Soak Up St. Moritz
Experience the elegant, refined world of luxury nestled in the scenic Swiss Alps
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W hen you’re planning a holiday to Switzerland, lush, rolling hills carpeted with spring flowers, charming villages, majestic snow-capped Swiss Alps and charming towns steeped in history and culture spring to mind. What if we told you that in addition to all this, you will also be treated to a world of luxury experiences?
Switzerland’s iconic hotels, world class events, therapeutic spa experiences, chic ski resorts, gourmet cuisine and stunning scenery are just some of the reasons why this beautiful country has stolen the hearts of royals, glitterati and celebs from across the world.
We take you through some of the most popular luxury destinations of Switzerland for a glimpse of how the rich and famous travel.
ST. MORITZ - PINNACLE OF LUXURY
Graceful, glamorous and sophisticated, that’s St. Moritz for you! No wonder then, that this alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley sets the bar for luxury! With its plush hotels, stunning spas, designer stores, and award-winning restaurants, you’ll feel the cosmopolitan vibe here like nowhere else. One of the most iconic hotels here, the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains reflects the seamless coming together of a century-old grand hotel tradition, exclusivity and sublime luxury. Home to many famous names such as Natalie Portman, Prince Charles and Hugh Grant and our very own dashing Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, this hotel has been hosting guests since 1864. St. Moritz originally became famous attracting high-society visitors from all over Europe in the early 19th century because of its mineral spring discovered 3,000 years ago. Guests at the Kempinski Grand Hotel can enjoy the healing properties of the spring from a fountain located in the spa area of the hotel.
Other top addresses in St. Moritz are the 120-year-old Badrutt’s Palace that exudes a timeless regal experience and the 160-year-old Kulm Hotel situated in the heart of the town that has the best views of Lake St. Moritz and the surrounding mountains from its outdoor pool. The spa facilities here are sublime and popular for detox and regeneration treatments.
For those who define luxury by the food they eat, St. Moritz is the culinary hot spot with its 300 restaurants, including six Michelin Star eateries. With popular events like White Turf horse races, Ice-Cricket, and the Snow Polo World Cup, St. Moritz is attracting the rich and famous aptly making it the perfect premium destination.
There is no doubt that a holiday to Switzerland is incomplete without a ride on one of its panoramic trains. The famous Glacier Express offers a very exclusive experience – the brand new Excellence Class. This promises passengers the most comfortable ride that comes with sweeping panorama views, guaranteed window seats, premium multi-course meals with wine, a dedicated bar – The Glacier Bar and personal travel guidance among a host of other amenities.
LAKE GENEVA REGION – A HIDDEN GEM
Located in the French-speaking part of western Switzerland, the Lake Geneva region is oldworld, refined luxury at its best, gracefully blending history, culture, cuisine, wine and music. Over the years, Lake Geneva – the largest fresh water lake in Western Europe, has been the home for the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. The region, with its steep vineyards surrounding the lake, produces excellent wine paired best with freshly-caught local fish. Boasting the highest concentration of Michelin and Gault et Millau restaurants in Switzerland, you could spend weeks indulging in the finest culinary creations. On an idyllic summer day, take the
boats on the lake and take in the stunning views of the Swiss and French Alps. Wine lovers can head to the terraced sun-drenched Lavaux vineyards. Home to the Chasselas white grape and named a Unesco heritage site, the vineyards are a great place to sample Swiss wines and local food. Enjoy a stroll through the picturesque villages or board the Lavaux Express train to explore the region.
A vibrant resort town, Montreux has a huge musical history. Home to the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival, it has witnessed historic performances by artistes like Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder. Being an avid music lover himself, Ranveer Singh savoured a slice of this festival at the Montreux Jazz Café, known for its passionate combination of music and fine dining.
The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is the place to stay when in Montreux. This historic and elegant hotel features several onsite dining areas, bars, lounges and cafes. It has an indoor and outdoor pool with stunning views, and amazing spa facilities. No wonder then that this property has been hosting quite a few splendid Indian weddings. Make it your base for the region’s top excursions like Chillon Castle, Chaplin’s World and Glacier 3000.
As one of the leading gastronomic cities of Switzerland, Lausanne is an absolute haven for your culinary delights. The Beau-Rivage Palace, where you’d want to stay, not only offers the most exquisite holiday in the magnificent Belle Epoque surroundings but also top culinary experiences. At the helm of its fine dining, is ‘Le Restaurant – Anne Sophie Pic’, curated by the famous 3 Michelin Star French chef herself. You can also hop on the Beau-Rivage Palace’s private lake cruise, where chefs prepare delicious meals for a perfect gourmet experience. Also known as an oasis of wellness, the Beau-Rivage Palace’s famous Cinq Mondes Spa provides the best wellbeing and relaxation experiences. The Olympic Museum with its inspiring and interactive exhibition is only a stone’s throw away and the beautiful Ouchy quarter invites you to take a leisurely stroll along the lakeside.
ZEST OF ZURICH
Known as one of the top cities in the world offering the best quality of life, Zurich thrives on a pulsating nightlife, highend shopping, mouth-watering food, art and culture including dramatic opera, ballet and concert performances and over 150 museums and galleries. Your choice of luxury accommodation in Zurich is as big as it is varied. Whether it is the traditional Dolder Grand high above the city’s rooftops, the elegant Baur au Lac directly on Lake Zurich, the contemporary Park Hyatt in the heart of the city, or the Hotel Atlantis by Giardino with the natural surroundings of its green and peaceful location at the foot of the Üetliberg mountain – no matter where you stay, you’ll experience the best that Swiss hospitality can offer. Bahnhofstrasse, probably the world’s most luxurious shopping street, stretches over 1.5 kms from Lake Zurich to the main station and is lined with the most illustrious watch and jewellery boutiques, fashion designers from all over the world, top-end department stores and shops with high-quality Swiss products.
Of course, no trip to Switzerland is complete without stocking up on the best chocolate in the world and there is no place better than Zurich for that. Confiserie Sprüngli at Paradeplatz has been indulging customers for more than 175 years with its exquisite range of products. People come from afar for their minimacaroons called Luxemburgerli. At Bahnhofstrasse, you find the family-owned Läderach Chocolatier, known for its high quality pralines, truffles and chocolates. But of course, you will find understated luxury Swiss style all over Switzerland. Be it in ultra-glamorous Gstaad or Zermatt, home of the Matterhorn, if you want to go deluxe, plan your trip to Switzerland now.