireplace and views across the lake
My suite was made extra cosy thanks to the glass fireplace in the living room

I checked into a Contemporary Lake View Bay Suite, which, exactly as its name suggests, boasts the property’s most coveted views. My hours as a result of these vistas melted away, in the morning over an in-room breakfast starring Swiss cheese, or at sunset, where I followed circling boats in coffee company.

Though this very much is a modern luxury hotel (at least in my contemporary building), the way it’s outfitted adds an alpine cabin warmth to the stay. Rich woods, earth tones, and a glass fireplace facing both the bathroom and the living space were a warm hug on a chilly day. 

Sure, there was an Apple TV and ultra-fast Wi-Fi, but they’re no match for an Etro bubbled square bathtub. With my swims in the spa, I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much of a weekend blissfully in water. 

Food and drink

There are plenty of F&B outlets right on-site to more than satisfy any craving during your stay. They include Brasserie Ritzcoffier, French classics in an elegant setting at the Palace Hotel; Parisa for Persian Cuisine with views over Lake Lucerne; Taverne 1879 for Swiss cuisine; and bars, Lakeview Bar & Cigar Lounge (try the Swiss wine!), Salon 1903, and the Verbena Bar.

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa's Spices Restaurant exterior
Spices Kitchen and Terrace showcases the best from across Asia, paired with exquisite European wines

On night one, I dined at the Spices Kitchen & Terrace, where you’re pulled in by the kitchen aromas at the entrance. It marries four country cuisines – Japan, China, India and Thailand – in one space, and as someone who has lived in Asia, I can verify the team has done an authentic take on every dish. Now, while we seldom pair wine with food in Asia, it absolutely should be done here. Spices was honoured with a “Best Award of Excellence” from the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, and well, this is Europe after all. You know it’s stellar bottles only.

The next day, I had dinner at Oak Grill & Pool Patio, and even though I opted out of red meat, I still enjoyed wood-fire grilled items via seafood. The highlight was my waiter-recommended Baked Alaska, flamed in front of me with the most incredible torched outer and ice cream centre combination. Dining alone is something I want to do more often. It’s a chance for every sense to taste, especially in surroundings such as this (the Oak Grill is right above the towering spa). A bit like when you go to a museum and want to focus on art instead of the conversation.

Wellness

What Bürgenstock does best is undoubtedly its spas. There are two luxury options. The Bürgenstock Alpine Spa is actually the largest hotel spa in Switzerland and was fully renovated in 2017. The other is the Waldhotel Spa, which adopts a holistic ‘healthy by nature’ concept.

At both of them, you can sign up for a Hydrothermal Journey. Here, select a desired outcome, between relax, regenerate and activate, and then be given a small waterproof map outlining the route of the selected journey. These journeys have been carefully developed to optimise the wellness experience and range from vitality pools, different types of saunas, cold plunges, and Kneipp walks.

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa Infinity Pool
It’s hard not to want to capture this incredible infinity pool for later

I created my own hot and cold ritual. Afterwards, I went up to the infinity pool, and while the signs say ‘no photos’, the sights were too good not to capture. Understandably, I spied many couples sneaking infinity selfies, but I myself could refrain. The views from my suite were equal social gold, if I were to use social media right now…

How I switched off

As much as I was curious about exploring Lucerne, I wanted to relax. I savoured the time on my suite sofa reflecting on previous travels with physical photobooks rather than scrolling (I recently made a couple of Papier softbooks for my coffee table, but they were light enough for carry-on). Each evening, I did a meditation routine next to the fireplace, dabbing and spritzing Neal’s Yard and A.Vogel remedies and playing soft music from my phone (on aeroplane mode).

Of course, there’s plenty to do while housekeeping is refreshing your space, mostly centred on pampering or exercise. Aside from the spa, there’s golf, tennis, hiking, biking, ice skating, water sports (and shopping if you count retail therapy as, well, therapy). The Hammetschwand Lift, the highest outdoor lift in Europe, takes guests to the top of the Bürgenberg with a 360° panorama. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the lift. It’s an icon.

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa Cinema
Guests can sit back and watch a movie in the hotel’s own luxury cinema as well as a slew of other activities

Getting there

I reached Bürgenstock Resort from Zurich airport, from there taking an hour train ride to a shuttle boat from Lucerne and then the Bürgenstock funicular up to reception. Those arriving by private jet can use Buochs Airport, which is 15 minutes from the resort, and those by helicopter can use one of several landing areas. The area is also well-linked by public transport.

Find out more about Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia

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