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Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne named Best Historic Hotel in Europe

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The Hotel Schweizerhof is in the center of  Lucerne, a city with magnificent surroundings, a temperate climate, city amenities, and Old World charm. With easy access by road and rail, Lucerne is one of the top tourist resorts in Switzerland. When Queen Victoria visited in 1868 she called it the most charming city she ever visited.

This 5-star neo-Renaissance style hotel was built on Lake Lucerne around 1845 and has been owned by the same family for five generations. It is in one of the most convenient locations in Lucerne and just a short walk from the train  station and the steamboats that travel the lake. The main shopping street runs behind the hotel to the Old Town.

The Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern is also known as the Festival Hotel as host for events like the Blue Balls Festival, the Lucerne Blues Festival, the Zaubersee-Russian Music Lucerne and the World Band Festival. Schweizerhofquai, the road in front of the hotel, is the site of the kickoff celebration of Fastnacht, the pre-Lent celebration for which Lucerne is renowned. The festivities continue inside the hotel at night.

It has been the hotel of choice of royalty, celebrities, politicians, industrialists, musicians and more. And now the it has been named Best Historic Hotel in Europe by Historic Hotels Worldwide.

lakefront promenade, Lucerne
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lakefront promenade, Lucerne

Its history is evident in every room. Our guest room was named for Mark Twain who wrote about his stay at the hotel in “A Holiday in Lucerne,” part of his book “A Tramp Abroad.”

Mark Twain room, Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne
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Mark Twain room, Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne

He wrote of a leisurely hike up Mt. Rigi and riding a paddle steamer to the chapel where legendary hero William Tell is said to have escaped from Bailiff Gessler. Twain’s book and an 1885 bottle of Rigi kirsch were under glass on the desk.

Mark Twain memorabilia, Schweizerhof Hotel, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Mark Twain memorabilia, Schweizerhof Hotel, Lucerne, Switzerland

We flipped through a book called, “Where History Comes Alive” that had stories of each of the notable guests for whom one of the 110 rooms is dedicated. The list included royalty, celebrities, politicians, industrialists, musicians and more.

Among the entries were Leo Tolstoy and Hans Christian Anderson, who found inspiration here. Neil Armstrong chose this hotel while in Lucerne for the opening of the Aviation and Space Travel Hall in the Swiss Museum of Transport, Switzerland’s most popular museum.

"Where History Comes Alive" book in our guest room at the Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne
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“Where History Comes Alive” book in our guest room at the Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne

Doors had knobs and sensors in the shape of musical notes in tribute to Richard Wagner, who completed his opera  “Tristan and Isolde” during his stay and also and met here with his patron, Ludwig II of Bavaria.

guest room door, Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland
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guest room door, Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland

musical note doorknobs, Hote; Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland
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musical note doorknobs, Hote; Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland

This palatial hotel has seasonal terrace dining and two elegant restaurants that serve regional cuisine. a chic bar and sumptuous function rooms. There is also gym and spa.

bar, Hotel Schweizerhof, Glacier Garden, Lucerne, Switzerland
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bar, Hotel Schweizerhof, Glacier Garden, Lucerne, Switzerland

breakfast on our first morning at the Hotel Schweizerhof
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breakfast on our first morning at the Hotel Schweizerhof

breakfast room, Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland
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breakfast room, Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland

Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland

 

2 Comments

  1. The hotel looks so pretty! Love the location and the interior design, but am most of all intrigued by the literary references to Mark Twain. So good!

    • Thank you for your comments. Yes, The Hotel Schweizerhof is a wonderful place to stay, and has attracted a fascinating array of guests from around the world. And what a location in the midst of the beautiful city and overlooking the lake and mountains. Hoping to get back there before long.

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