Baur au Lac

This grande dame of Bahnhofstrasse hotels has sat graciously at the mouth of Lake Zürich since 1844, welcoming through its white-columned portico the ultra well-heeled to bonafide royalty, including Kaiser Wilhelm II, and in more recent years, Prince William. It’s a privileged, sumptuous world: a gleaming Rolls Royce parked up front, bow-tied concierge at reception, hand-sewn silk curtains in rooms dominated by warm beige and gold tones, deep marble tubs in natural light-filled bathrooms, and take-your-pick views of the lake or the swan-speckled Schanzengraben Canal. A rotating art exhibit in the hotel’s park has seen works by Joan Miró (a one-time guest) and Fernando Botero.

Zurich has several stellar five-star properties and naming one as the very best would be difficult, but the Baur au Lac would definitely be among the top contenders for the title. This classic favorite is located on the lake, but only a short walk from the city’s most elegant shopping street, the famous Bahnhofstrasse. The 120-room hotel has been owned and managed by the same family for six generations, but it continues to evolve. Most recently the lobby was renovated in 2014 and now serves light fare throughout the day. The Pavillon restaurant, helmed by Chef Laurent Eperon, has received a Michelin star if you are in search of a memorable gourmet experience. Pick up a bar of the hotel’s own 1844 Chocolat (the date refers to the year the hotel was founded) to help recall your visit to Zurich once you have returned home.