Short stay & dine around in luxury hotels of the Living Circle group:

The Lake Zurich area is not exactly a vacation spot for leisure travelers. Yet it is a lovely patch of earth not far from the city of Zurich. When I heard of the existence of the luxury Hotel Alex Lake Zurich just at the lake shore, I put it on my bucket list for a future stay. Later on – when it became part of The Living Circle group – , I was even more eager to go here because of its “dine around” options at some of the best Michelin starred dining-spots in Zurich.

In need of a getaway in these Corona times, my husband and I together with friends booked a short stay at Hotel Alex Lake Zurich. In this context, you have to know that in Switzerland you could only dine at hotel restaurants (indoors) at the time of our visit. And this was solely possible for hotel guests. Of course this made us opt for staycations every now and then of late. We also had been in Lucerne, a post follows in the time to come.

Back to Hotel Alex Lake Zurich, I want to let you know a few facts about it before coming to the details of my stay.

Some background info on Hotel Alex Lake Zurich

The “Alex” is the one and only five-star hotel that is directly located – not separated by a road – on Lake Zurich. In fact there is only one other premium accommodation here that has such an asset. And this is Romantik Seehotel Sonne Kuesnacht, a four-star hotel. For me this location advantage was per se a reason to think about staying at Hotel Alex Lake Zurich. Of course, there are lots of other causes to do so but before going into them, first a few words to the hotel’s eventful past.

History of Hotel Alex Lake Zurich

The hotel is not a historic one, albeit this is different for the site that was here before. On this very spot, there used to be a shooting club. After the training, the club members had drinks at the associated Restaurant Schuetzenhaus (Restaurant House of the Shooters). Its construction goes back to the year of 1589. A long time afterwards – the shooters had already moved on – , in 1952, the restaurant had to be torn down due to dilapidation. And not much later – in 1958 – , Hotel Alex’s journey began, and this as Hotel Alexander.

The hotel was constructed at the exact spot of the former shooting club’s restaurant, directly at the lake. Over the years, it saw quite many owners and managers. In the early 2000’s, a building application to the local authorities was submitted. The Alexander had to be enlarged in order to still be economical. After going through a long authorization procedure, the reconstruction was finally approved in 2012.

In 2019 – after four years of remodeling – it was opened under a new name, Hotel Alex, short for Alexander. It was managed by the Campbell Gray hotel group. But as it seems, the relaunch was not necessarily a successful one. Only one year later, the management changed to The Living Circle hotel group.

Find in the following what it is about this luxury hotel group.

About The Living Circle

The Living Circle stands for four hotels – including the Alex Lake – , two farms and two other restaurants (not at a hotel). And the farms’ produce goes to the associated houses.

Following hotels belong to this hotel group, all of them are luxury ones. There is the Castello del Sole in Ascona, where I have stayed several times already.

Find here an overview post on luxury hotels in Ascona where it is mentioned, too. My last visit to this fabulous hotel dates some time back, but I will be at the Castello del Sole again soon. And of course I will write a report about my stay. Further, there are the two city hotels in Zurich, Hotel Widder and Hotel Storchen. And now there also is Hotel Alex Lake on Lake Zurich.

It is a nice collection, as I think. I have not yet stayed at the two city hotels in Zurich, but their two Michelin starred restaurants have had been on my bucket list of dining-spots to go for some time. The Living Circle is privately owned, and this by the Anda and Franz-Buehrle families.

Now a few words to the Zurich hotels of The Living Circle.

The Zurich hotels of The Living Circle

I will not go into much details of the two city hotels in Zurich. Here are just a few selected facts on these five-star accommodations.

First to the Hotel Storchen Zurich.

It is a historic hotel, directly located on the river Limmat. You find 66 rooms at this boutique-style accommodation, all of them recently renovated (2017). The same is true for the rest of the hotel. In terms of gastronomy, I would like to highlight the signature restaurant here, La Rôtisserie. Here you get Stefan Jaeckel’s Michelin one-starred cuisine, who has worked here since May 2019. I had dinner here on my recent stay at Hotel Alex Lake Zurich. More about it later on.

Secondly, to the Hotel Widder.

This is rather a new hotel, opened 1995. However its roots go back to the middle age. Eight historic old town buildings merged to this lodging, featuring 49 rooms, so it is boutique, too. On the culinary side, a special mention deserves here the Michelin two-star Widder Restaurant, where Stefan Heilemann has been in charge since June 2020. It has been on my bucket list ever since, however I consider it as dining-spot for a special occasion – which has not come yet.

As to Hotel Alex Lake Zurich, more to staying and dining in style here in the next paragraphs.

Staying in style at Hotel Alex Lake Zurich

Location

As mentioned, the Alex is directly on Lake Zurich, and this in the town von Thalwil, on the western lake shore. From the Zurich main train station you can reach it in about ten minutes by train plus another ten minutes by foot. I suppose they get you at the train station if desired. And by car you need 20 minutes from the same departure point. And note that there is a busy road just behind the hotel. Yet I think that all the rooms are directed towards the lake.

