Mandarin Oriental Just Opened a Lakefront Palace Hotel in Switzerland — and We Got a First Look Inside
The sprawling hotel in Lucerne, Switzerland, is housed in the belle epoque–style Palace Luzern.
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
One of Switzerland's — and Europe's — grandest hotel buildings is once again welcoming travelers. Today, the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern, officially opens its doors in the city's belle epoque–style Palace Luzern landmark treating its guests to breathtaking vistas of the Alps and Lake Lucerne.
The building dates back to 1906, but local architects Iwan Bühler Architekten and London-based interior designers Jestico + Whiles were tasked with transforming the building into a modern hotel reflective of its storied history. And the result is a lavish Mediterranean-inspired retreat.
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
Most of the 136 rooms and suites have private balconies and are decked in luxe amenities by Diptyque, Dyson hair products, and Bose sound systems. The designers drew décor inspiration from the surrounding landscape blending shades of green with timeless neutrals and rich blues. Old and new harmoniously blend thanks to a mixture of original features such as ceiling moldings, wall paneling, and custom-made Italian furnishings. The hotel houses 48 of Lucerne's largest suites, but the crown jewel is the Presidential Suite — a 1,432-square-foot space decorated with sculptures, mirrors, hand-painted murals, hand-blown glass accents, and locally made mosaic inlays. The oval-shaped living room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the old town, the lake, and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. The two Panoramic Rooftop Terrace Suites live up to their monikers with magnificent 360-degree lake and mountain views.
Subtle references to Mandarin Oriental's Asian origins adorn the hotel's public spaces, in sync with the Mediterranean theme of the property. The original black-and-white marble checkered flooring on the ground floor beautifully contrasts with the terracotta-hued Roman columns flanking a bar.
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
The hotel will surely keep its guests in good spirits with four food-and-beverage concepts run by chef Gilad Peled. MOzern Bar & Brasserie offers classic Asian dishes, afternoon tea, and cocktails, while those who prefer al fresco dining should head to Quai 10, invoking the elegance of 1920s riviera eateries and offering Italian fare and grilled meat and fish dishes.
The fine-dining Colonnade will focus on French haute cuisine prepared with fresh Swiss ingredients and paired with an impressive collection of wines sourced from around the globe. A six-seat Japanese restaurant is also in the works and will open together with Colonnade in 2023.
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
Lastly, the hotel's SPA Bellefontaine combines revitalizing Asian rituals with Bellefontaine beauty products for the perfect ending to a busy day of sightseeing.
You can book your stay at Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern, where nightly rates start at CHF700 or about $712.
