Luxury Switzerland: Hiking and Wellness Private Tour

The historic 5-star Hotel Baur au Lac sits on the shore of Lake Zurich, set within its own expansive park, yet within walking distance of Zurich’s high-end shopping district. With spectacular views of the Alps and the lake, Baur is a picturesque hotel with high-touch service and luxurious amenities such as 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi, and a rooftop fitness center. The 119 rooms and suites are decorated in different styles ranging from Art Deco to French Louis XIV to English Regency, combined with standard modern touches including marble baths and heated floors. Dining options include the Restaurant Pavilion, serving a contemporary take on classic dishes; River Gauche with delicious meat and fish dishes; and Le Hall, a perfect place for afternoon tea.

The historic 5-star Hotel Baur au Lac sits on the shore of Lake Zurich, set within its own expansive park, yet within walking distance of Zurich’s high-end shopping district. With spectacular views of the Alps and the lake, Baur is a picturesque hotel with high-touch service and luxurious amenities such as 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi, and a rooftop fitness center. The 119 rooms and suites are decorated in different styles ranging from Art Deco to French Louis XIV to English Regency, combined with standard modern touches including marble baths and heated floors. Dining options include the Restaurant Pavilion, serving a contemporary take on classic dishes; River Gauche with delicious meat and fish dishes; and Le Hall, a perfect place for afternoon tea.

Overlooking Lake Lucerne from 3,000 feet above sea level is the art nouveau style mansion hotel, Villa Honegg. Almost every one of the 23 guestrooms has furnished balconies or terraces that offer sweeping views of the lake. In addition to indoor and outdoor restaurants, a special surprise here is the hotel’s in-house 20-seat cinema for luxury private viewing. The Villa’s Wellness facilities include a Finnish sauna,  steam bath, year-round outdoor pool, gym and a variety of spa treatments.

Originally conceived in 1873 by Emil Durrer and opened as a hotel in 1906, Villa Honegg has an interesting history in the Lake Lucerne area. The hotel was later bought by a private party who embarked on a multi-year renovation project, reopening as a 5-star luxury hotel in 2011.

Overlooking Lake Lucerne from 3,000 feet above sea level is the art nouveau style mansion hotel, Villa Honegg. Almost every one of the 23 guestrooms has furnished balconies or terraces that offer sweeping views of the lake. In addition to indoor and outdoor restaurants, a special surprise here is the hotel’s in-house 20-seat cinema for luxury private viewing. The Villa’s Wellness facilities include a Finnish sauna,  steam bath, year-round outdoor pool, gym and a variety of spa treatments.

Originally conceived in 1873 by Emil Durrer and opened as a hotel in 1906, Villa Honegg has an interesting history in the Lake Lucerne area. The hotel was later bought by a private party who embarked on a multi-year renovation project, reopening as a 5-star luxury hotel in 2011.

Only accessible by 20-minute private tram ride up to the Hamlet of Riffelalp, the aptly named Riffelalp Resort 2222m sits 7,300 feet above Zermatt and is the ideal place to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. Stunning panoramic views directly onto the Matterhorn can be seen from most of the resort’s 72 guestrooms. Here you will find Europe’s highest outdoor pool, as well as a very nice spa, indoor pool, and a small gym. For a taste of traditional raclette, fondue, and saucisse de veau, stop by one of the hotel restaurants, Ristorante Al Bosco or Restaurant Alexandre are both open in summer.

Only accessible by 20-minute private tram ride up to the Hamlet of Riffelalp, the aptly named Riffelalp Resort 2222m sits 7,300 feet above Zermatt and is the ideal place to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. Stunning panoramic views directly onto the Matterhorn can be seen from most of the resort’s 72 guestrooms. Here you will find Europe’s highest outdoor pool, as well as a very nice spa, indoor pool, and a small gym. For a taste of traditional raclette, fondue, and saucisse de veau, stop by one of the hotel restaurants, Ristorante Al Bosco or Restaurant Alexandre are both open in summer.

With a 20,000 sq. foot wellness landscape, the 82-room luxury Lenkerhof is considered among the highest quality spa resorts in Switzerland. Located in the crisp and pristine Simmental Valley of the Bernese Oberland, The Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort prides itself on a “5 star feel good atmosphere”. Named after the sever sources of the River Simme, the 7 Sources Spa follows a long tradition of healing waters with a range of treatments. The hotel actually began as a spa hotel with its own sulfur spring 350 years ago! A special experience here is the 93° F outdoor pool with clear sulfur water from the property’s original natural spring. Similar to Japan’s “onsen” therapeutic culture, the Swiss pride themselves on the rejuvenating powers of hot spring exposure.

With a 20,000 sq. foot wellness landscape, the 82-room luxury Lenkerhof is considered among the highest quality spa resorts in Switzerland. Located in the crisp and pristine Simmental Valley of the Bernese Oberland, The Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort prides itself on a “5 star feel good atmosphere”. Named after the sever sources of the River Simme, the 7 Sources Spa follows a long tradition of healing waters with a range of treatments. The hotel actually began as a spa hotel with its own sulfur spring 350 years ago! A special experience here is the 93° F outdoor pool with clear sulfur water from the property’s original natural spring. Similar to Japan’s “onsen” therapeutic culture, the Swiss pride themselves on the rejuvenating powers of hot spring exposure.

Opened in 1861, we feel a stay at the 5-star Beau-Rivage Palace is reason alone to stay in Lausanne! Made up of two buildings connected via La Rotonde, the hotel was renovated in 2012 by the renowned designer, Pierre-Yves Rochon. Situated on the shore of Lake Geneva and only 10 minutes from the city center, Beau-Rivage has a four-hectare garden – the perfect spot to relax after a long day of exploring the area. Each of the 168 rooms and suites offers sweeping views of the city, garden, or Lake Geneva. There are 10 different dining options including a sushi restaurant and an Italian one. Of special note is the Cinq Mondes, a 15,000 sq. foot spa featuring indoor and outdoor heated pools, a Jacuzzi, “tropical rain walk”, gym, salon, separate male and female hammams (Turkish-style baths), saunas, and two outdoor tennis courts. This is certainly one of the most impressive well-being centers in the south-west Switzerland area.

Opened in 1861, we feel a stay at the 5-star Beau-Rivage Palace is reason alone to stay in Lausanne! Made up of two buildings connected via La Rotonde, the hotel was renovated in 2012 by the renowned designer, Pierre-Yves Rochon. Situated on the shore of Lake Geneva and only 10 minutes from the city center, Beau-Rivage has a four-hectare garden – the perfect spot to relax after a long day of exploring the area. Each of the 168 rooms and suites offers sweeping views of the city, garden, or Lake Geneva. There are 10 different dining options including a sushi restaurant and an Italian one. Of special note is the Cinq Mondes, a 15,000 sq. foot spa featuring indoor and outdoor heated pools, a Jacuzzi, “tropical rain walk”, gym, salon, separate male and female hammams (Turkish-style baths), saunas, and two outdoor tennis courts. This is certainly one of the most impressive well-being centers in the south-west Switzerland area.