Photo of Baur au Lac

“A luxurious lakeside hotel that ticks all the boxes for a spoiling ‘special-occasion’ stay: flawless service, elegant contemporary-classic bedrooms, marble bathrooms, quiet terrace and a choice of dining including Michelin-star.”

“A luxurious lakeside hotel that ticks all the boxes for a spoiling ‘special-occasion’ stay: flawless service, elegant contemporary-classic bedrooms, marble bathrooms, quiet terrace and a choice of dining including Michelin-star.”

Hotel Review

As one of Europe’s great ‘grande dame’ hotels – founded 1844, and still family-owned – you’d expect Baur au Lac to command an enviable position, be sumptuously luxurious and offer flawless service. That’s all true, but it’s done in a smoothly, low-key way; if you want glitz and bling this is not the place for you. In a lakeside position, with a large terrace and garden, the hotel is conveniently close to Bahnhofstrasse’s designer shops yet screened by trees. Rooms are softly luxurious with a contemporary elegance: understated furnishings, big wall-mirrors, thick silk curtains and the occasional flash of boldness in a vintage black-and-white photograph. All the expected extras are there: free mini-bar, tablet to order up services, bowls of fruit and orchids while marble bathrooms – many with natural light – offer shower as well as a bath. Be aware, only the deluxe junior suites and above have lake views; standard doubles look on to the street or inner-courtyards though some (ordinary) junior suites overlook the canal on the non-street side. There’s a choice of eating from brasserie-style in Baurs and lighter dishes in the summer-only Terrace to exquisite two-Michelin-star dining in the Pavillon. Neither fussy nor tricksy, the latter is just exceptionally skilful: the silkiest of sea-bass in the crunchiest of skin with chartreuse, for example. Have a decent aperitif before to steady your nerve when reading the prices. But this is a special occasion place, and spoiling yourself is the order of the day.
 

Written by Helen Pickles

Recommended For

  • Sights nearby
  • The Old Town sights including the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches
  • Museums
  • Visit Kunsthaus art museum which includes the Alberto Giacometti gallery
  • Designer Shopping
  • A stone's throw from the Bahnhofstrasse
  • Safari
  • Take a scenic lake cruise or river trip
  • Yoga
  • Business meetings
  • City Style
  • Spa breaks
  • Free wifi
  • Conference facilities
  • Gourmet
  • Roof terrace
  • Cinema
  • Outstanding location
  • Good wine list
  • Private Hot Tub
  • Grand Hotel
  • Lakeside
  • Landmark
  • Historic
  • Gym
  • Antiques
  • Romantic
  • 5* Luxury
  • Disabled access
  • Wellbeing
  • Traditional
  • Luxury

Facilities

  • Suites
  • Rooms have individual styles - Art deco, Louis XVI, English Regency combined with comtemporary features
  • Restaurant
  • Dynamic cuisine from head chef Laurent Eperon in the Michelin-Star Pavillon restaurant
  • Sit-out Terrace
  • Afternoon tea or cocktails on the terrace with views of lake Zurich and the Alps
  • Spa
  • Superb roof top spa with all the amenties
  • Views
  • Overlooking Lake Zurich
  • Cinema
  • Business Centre
  • Conference facilities
  • Safe
  • Bar
  • Roof terrace
  • Airport transfer
  • In room DVD
  • Outdoor dining
  • Private Hot Tub
  • Good wine list
  • Internet
  • Sauna/Steam
  • Hairdresser/Beauty Salon
  • Meeting Room
  • Massage
  • Library
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Room service
  • Free wifi
  • 24 Hour room service
  • Disabled access
  • Hot Tub
  • Satellite / Cable TV
  • In room music system
  • Air conditioning
  • Wifi

Activities

  • Sights nearby
  • The Old Town sights including the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches
  • Museums
  • Visit Kunsthaus art museum which includes the Alberto Giacometti gallery
  • Safari
  • Take a scenic lake cruise or river trip
  • Designer Shopping
  • A stone's throw from the Bahnhofstrasse
  • Yoga

Map & Location

What's Nearby