Courtesy of Waldhaus Flims

Courtesy of Waldhaus Flims

Waldhaus Flims’ storied heritage dates back to 1869 when two Chur natives were granted permission from the municipality of Flims and Laax to build a spa. A hotel soon followed, and now, the property includes three guest houses and four gourmet restaurants. The spa is the property’s centerpiece with an indoor pool situated inside a glass cube and a heated outdoor pool equipped with bubble loungers and massage jets. As seen in Sorrentino’s 2015 film Youth, the spa area is stunning and seems to fit in perfectly with its natural surroundings. Waldhaus Flims is also known for its park, which includes glass-covered pavilions, sun terraces, open meadows, walking paths and mountain views. The hotel museum, located under the pavilion, features curated artifacts from the Belle Époque era, as well as items from Graubünden’s past. Guests can also find a trove of quartz crystals housed in underground hotel passages.

Bürgenstock Hotel and Alpine Spa in Lucerne

Courtesy of Bürgenstock Hotel and Alpine Spa

Courtesy of Bürgenstock Hotel and Alpine Spa

First opened in 1873, the Bürgenstock Resort and Alpine Spa is set on a forested ridge 500 metres above Lake Lucerne. Known for being the location where Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer in 1954, this property offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Alpine landscape, including Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. With 102 guest rooms and suites, the Bürgenstock Hotel offers top-notch accommodations, beautiful architecture and plenty of fine dining options. Guests can take a dip in the Infinity Edge pool, unwind in the Alpine Spa or play a round of golf. The hotel’s funicular provides a fun and convenient way to travel between the rooms and the lake.

Suvretta House in St. Moritz

Courtesy of Suvretta House

Courtesy of Suvretta House

In 1911, pioneering hotelier Anton Sebastian Bon had a vision for a grand property in the mountains near St. Mortiz. After joining forces with local architect Karl Koller, Bon’s dream became a reality. Known as the ‘winter palace,’ this five-star hotel has 181 guest rooms and suites with spectacular views of Mount Suvretta and the Corviglia ski domain. Suvretta House’s health, fitness and spa area is spread out over 17,00 square metres and includes a Finnarium, Sanarium, Vaporium and Caldarium. Guests can swim in the 25-metre pool overlooking the mountains of the Upper Engadine or relax in the open-air whirlpool heated year-round. Guests can end their day with a visit to Grand Restaurant (14 points Gault Millau) where head chef Fabrizio Zanetti serves French cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.

Baur au Lac in Zürich

Courtesy of Baur au Lac

Courtesy of Baur au Lac

Baur au Lac has been delivering first-class service and accommodations for more than 175 years. Set in its own park on the banks of the Schanzengraben Canal, the hotel overlooks Lake Zürich and the Alps, and it’s just a short walk from the Paradeplatz financial district and the Bahnhofstrasse shopping district. The property includes 119 guest rooms and suites, as well as fine dining options. The onsite restaurant Pavilion by Laurent Eperon (2 Michelin stars and 18 Gault Millau points) is set in a beautiful space with a rotunda designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. In addition to its exquisite, award-winning cuisine, Pavilion is known for its wine service. Head sommelier Marc Almert was named Best Sommelier in the World at a 2019 ceremony in Antwerp held by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. Other onsite restaurants and bars include Le Hall, Terrasse and Baur’s.

The Chedi Andermatt in Andermatt

Courtesy of The Chedi Andermatt

Courtesy of The Chedi Andermatt

Built by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, the Chedi Andermatt sits 1,447 metres above sea level in the mountain village of Andermatt. Its design concept combines Asian aesthetics with Alpine elegance. The hotel features 123 guest rooms and suites, five restaurants and bars and a 2,400 square-metre spa. Its natural surroundings include waterfalls, alpine lakes and over 180 kilometres of pistes – perfect for skiers, hikers and mountain bikers. The new link-up between Andermatt, Sedrun and Disentis has created the largest ski area in central Switzerland, which makes the hotel perfect for a ski-in/ski-out experience. Enjoy a traditional Japanese Bento lunch at The Japanese by the Chedi Andermatt at Mount Gütsch where Michelin-star awarded executive chef Dietmar Sawyere serves up sushi, sashimi, tempura and more.

Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel

Courtesy of Hotel Les Trois Rois

Courtesy of Hotel Les Trois Rois

Hotel Les Trois Rois is situated on the banks of the Rhine River in the heart of Basel, Switzerland’s third most populated city. The hotel’s central location is ideal for exploring the city’s museums, galleries and theatres. Hotel Les Trois Rois is known for being one of the oldest city hotels in Europe. Today, its motto is “rich in history, young at heart” – a refreshing concept for a luxury property. In addition to its 101 guest rooms and suites, the hotel offers excellent dining options. Onsite restaurants and bars include Cheval Blanc by chef Peter Knogl (3 Michelin stars and 19 Gault Millau points), Brasserie Les Trois Rois by chef Urs Gschwend (14 Gault Millau points), Italian restaurant Chez Donati (13 Gault Millau points), Bar Les Trois Rois and Salon du Cigare.