Ambiance

The Alex Lake is a five-star hotel, which you do not immediately grasp because if feels rather relaxed. On our arrival, we were properly welcomed, however the reception area is a bit special. There are only two office desks with chairs you could not use – probably due to the pandemic, and this in cramped spaces.

Staff was friendly and hospitable, yet a bit overwhelmed at certain times. We had to inquiry about our luggage that was not delivered to our room in due time. Then it immediately came and the doorman was very apologetic. At the restaurant, the servers had to wait not only the tables indoors but also the ones at the outdoor restaurant, and both were relatively packed. You have to know in this regard that at the time, you could dine in the restaurants’ interiors only as hotel guests, but the exteriors were open to external ones, too (Corona measures)! So, we had to wave to the waiter for assistance every now and then, but it was nothing too bad.

One more thing, as to the other guests. On our stay, the audience was rather on the younger side. There were quite a number of expats, as I thought. And lots of families with babies. I suppose this is due to the fact that all the rooms have a kitchenette, which comes handy for such a clientele.

Facilities

Together with the two city hotels of The Living Circle – Hotel Storchen and Hotel Widder – Hotel Alex Lake Zurich is a city and lake resort. And as both Hotel Alex and Hotel Storchen have a jetty, it is possible for hotel guests from all three hotels to use the Alex motorboat, be it for having dinner at a sister hotel – as we did – , going shopping in the city or having a swim in the lake.

At Hotel Alex you find a restaurant, a bar

and a residents’ lounge. Furthermore, there is a hammam style spa with steamroom, sauna and vitality pool plus a gym. You also can do watersports just as swimming, stand-up paddling or rowing (a well-known rowing club is just next door).

Our party of four had dinner at the restaurant – more in the separate paragraph – and had a drink at the bar but did not use the spa or other facilities.

Rooms/Pricing

There are 44 contemporary styled rooms, all with a kitchenette as well as a dining- and sitting area. They all have either a balcony, terrace or French windows, depending on the room category. And all of them have lake views. The least expensive category is the Design Double Room (28 sqm), the most expensive is the Penthouse Three Bedroom Suite (120 sqm).

Our party of four opted for two rooms from the second least expensive category, the Studios. Here there are three options, the Lake Level Deluxe Studios (39 sqm), the Garden Deluxe Studios with Patio (28 sqm) and the Lakeview Deluxe Studios with Balcony (32 sqm). These three categories are priced differently, although not much so. We chose the most expensive of these three sub-categories, the Lakeview Deluxe Studio with Balcony.

Let me make some remarks to the other two. While I generally find rooms on the lake level appealing, I do not consider the first mentioned category as especially attractive. This is due to the fact that there is a walkway directly in front of the rooms, which are in addition below the walkway’s level. As to the ones with patio, these are just behind the outdoor restaurant, what I find not particularly ideal.

Before coming to the room (category) we had, there is one more thing to mention in the context of accommodations at Hotel Alex Lake. I mentioned before that you find a kitchenette at every unit. That is because they also address (business) guests in need of longer stays in the Zurich (and Zug) area.

Lakeview Deluxe Studio with Balcony

As to the Lakeview Deluxe Studio with Balcony, they are on the upper floors (third and fifth). Ours was on the fifth, just in the corner of the lower angled building that is set back from the lake and where the terrace restaurant is in front of it. Unfortunately, you have no panorama view of the lake here – and no alps view either – , as the higher (original) building stands in the way. Notwithstanding that, the vista is great, you can even see as far as to the city of Zurich.

I have to point out that we had asked for a twin-bedded room, and we got one of the few they have. And it was a handicapped accessible one! Compared with the regular one our friends had, it featured a larger bathroom but alas without the beautiful chaise longue they had.

As to the decor, the rooms are contemporarily furnished with lots of wooden details and a harmonious color concept. Our bathroom was a bit special as it was suitable for disabled guests, too. It had an oversized open shower and only one (small) sink.

As to the pricing, we paid 485 SFR/US$ per room and night in the shoulder season, and this on a holiday long weekend. As mentioned, it was in Corona times when restaurants were still closed – and hotel restaurants only open to hotel guests. And this rate included breakfast, which was very good. There was no buffet, you could make your selection out of varied menu. I found we had value for money.

After all these details to our hotel stay, now to what it is about dining here.

Dining in style at Hotel Alex Lake Zurich and at Hotel Storchen Zurich

As I already let you know, our party of four had dinner not only at the Alex Lake but also at the sister Hotel Storchen. First to the latter.

Alex Lake boat shuttle to Zurich city

We had booked well in advance the Alex boat shuttle from Thalwil to Zurich city.

Note in this context that the last one from Hotel Alex leaves at 5:30 p.m. If you want to leave later, then you have to inquiry for a private rental of the boat (with driver), which costs you 380 SFR/US$ for one hour. The boat trip lasts about 20 minutes.

And it was such a tremendous ride! We were lucky to have had perfect weather. First, we headed across Lake Zurich towards Zurich and then entered the Limmat river.

After two bridges, we got to the Storchen’s jetty.

