Which Swiss accommodation to choose for staying in style:

After publishing part one of a guide to luxury hotels in Switzerland, here is now part two. Find here a directory for high-end accommodation when traveling my beautiful home country. While part one covered Swiss lodging in the west, the current one is primarily about southern and eastern Switzerland. All together follows a grand tour of Switzerland I proposed to travelers visiting this small yet immensely varied nation. Yet another post highlighted premium destinations in this Alpine nation.

Luxury hotels along the grand tour of Switzerland, part two

For details on how to visit Switzerland (grand tour, divided into a basic tour and 5 modular ones to add according to desire), please have a look at my correspondent blogpost.

As I already pointed out in part one, I listed all the Swiss 5-star properties (luxury) that you find on your way across the country. There will be short descriptions about the lodging along with links to detailed posts about the establishments in question. This of course only in cases I can look back to stays at these hotels.

Now to the modular tours No 3 (Zermatt-Saint Moritz), 4 (Zurich-Saint Gallen-Appenzell-Bad Ragaz) and 5 (Chur-Ticino).

Modular tour No 3: Zermatt-Saint Moritz – high-end accommodation in Switzerland’s southern Alps

Zermatt

There is no shortage of luxury hotels in Zermatt, the mountain resort with the famous Matterhorn peak. In the recent past, I spent winter vacations here three times in a row. On these occasions, I stayed at the one and only ski-in/ski-out luxury hotel in town, the Riffelalp Resort (my review).

Contrary to the other hotels to stay in style here, it is located high up in the mountains in the ski area. It is a historical property offering good wellness and restaurant facilities.

If you rather want to spend your time in Zermatt in the town, you have quite a choice. There are two contemporary luxury hotels, the Cervo Mountain Resort and The Omnia. The former is ski-in, the latter not. I recently stayed a few days at the latter and absolutely fell in love with it (my post).

Furthermore, you find here also two historical properties, the Mont Cervin Palace

and the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.

Neither of them is ski-in/ski out. All these establishments are in Zermatt’s center, The Omnia is a bit above yet with an elevator to reach it. Every single one has wellness offerings (maybe the Mont Cervin Palace has the best) and gourmet fine dining (the Mont Cervin Palace and the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof feature both one-star Michelin restaurants).

Andermatt

If you take the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Saint Moritz, you can make a stop in Andermatt. Here you find one of Switzerland’s most luxurious hotels, The Chedi Andermatt. While it certainly is a beauty and features state-of-the-art facilities, it has its price (my blogpost). And for skiers, it is practically a ski-in/ski-out resort.

Saint Moritz

This mountain resort is probably the most glamorous one in Switzerland. And of course it comes with an ample selection of luxury hotels! And this not only in Saint Moritz but in its surroundings, too.

Saint Moritz region

Similar to Gstaad, Saint Moritz is the actual “brand” but often all the hotels in the Upper Engadine are included here. Personally, I find the town of Saint Moritz not especially appealing and a bit overly pretentious. And I cannot get rid of the impression that only regular guests are welcome in many high-end accommodations. Therefore, I prefer staying in the vicinity, in the beautiful Upper Engadine.

Saint Moritz

Five luxury hotels await you here. And all of them leave nothing to be desired in terms of culinary offerings and wellness facilities. However, you usually have to dig deep in your pockets if you want to stay here in style.

Of late I spent two days at the “star hotel” here, Badrutt’s Palace,

and this while attending an event. My impression about this grand old dame may be a bit clouded because it was end of season on my stay. This meant that almost all the hotel restaurants were closed. However, my husband and I enjoyed it here (good quality rooms, newly redone; great wellness area). Albeit, chances of our staying here again are small but this is due that I am more into discreet luxury.

Zurich

It goes without saying that also Zurich – the most important and largest Swiss city – has lots of high-end lodging! Precisely said, there are nine in number. While eight are in the city’s core, one is on the lake, a bit away from the center (Alex Lake Zurich).

One of my favorite places for a staycation used to be the The Dolder Grand (my review).

It is located in the city, however a bit away from the hustle and bustle. Not only it hosts one of the best restaurants in town (two-star Michelin restaurant) but also a state-of-the-art spa. And the location is stunning, a bit away from the hustle and bustle with great views of city, lake and mountains. Unfortunately, it became a bit too expensive for what you get in my view lately.

And there are some other great picks for staying in style in Zurich. Above all, I think of the three hotels belonging to The Living Circle collection. There are two of them in the city center, Widder,

in the beautiful old town, where I stayed not a long time ago. Plus, you find the Storchen,

not far away from the former on the river Limmat,

Both are in medieval buildings and have excellent fine dining (Storchen has a one-star – see my post – and Widder even a two-star Michelin restaurant). If you want to be by the lake, you have to go their third hotel, Alex Lake Zurich.

I did this some time ago and was delighted by the location on the water. This modern accommodation is a bit out of town, has a relaxed feel and boats a one-star Michelin dining-spot too (my post).

A good alternative for staying in style in the Lake Zurich area is also Belvoir in Rueschlikon (4-star superior).

The views of lake and mountains are truly splendid and gourmet dining as well as wellness offerings are available, too (my post).

Other luxury hotels are La Réserve Eden au Lac, reopened in 2020, and the traditional Baur Au Lac. And the latest star in town is the Mandarin Oriental Savoy that reopens end of 2023.

