Stroll along Lake Zurich’s tree-lined promenade, past sun-drenched cafes, idyllic harbors, and Caribbean-hued swimming spots, and you can’t help but fall in love with this City of Water. Better yet, check into one of these dreamy Zurich escapes for the ultimate lakeside fairytale.
1. Eden au Lac
This unmistakable 1909 neo-baroque property with blue-and-white striped window dressings on the shores of Lake Zurich is what Swiss dreams are made of. Light-flooded interiors marry original marble floors, decorative columns, crystal chandeliers, and antique furnishings with pops of beach-cottage chic. But it’s the rooms with ridiculously big balconies and panoramic lake views backdropped by the region’s majestic Alps that will have your eyeballs popping. Take a dip in the lake’s historic swimming lido just across the road; in the evening hit the hotel’s outdoor Skybar for cheese fondue and unrivaled 360-degree sites.
2. Baur au Lac
From the driveway stocked with Rolls Royces and Ferraris to the glitzy “Le Hall” lounge recently revamped to gilded glamour, this 1844 icon is drenched in luxury and history. Marc Chagall sketched here; peace deals were made here. Expect original etched-glass walls and stained glass windows, custom-made everything, and possibly the best skyline from a gym hotel ever. Rooms are over-the-top sumptuous with art deco-inspired furnishings, marble fireplaces, huge walk-in closets, in-mirror TVs, and romantic lake or courtyard vistas. Not to miss: the hotel’s annual Art in the Park featuring modern works by world-renowned artists dotting the property’s impeccably manicured gardens along Lake Zurich.
3. Storchen Zurich
Cue the swans. This 650-year-old pink-hued inn set on turquoise-clear River Limmat looks straight out of a storybook. And the to-die-for views are worth every Swiss franc you’ve got. Snag a balcony suite and your French doors will open to the city’s gingerbread skyline, the twin-towered Grossmünster Church, quaint pedestrian bridges arching over Lake Zurich vistas, and white swans gracing the waters below. Al fresco breakfast on the terrace overlooking the picturesque river is a must with some of the biggest and best tasting omelets. And when you’re ready to hit the sights, charming Old Town and a riverboat dock are just outside the door.
4. Park Hyatt Zurich
This minimalist glass-and-steel property— just a stone’s throw from Lake Zurich—has understated luxury nailed. After being welcomed red-carpet style into the airy, two-story lobby with a bamboo garden you’ll be whisked straight up to your spacious suite for your own private check-in. Rooms are decked in high-end comforts with ultra-soft Italian linens, huge soaking tubs, door-less rain showers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and contemporary rich-wood furnishings. Snag a cozy club chair in The Lounge, bite into delicious “beauty, mood, and brain food,” be blown away by the knockout service…and try not to be too obvious people-watching the dripping wealthy.
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