Baur au Lac
Opened in 1844 by Johannes Baur and operated by the same family ever since, this property has hosted the likes of Joan Miró and Plácido Domingo. Set in a garden near the Bahnhofstrasse shopping drag (Zurich’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue), the hotel looks right onto Lake Zurich and the Alps—but that’s not the only nice view.
The Baur au Lac, is still more of a large villa, served at first as an elegant residence for guests travelling incognito. After constant enlargements, it had reached its present size by 1898.
Inside, rooms tastefully mix Art Deco, Louis XVI, and Regency styles, and are individually decorated in neutral tones with red, purple, and teal accents—though, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a room with a balcony on the water. Baur’s is more casual brasserie, though if you’re really keen to splurge, the Michelin-starred Pavillon is worth the indulgence.
Located within its own park that overlooks the Alps and Lake Zurich, Baur au Lac hotel has welcomed guests for more than 170 years. Guest rooms and suites are bedecked with designer furnishings, heated bathroom floors, complimentary minibars and large windows that overlook Zurich, the Schanzengraben canal or the property’s courtyard.
The hotel also makes its own line of chocolates and houses a garage and car repair shop, an on-site florist, a wine boutique, a rooftop fitness center and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Overall, recent guests appreciated the hotel’s attentive housekeeping staff, friendly drivers and welcoming reception and concierge team, saying that everyone worked together to make their time at the property perfect.
The gourmet cuisine at Restaurant Pavillon received high praise as well, and others noted that you shouldn’t leave before enjoying cocktails and Champagne on the Baur au Lac Terrasse. However, some visitors expected better breakfast options for the price. Keep in mind, Leaders Club members can earn or redeem perks at this Leading Hotels of the World location.
Head Chef Laurent Eperon creates fresh, dynamic and contemporary cuisine. His style is a 21st-century interpretation of classic haute cuisine. Both the Pavillon restaurant and Laurent Eperon have been awarded “GaultMillau Aufsteiger des Jahres 2017,” two Michelin-stars and 18 Gault&Millau points.
Baur au Lac was voted No.1 hotel in Central Europe by Conde Nast Traveler for 2019