The Waldhaus Sils Hotel in Sils im Engadin

Courtesy of the Waldhaus Sils Hotel

Courtesy of the Waldhaus Sils Hotel

The Waldhaus Sils Hotel, located in Engadine near St. Moritz, has been attracting travelers, artists, writers and philosophers for more than a century. Albert Einstein, Friedrich Nietzsche, Marc Chagall and Gerhard Richter are just a few notable guests who have experienced the beauty, charm and tranquility of this Alpine retreat. The Waldhaus Sils Hotel offers elegant accommodations, delicious food and luxury spa treatments. Additionally, the property exudes character that seems fitting for its heritage. For example, guests can tour the hotel museum located in an old bakery re-designed by artist Giuseppe Reichmuth or listen to a restored Welte-Mignon roll piano from 1910. Even the hotel’s master clock is wound by hand each morning, a tradition established in 1908. These small nods to the past make for a memorable stay.

The Alpina Gstaad in Gstaad

Courtesy of Alpina Gstaad

Courtesy of Alpina Gstaad

The Alpina Gstaad is set on five acres of land in Saanenland located in the heart of the Bernese Alps. Since its inception, this luxury property has been committed to sustainable practices with a mix of ecological power and hydroelectric strategies, including sensor-driven air conditioning units and heating systems partially heated with reclaimed energy. The Alpina Gstaad features 56 guest rooms and suites – all with balconies, a spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wine-tasting room, private cinema, cigar lounge and ballroom. Guests can choose from three on-site restaurants: Restaurant Sommet (1 Michelin star and 18 Gault Millau points) serving contemporary cuisine, Megu (1 Michelin star and 15 Gault Millau points) serving Japanese cuisine or Swiss Stübli serving traditional local cuisine.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

When the Hotel des Bergues opened in 1834, it was one of the largest and most impressive hotels in Switzerland. The hotel’s convenient location offers access to Lake Geneva, Old Town, Quartier des Banques, Grand Theatre and more. This historic neo-classical building includes 115 guest rooms and suites – all with classic Louis Philippe-style furnishings and marble bathrooms. Suites on the sixth floor pay tribute to contemporary Swiss chalets and feature large fireplaces and comfortable furnishings. The most significant restoration took place in 2005 under the creative direction of Pierre-Yves Rochon. The Spa Mont Blanc offers a deluxe experience complete with an authentic Moroccan hammam and marble steam room. Onsite restaurant Il Lago (1 Michelin star) offers a seasonal, northern Italy-inspired menu by executive chef Massimiliano Sena.

The Dolder Grand in Zürich

Courtesy of the Dolder Grand

Courtesy of the Dolder Grand

The 10 Bucket List Hotels in Switzerland would not be complete without mentioning the Dolder Grand, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Swiss Deluxe Hotels. This property has 175 guest rooms and suites, an award-winning restaurant, lavish spa services and a sprawling fine art collection. Its elevated location in Zürich provides guests with stunning views of the city, lake and mountains.

The Dolder Grand’s extensive art collection is worth noting. Over 100 works of art adorn the property’s interior walls and exterior gardens. Artists on view include Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Fernando Botero, Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely, among others. Guests are offered iPad art tours to help navigate the collection.

A stay at the Dolder Grand would not be complete without a visit to the spa. The Aqua Zone houses a large swimming pool with views of its natural surroundings, outdoor whirlpools, sanarium, steam bath and snow paradise. Guests can relax with Japanese-style warm pebbles of the sunaburo. Separated for men and women, sections of the spa are equipped with a sauna, steam bath, kotatsu foot bath, aroma pool, steam pot, cold-water basin and solarium.

Lastly, don’t miss The Restaurant in the Dolder Grand by executive chef Heiko Nieder. The Restaurant (2 Michelin stars and 19 Gault Millau points) serves seasonal, innovative gourmet cuisine. The amuse-bouche lunch menu offers the chance to try a selection of Nieder’s creations. In the evening, The Restaurant offers 6- or 10-course menus with options for vegetarian alternatives. The cuisine is known for reflecting Nieder’s enjoyment for experimentation. Previous dishes have included lobster with strawberries, beetroot, tarragon and mustard and rabbit with herbs, miso, mushrooms and green tomato.

If you enjoyed 10 Bucket List Hotels in Switzerland, check out other world-class hotels.