Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
www.mandarinoriental.com
On the promenade of Lake Lucerne, where glassy waters reflect the peaks of the Swiss Alps, stands a Belle Époque masterpiece reborn. The Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern, first opened in 1906 as the Palace Hotel Luzern, has long been a gathering place for Europe’s elite—aristocrats, artists, and royals who traveled by train and steamboat to this Swiss jewel. After an extensive restoration, the palace has emerged as one of Switzerland’s most elegant destinations, seamlessly blending historic grandeur with contemporary sophistication.
The setting is unrivaled. Just steps from Lucern’s medieval Old Town, the Chapel Bridge, and the city’s famedKKL concert hall designed by Jean Nouvel, the hotel feels at once timeless and current. The Alps provide a majestic backdrop, while the lake itself acts as both a playground and a source of serenity.
Suites with a View of the Alpine Soul
The Palace’s 136 rooms and 45 suites are designed as sanctuaries of calm, each framing Lucerne’s natural beauty with sweeping windows, balconies, and terraces.
Deluxe Lake View Rooms pair soft palettes of green and terracotta with marble details, Diptyque amenities, and modern comforts.
The Presidential Suite, nestled beneath the palace’s central dome, sprawls with hand-painted murals, soaring ceilings, and cinematic views of both lake and city.
Rooftop Terrace Suites offer the most dramatic perspectives, with 360-degree panoramas that transform sunrise breakfasts and sunset aperitifs into private spectacles.
Original Belle Époque touches—ornate stucco, marble flooring, chandeliers—remain, now paired with contemporary furnishings and curated art, striking a balance between old-world glamour and modern design.
Spa Bellefontaine: A Sanctuary of Swiss Botanicals
At the heart of the hotel lies Spa Bellefontaine, a retreat inspired by the purity of alpine flora. Treatments highlight edelweiss and other mountain botanicals, long prized for their rejuvenating properties. Signature rituals such as the Anti-Ageing Cellular Treatment and the Luzern Palace Journey offer holistic renewal, while saunas, steam rooms, and experiential showers provide restorative immersion. The spa’s design echoes the natural surroundings—quiet, enveloping, and cocoon-like. A 24-hour fitness center ensures that wellness seamlessly integrates into the rhythm of travel, while the curated spa boutique allows guests to take the essence of Swiss rejuvenation home.
A World of Culinary Excellence
Dining at Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern is a journey through flavor, artistry, and ambiance. Each restaurant tells its own story, capturing both local tradition and global innovation.
MINAMO – An exclusive jewel within the palace, MINAMO is an intimate fine-dining experience celebrating the artistry of Japanese haute cuisine. With only a select number of seats, this tasting journey blends the delicate precision of Japanese techniques with the finest seasonal ingredients. Each course is a work of art—an interplay of flavor, texture, and aesthetics—while the serene, minimalist design of the space reflects Japanese tradition. Dining at MINAMO is not just a meal, but a once-in-a-lifetime culinary performance.
Colonnade – The elegant two-Michelin-star dining centerpiece, Colonnade, presents refined French cuisine with contemporary flair. Seasonal ingredients sourced from Switzerland and beyond are transformed into dishes that balance lightness, sophistication, and exquisite presentation. Beneath soaring ceilings and framed by lakeside views, dining here feels like stepping into a living study in elegance.
Quai 10 – For lakeside informality, Quai 10 offers a relaxed brasserie atmosphere with al fresco dining directly along the promenade. Serving local favorites, international classics, and a carefully curated wine list, it is equally perfect for a leisurely lunch or cocktails as the sun sets over the Alps.
MOzern Bar & Brasserie – A stylish social hub that brings together Lucerne’s local spirit with Mandarin Oriental’s cosmopolitan flair. Guests enjoy contemporary brasserie dishes, artisanal pastries, and afternoon tea by day, before returning in the evening for inventive cocktails crafted with Swiss precision and global inspiration.
Beyond the Palace: Mount Pilatus
To experience Luzern fully is to embrace its mountains. A day on Mount Pilatus, the legendary Dragon Mountain, begins with gondolas gliding above alpine meadows and whispering forests. At Fräkmüntegg, adventurers can soar on the Dragon Glider or explore the treetop Rope Park before ascending to Pilatus Kulm.
From this summit, the panorama unfolds endlessly—valleys, lakes, and peaks cascading in every direction. A hearty Swiss lunch at the Kulm Restaurant offers both nourishment and a moment to absorb the view. The descent aboard the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and a final boat ride across Lake Lucerne return guests to the palace’s embrace, completing a circle of memory, discovery, and awe.
Excursion Highlight: A Day on Mount Pilatus
No visit to Luzern is complete without an ascent to the legendary Mount Pilatus. Known as the “Dragon Mountain,” this excursion is a blend of adventure, natural beauty, and unforgettable family experiences.
Morning
Begin with a short taxi ride from Mandarin Oriental Palace to the Pilatus Valley Station in Kriens, where you will be warmly welcomed by Marion from the Pilatus Mountain Team. After her greeting, the adventure continues privately as a family. Glide above alpine forests and meadows on a cable car to Fräkmüntegg, where exhilarating activities await. Children and adults alike can soar on the Dragon Glider—a zipline-style thrill with panoramic views—or test their courage in the Rope Park, an adventure course suspended in the treetops.
Midday
Continue the ascent by panoramic cable car to Pilatus Kulm. A short 15-minute walk brings you to a breathtaking viewpoint where the world seems to unfold beneath you—peaks, valleys, and shimmering lakes. Lunch is enjoyed at the Pilatus Kulm Restaurant, where traditional Swiss cuisine is served against the backdrop of sweeping mountain vistas.
Afternoon
Descend via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, a marvel of engineering that winds its way through lush alpine landscapes. The journey concludes with a serene boat ride across Lake Lucerne, delivering you back to the city with unforgettable memories and a deeper connection to Switzerland’s natural wonders.
For a truly cinematic encounter with Lucerne, guests step aboard a private boat for a journey across Lake Lucerne’s glassy expanse. Gliding past the city’s historic waterfront and framed by alpine silhouettes, travelers sip champagne and savor seasonal canapés as the gentle sway of the water transforms the lake into a playground of elegance and leisure. The cruise can be a romantic sunset experience or a full-day exploration of hidden coves and charming lakeside villages, with stops for swims, lakeside picnics, and moments of quiet reflection. The ever-changing reflections of mountains and sky on the water create a living canvas, perfect for both repose and inspiration.
The Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern is not merely a hotel but a destination steeped in story. From its Belle Époque origins to its modern renaissance, it embodies the elegance of Switzerland and the sophistication of global luxury. Whether savoring haute cuisine at MINAMO, indulging in alpine-inspired spa rituals, or embarking on adventures beyond its doors, each moment feels choreographed to inspire. Here, history and discovery are one—an ode to Luzern, where the grandeur of the past meets the refined promise of the present.