All these establishments are old word properties and offer recommended fine dining as well as fitness facilities.

To round up the list you find in Zurich also the contemporary Park Hyatt, which is more a business hotel. It has a gourmet restaurant and a high-end fitness & spa club open for non-resident guests as well. And last there is also the Alden Suite Hotel Spluegenschloss, a smaller and lesser known 5-star property.

Saint Gallen

This mid-size city in the country’s northeast is not exactly a tourist hot spot although featuring some interesting sights. Therefore, the offerings in the luxury lodging segment is limited. Actually there is only one property (4-star superior) in town that stands out from the (average) rest. This is the Einstein.

Although being in a historical building it only became a hotel in the eighties.

Apart from featuring the best restaurant in town, a two-star Michelin restaurant, it features updated rooms and  fitness- and wellness center (open to the public too).

If you prefer staying  at a 5-star hotel, consider the not so far away Grand Resort Bad Ragaz (50 minutes by car, a bit more than an hour by train).

Bad Ragaz

Bad Ragaz might not be one of the most high profile tourist locations in Switzerland (good for hiking in the Pre-Alps, wine region), but for sure it hosts one of the country’s flagship hotels!

Here you encounter one of the leading wellbeing and health resorts in Europe, the two 5-star establishments of the Grand Hotel Quellenhof (my favorite)

and the Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz. Combined, it is the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, both historical premises.

In the past, I enjoyed two wonderful stays here (my blogpost) making use of the sheerly unbelievable amenities. There are seven restaurants with – imagine – totally six Michelin stars! It is the non plus ultra in wellness (thermal water world, spas, two fitness centers). You can go to the casino, do shopping and play golf (two courses).

Modular tour No 5: Chur-Ticino – high-end accommodation in Switzerland’s south

When staying in Bad Ragaz, Chur (where you are meant to board the Bernina Express to reach the Ticino) is close by (16 minutes by train, a bit more by car). So there is no need to look for an accommodation in Chur. In Ticino, you have to make a choice between the more urban Lugano or the leisure places of Locarno (city) or Ascona.

Lugano

As a frequent traveler to the near-Mediterranean Ticino I have already stayed at three of the four 5-star hotels here. On the latest visit, my husband and I chose the Splendide Royal

for this purpose (my post). And this is also my favorite of the moment in Lugano. This grand old dame, directly on the lake (and on the busy road, the only drawback), has everything a demanding traveler wishes for: exquisite fine dining, a new separate building with wellness and fitness as well as a central location.

Another good choice here on the same road (yet a bit away from it) is the historical Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola (my post).

While it is a bit of the city center, it is close to many sights. You find here gourmet restaurants, wellness facilities and even a small private lido.

A bit away from the city center and the lake there is a third luxury hotel where I have been to in the recent past, Villa Principe Leopoldo (my review).

It is up in the hills with magnificent views of lake and mountains. The hotel is housed in a formerly private residence and comes with a spa as well as an good fine dining restaurant (I had dinner at this Michelin listed venue when staying in Lugano in late 2020).

I also had a glimpse at the fourth hotel to stay in style in Lugano on my recent visit, the new boutique The View (opened 2015).

One night, we dined at their outstanding one-star Michelin restaurant. This modern property is up in the hills and comes with a state-of-the-art spa and fitness. And as the name says it, views from here are great.

Locarno

There is only one 5-star house in this laid-back city. And it is not even in town but high above Locarno in the neighboring village of Orselina. Its name is Villa Orselina and the name suits it perfectly. It is boutique with stunning views of lake and mountains. Onsite you find gourmet dining and spa facilities.

Yet the small community of Ascona with more lodging to stay in style is only a few minutes by car or bus away.

Ascona

In the picturesque village of Ascona you find three more luxury hotels that fulfill all the wishes discerning travelers might have. All three feature top wellness facilities and exquisite fine dining.

I have been to all of them (see my overview), not so long ago twice at the Eden Roc.

It definitely boasts the best location in town. However, it is visually not exactly appealing (a merger of three buildings). The property is right on the lake, steps away from the center yet far enough from the hustle and bustle of Ascona’s piazza. And the culinary offer is not only first-class but broad, too (one two-star Michelin dining-spot).

Every now and then, I also choose the idyllically set Castello del Sole (my post)

in Ascona’s outskirts. It is in a huge park, also on the lake. This hotel is especially suitable for guests in search of tranquility and lots of personal space. And it is the only one of the three that is housed (partly) in a historic building. Plus, you find here also one Michelin star dining.

Quite some time ago, my husband and I also opted twice for the third player in the luxury segment here, the Giardino.

Contrary to its opponents, it is not on the water but in a residential area, a bit of the center. It is kept in the Tuscan style and is perhaps the one with the most laid-back feel of the three. And foodies are well taken care of too as there is a two-star Michelin venue onsite.

Overall

Next on my blog you will learn more about where to go as a lover of fine dining in my home country. As done here, I will make suggestions along the grand tour of Switzerland (proposed in my travel guide to visiting this Alpine nation). This time regarding gourmet (Michelin) restaurants, which are plenty (part one and two).

Here in this post I advised on high-end accommodation in Switzerland, and this was part two. For the first part, have a look here. If you want to know about premium Swiss destinations, refer to my correspondent blogpost.

last revised: December 2023

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