Fresh Air, Lush Landscapes, and Unbridled Luxury – Find All of It in Switzerland
Revel in the freedom of fresh air and lush landscapes in Switzerland – where you can now skip the quarantine and pre-departure testing. Go (relatively) mask-free when you travel through Switzerland, from Geneva to the canton of Graubünden to Crans-Montana to Zurich – here’s some inspiration to get you started:
THE WOODWARD – OETKER COLLECTION, GENEVA
In the short time that The Woodward, Geneva has been open, the hotel has become one of Switzerland’s most celebrated gastronomic destinations. Le Jardinier is the restaurant’s first foray into Europe, having received critical acclaim in both New York and Miami. In Geneva, Executive Chef Olivier Jean has made the menu his own. Channelling years of experience – nine of which were spent learning from Chef Joël Robuchon, himself – he has created a masterful array of dishes that see vegetables play a starring role. Meanwhile, Chef Pâtissier Titouan Claudet has made breakfast at Le Jardinier a rite of passage for anyone visiting Geneva. Downstairs, Chef Jean works his magic again, this time at L’Atelier Robuchon, its first outpost in the country. These six courses are a thing of beauty, the kind of meal you will describe at dinner parties for years to come.
Originally built in 1901 by French architect François Durel, in a post-Haussmann style, the hotel is located on Quai Wilson and is now completely transformed and, carefully reimagined by world-renowned architect Pierre-Yves Rochon creating Geneva’s first all-suite hotel. The restaurants as well as the 1,200sq metre Guerlain Spa at The Woodward, The Woodward is truly Geneva’s lakeside home of haute living.
ULTIMA GENEVA GRAND VILLA – ULTIMA COLLECTION, GENEVA
Set in a verdant grove a short distance from Lake Geneva’s shores, this modern villa is just a short journey away from the livelier city hub and Geneva International Airport. Over three floors, the villa covers 2,000m2 and comes with an office and a separate villa for any extended guests to enjoy their privacy. There are eight rooms which accommodate 16 guests and can be booked with or without professional staff, depending on your preference. Head to the basement for entertainment, where you’ll find a large dining area, an underground lounge, wine cellar and a private club with a powerful sound system. There is also a private terrace, a grand cinema, and a wellness space comprising a jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, pool and fitness gymnasium. And, outside, there’s a stylish glass-fronted garage that homes a vintage car collection. It’s all enriched with modern art pieces, a personalised Alec Monopoly piano and accessories from Bvlgari, Hermes and Louis Vuitton.
EXPLORE THE CANTON OF GRAÜBUNDEN
Discover the whole variety of the holiday region Graubünden. The largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland, Graubünden is also one of the three large southern Alpine cantons. It is the most diverse canton in terms of natural and cultural geography, as it encompasses both sides of the Alps and several natural and cultural regions. The only sizable city in the canton is Chur, as the majority of the population lives in mountainous areas, including some of the most remote valleys of the country. The canton is a major tourist destination year-round, particularly for winter sports, and comprehends a large number of Alpine resort towns, notably Davos and St. Moritz. The canton is also renowned for its extensive narrow-gauge railway network, operated by the Rhaetian Railway, and linking the capital with most valleys of the Grisons. Accommodation-wise travellers have a wide range to choose from, with first-class hotels in the mountains or specialising in wellness and lifestyle, holiday apartments to a more rustic experiences in mountain huts or within nature at campsites.
BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE, LAUSANNE
Ideally situated on the banks of Lake Geneva, Beau-Rivage Palace is nestled in a natural beauty spot just a stone’s throw away from the centre of Lausanne. Like the neighbouring International Olympic Committee, the palace is an institution in the Ouchy district. Merely 10-minutes away from the vibrant city centre, the hotel benefits from the Mediterranean atmosphere of the nearby harbour. The hotel’s four-hectare large garden and splendid terrace form an oasis of calm, ideal for recharging one’s batteries. The view onto Lake Geneva and the Alps exudes a unique serenity, as if outside of time.
BAUR AU LAC, ZURICH
Located in the heart of Zurich in the middle of its own park, the historic five-star hotel welcomes you with a magnificent view of Lake Zurich and the Alps. Its unique, privileged location, stylish rooms & suites, award-winning gastronomy and incomparable Baur au Lac service delight guests from all over the world. The Baur au Lac has set the standard in the Swiss luxury hotel industry from the very beginning and still enjoys the reputation as one of the best hotels in the world.