Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne

This Gorgeous Lake Town Has the Highest Outdoor Elevator in Europe — and It Leads to Fondue, Alpine Cows, and Hiking Trails With Water Views

"A historic resort first opened in 1873, located 2,000 feet above sea level and known for its luxurious amenities and scenic views. It served as a filming location for the 1964 James Bond film 'Goldfinger'." - Madeline Weinfield

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"Running along Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock spreads out like tiny-but-affluent hilltop village. Even the moment of arrival is grand: Take the boat across the lake and the funicular up to the property, which is made up of four different hotel concepts, three separate spas, plus multiple dining venues, including Taverne 1879, the traditional Swiss kitchen."

Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne

"What was your first impression when you arrived?Grand and glamorous. It's hard to miss the resort complex 500 meters above Lake Lucerne—even more so if you arrive via boat at the Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock pier, where the Bürgenstock Funicular will bring you slowly up to the top. Who else did you see at the hotel?Wellness-centered pairs looking for an escape, with no expense spared. What are the rooms like?There are several complexes within this resort, but all of its restaurants, bars, and common areas are accessible to everyone, no matter if you're staying in the most affordable room or the most expensive. Rooms in the Bürgenstock—with refurbished wood, stone, and other natural materials—are tranquil, much like the spas, and are some of the priciest. (Bathe while taking in the beauty of Lake Lucerne below? Yes, please.) At the Waldhotel, designed by famous architect Matteo Thun, contemporary suites rule, while rooms at the 19th-century Palace Hotel have been reimagined as a more casual version of elegant. Taverne 1879 is both a traditional Swiss mountain restaurant and 12-room residence (think "bijou with alpine charm"); the resort's ten private Lakeview Residences are arguably its most top-of-the line product. What else should we know about this place?Bürgenstock has not one, but three, spas: the Alpine Spa (with steam baths, saunas, and a "serenity" room); the Private Spa with three available treatments; and the "Waldhotel," which offers individual treatments based on the resort's "Healthy By Nature" concept. As an all-encompassing wellness resort, the hotel offers rehabilitation and therapeutic services. So, worth it?The area has been popular since the hotel was first built here in 1873, so much so that Audrey Hepburn married in its chapel in 1954, and Sophia Loren and husband Carlo Ponti lived in a chalet here for some time. After a £440 million ($626 million) renovation unveiled in 2017, the appeal still holds: You'd be hard-pressed to find a better true wellness resort at the nexus of luxury and location." - CNT Editors

"Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort After nine years and nearly $600 million, it’s not an exaggeration to suggest that the re-opening of the iconic Bürgenstock resort—set on 148 acres of ridgeline above Lake Lucerne—was one of the most widely anticipated of the decade. Originally opened in 1873, the family-owned resort grew into a moneyed playground, where Hollywood royalty romped (Sophia Loren lived here for many years) and wed (Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer in a chapel on the property). It then endured several years of decline, after which Qatar state fund bought the property, closed it, and began planning a stunning transformation. Bürgenstock now includes four hotels, 12 restaurants and bars, 67 residences, and a 107,000-square-foot spa featuring three pools (including a heated outdoor infinity pool overlooking the lake), hammans, saunas, and private treatment rooms. Both the 102-room Bürgenstock Hotel and the 160-room Waldhotel—the latter a state-of-the-art medical spa and hotel—are brand-new, five-star additions. The historic Taverne 1879 and Palace Hotel, built in 1904, have also undergone considerable refurbishment. The real star, however, is the dramatic view, optimized from every angle—including at the Spices Kitchen and Terrace, which cantilevers out from the Palace Hotel as if it’s floating above the lake. Speaking of the lake, even getting to Bürgenstock is like something out of a James Bond film, quite fitting since the crew of Goldfinger spent a month here during filming. After crossing the lake by boat, you take a funicular up the face of the mountain and into the Bürgenstock Hotel, landing on the terrace with its arresting views."

"Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort After nine years and nearly $600 million, it’s not an exaggeration to suggest that the re-opening of the iconic Bürgenstock resort—set on 148 acres of ridgeline above Lake Lucerne—was one of the most widely anticipated of the decade. Originally opened in 1873, the family-owned resort grew into a moneyed playground, where Hollywood royalty romped (Sophia Loren lived here for many years) and wed (Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer in a chapel on the property). It then endured several years of decline, after which Qatar state fund bought the property, closed it, and began planning a stunning transformation. Bürgenstock now includes four hotels, 12 restaurants and bars, 67 residences, and a 107,000-square-foot spa featuring three pools (including a heated outdoor infinity pool overlooking the lake), hammans, saunas, and private treatment rooms. Both the 102-room Bürgenstock Hotel and the 160-room Waldhotel—the latter a state-of-the-art medical spa and hotel—are brand-new, five-star additions. The historic Taverne 1879 and Palace Hotel, built in 1904, have also undergone considerable refurbishment. The real star, however, is the dramatic view, optimized from every angle—including at the Spices Kitchen and Terrace, which cantilevers out from the Palace Hotel as if it’s floating above the lake. Speaking of the lake, even getting to Bürgenstock is like something out of a James Bond film, quite fitting since the crew of Goldfinger spent a month here during filming. After crossing the lake by boat, you take a funicular up the face of the mountain and into the Bürgenstock Hotel, landing on the terrace with its arresting views."