What a feeling to arrive by boat attracting all the looks from the people having a drink at the hotel’s riverside bar!

Before going to dinner, we decided to stroll through the picturesque old town streets. And this not without having a look at the other sister hotel, the Widder and its acclaimed Michelin two star restaurant.

Dining at Michelin 1-star Restaurant La Rôtisserie at Hotel Storchen Zurich

As you know by now, Stefan Jaeckel is here in charge at the awarded La Rôtisserie (one star Michelin and 17 points Gault Millau). When renewing Hotel Storchen back in 2017, the signature dining-spot’s beautiful historic premises underwent a soft renovation, too. And it is a feast for the eyes, more than ever!

The view of river, lake, the Grossmuenster church and Alps is breathtaking. If the weather allows it, there also is a wonderful terrace. On our evening, outdoor seating was not not possible, but we got the possibly best table in terms of views indoors.

On offer here is a modernized French cuisine with multiple influences from Asia and elsewhere. If you insist on having the house’s long time classics just as Zurich-style veal stripes, they will do it for you. But a better choice to fully explore the chef’s skills is certainly the tasting menu.

5-course tasting menu at La Rôtisserie

You can choose either from an à la carte menu or go for the tasting menu. As to the latter, there are four to seven courses costing from 145 to 185 SFR/US$. I consider the pricing as adequate. After all it is a Michelin one star establishment and we are in Zurich, one of the world’s most expensive cities. Ourselves, we decided to have five courses from the multi-course menu.

After some inventive snacks

we started with scallop & crab “salad” paired with coconut foam, shiso and avocado. This was a fine dish with a smooth, velvety character.

The next one, Balfego tuna “tataki” in unison with white asparagus, fried onions and crispy pork was promising, too. The high-quality, medium-fatty tuna had an intense flavor and almost melted in the mouth. However, the asparagus tatar was for me a bit too hard in texture.

We proceeded with my favorite course of this evening, “glazed” halibut with Asian vegetables, miso and yellow curry foam. What a perfectly matched composition!

The main course was a highlight as well, summer deer, once roasted pink, the other time as stew. And this came with pointed cabbage, a cherry and a tasty jus. And there was a wonderful dim sum to complement the whole, filled with vegetables and mushrooms.

The sweet end was “iced” rhubarb in combination with rice, anise and lemon grass. That was a beautiful combination of tastes, textures and flavors.

And some petit fours rounded up the dinner.

Staff is cordial, eager to help and attentive. You are here in elegant surroundings yet the staff is not overly formal. We felt well at ease here. There is nothing to fault as to service!

And now to the restaurant of our hotel, the Alex Lake.

Dining at Restaurant Alex at the luxury Hotel Alex Lake Zurich Thalwil

UPDATE 2: chef Michael Schuler left and started at Restaurant Krone in Regensberg in March 2024

UPDATE 1: concept change, gourmet restaurant Aqua integrated in Alex Restaurant, overseen by chef Michael Schuler as from August 2023

I knew the restaurant from an earlier dinner and wanted to return to have more of the refined Asian inspired cuisine by Tino Staub. Before working here, he used to be chef at Restaurant Widder (15 points Gault Millau), at the sister hotel. Upon arrival of top shot Stefan Heilemann, he had to give way and found a new employment at the Alex.

In appearance, Restaurant Alex is an absolute gem of a dining-spot. It looks like a cuboid hovering over the water.

On three sides, there are almost floor-to-ceiling windows.

And there is a protected outdoor terrace dining, too. On our visit, it was not warm enough to dine outside, which was a pity. Because the premises are really nice. So our party of four took a seat inside, and this in rather tight spaces (the tables are rather narrow). The decor is similar to the one in the guest rooms, modern, with lots of wood and harmonious in color.

In terms of food, we could make our choice out of an à la carte offer. There was no multi-course menu available as it was on our last visit. While the selection is not large, we did not have problems to find something that suited us.

I started with a ceviche made with gilthead sea bream, accompanied by avocado, mango and pomegranate seed.

And it was delicious!

For main, I stuck to Asian food, green Thai curry with chicken, Thai eggplant, Thai basil and basmati rice.

And although it was “only” a simple dish, it was immaculately done.

To end the dinner, I stayed true to my today’s style, and ordered a classic, a coffee ice cream.

It was good, its size a bit too big for me. A fellow diner raved about the miso cake. It was served with strawberries, bergamot and sake-tarragon sorbet.

I knew right away that I should have ordered it, too!

As to the restaurant ambiance, you get here fine dining yet is rather an uncomplicated place. Do not expect formal service here.

Overall

Why not vacationing on Lake Zurich? Especially so at the luxury Hotel Alex Lake Zurich, a stylish hotel that almost merges with the lake! You can have a fine Asian inspired meal here in a relaxed atmosphere, either at the gorgeous restaurant or on the fabulous terrace. And if you care for Michelin starred cuisine, take the Alex boat and head to the sister hotels Storchen (one star Michelin La Rotisserie Restaurant) – as I did – or Widder (two stars Michelin Widder Restaurant).

Date of stay: May 2021

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