Switzerland's Most Iconic Hotels: Three Legendary Properties Compared
Introduction
This week, we did something extraordinary—booking three of Switzerland's most iconic hotels back-to-back to compare them directly. Over the next few days, we're trying out:
- A lakeside hotel built for royalty
- A mountain resort in the Swiss Alps
- One night in a palace overlooking Zurich
Important Context: We didn't come here to flex. We're here in the shoulder season, which means prices drop significantly, and the kinds of hotels you normally see in magazines become much more affordable.
Fair Comparison: We set up our own evaluation criteria to compare these properties objectively.
Hotel #1: Baur au Lac, Zurich
Historical Significance
Opened: 1844
Notable History:
- Hosted royalty and artists throughout history
- Where Alfred Nobel first heard the idea for the Nobel Peace Prize
Family Legacy: Owned and operated for eight generations by the same family
First Impressions
Arrival Experience: Walking up to the Baur au Lac feels surreal—you feel the shift the moment you walk in.
Atmosphere: What surprised us most was how inviting it feels. Classic hotels can be stuffy, but this one feels warm and welcoming.
Unique Feature: We've never been to a hotel with a space like this—the type of place where you can take a slow walk without realizing how much time has passed.
Standard Riverview Room Tour
Entry & Closet:
- Two-door system (one for shoes)
- When you close the mirrored door, the entire room becomes closed off from the outside world
- Full closet with espresso machine
Seating:
- One of the most comfortable seats ever experienced
- Looks hard with the pattern, but incredibly soft
Welcome Amenities:
- Complimentary champagne
- Fresh fruits
- Personalized note
- House-made Baur au Lac brand chocolates
- Package from travel agent Laura
Plants: Real plants throughout the room
Bathroom Features
Bathtub:
- Traditional wand shower head
- Hot and cold knobs (like you see in movies)
- Sits pretty deep
- Monogrammed towels
Shower System:
- Tub doubles as a shower
- Roll-out curtain to prevent water everywhere
- Radio system on the wall for listening to music while showering
- Built-in speaker
Vanity Area:
- His and hers sinks
- Two European outlets on each side (bring converter from the States)
- Stool at counter for doing makeup
Toilet: Separate commode area with window
Unique Hotel Traditions
Room Key System:
- Traditional key (not tap cards)
- Only one key provided
- Hand keys to concierge desk when leaving
- They place them on the wall
- Retrieve when returning
- Makes it feel more premium and traditional (like hotels in movies)
- Creates opportunities for staff to check in and ask if guests need anything
- More personalized experience
Room Quality: Quality materials, comfortable bed, and nice mirrors make this room definitely worth it
Location & Surroundings
Neighborhood: Right around the hotel are amazing places to sightsee, eat, and shop
Shopping District: Walking around at night, we essentially found the Rodeo Drive of Zurich—designer stores as far as the eye can see
Dining Experience: Restaurant Margita
On-Property Restaurant: Very nice Michelin-star rated restaurant
Philosophy: The restaurant encourages you to enjoy the moment—take your time
Appetizers:
Wagyu Consommé
- Wagyu beef, caviar, and egg yolk
- Comes together perfectly
- Small portion—only two pieces (wished for more)
- Highly recommended
Bread Service
- Perfect bread—soft with crunchy outer corners
- Pepper added to olive oil for flavor
- Tastes incredibly fresh
- Olive oil tastes completely different from typical—so good you'd eat just bread and olive oil
Main Courses:
Lobster Spaghetti (Recommended by Franklin, the sales manager)
- Lobster super tender, melts in your mouth
- Slightly sweet but not overpowering
- Excellent dish
Chicken Dish
- Cut like butter
- Perfect flavor
- Very tender (not quite as buttery as lobster but excellent)
Dessert Impressions:
- Not overly sweet (personal preference appreciated)
- Good quality but some felt not worth the high price
Total Cost: 239 Swiss Francs (very expensive for dinner)
Overall Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Value Assessment:
- Experience: Exceptional
- Service: Outstanding
- Food Quality: Amazing
- Worth it? Not for every night, but perfect for special occasions
- Would not eat here nightly due to cost
- The experience definitely earns a pass
Baur au Lac Overall Assessment
Service: 100% worth it
Historical Charm: Hotels like this slow down your pace without even asking—whether enjoying afternoon tea, quiet breakfast, or drinks in the lounges, time moves differently here
Bottom Line: The service we received was exceptional, but our next destination takes the energy in a completely different direction—we're leaving the lake and heading straight into the Alps.
Hotel #2: The Chedi Andermatt
Concept & Design
Design Philosophy: If Baur au Lac was about history and heritage, The Chedi is where modern design meets mountain serenity.
Service Style: The type of place where you don't have to ask for anything—they already know.
Travel Agent Shout-Out: Huge thank you to personal travel agent Laura for arranging this experience. Thanks to viewer support and bookings, she's become one of the top agents at Lux Rally Travel.
Check-In Experience
Arrival Service:
- Host took us to our room
- Provided tour of facility
- Shared history and background of property
- Laura's status as top travel agent earned us a tour from the assistant director of sales
Unique Opportunities: Able to see areas normal guests don't access—amazing to make these connections around the world
Staff Impression: Managers have been humble and not what you'd typically expect from luxury hotel management—already earning A+ for service
Common Areas & Amenities
Living Room:
- Cozy fire going
- Comfortable chairs, couch, and seating area
- Chess available
- Casual, relaxing atmosphere
- Perfect embodiment of the property's philosophy
Property Layout:
- Entered through main entrance into "The Big House"
- Gray residential houses on property—people actually live in them
- Only about 50 rooms are true guest rooms
Seasonal Amenities (Missed in Shoulder Season):
- Fondue place with little booths
- Animals and llamas walking around
- Water features (area filled with water in summertime)
- Would be beautifully lit at night
Artwork: Incredible art installations throughout the property
Bar & Lounge Areas
Asian Temple-Inspired Bar:
- Apple decorations signifying welcome
- Afternoon bar area with huge alcohol selection
- Major vibe during ski season
- Ideal for pre-ski and after-ski drinks
- Fire pit nearby
Ski Facilities:
- Pick up skis, boots, and equipment
- Hit the slopes directly from hotel
- Display of every Olympic ski, including Lindsay Vonn's actual Olympic skis
- Boots, helmets, and goggles available
Ski Butler Service:
- Get fitted for skis
- Boots warmed for you
- Escorted to ski lift
- Well taken care of throughout
- Very nice touch for serious skiers
Ski Lift Access: Only one minute away—literally right across from the property
Guest Room Tour
Living Area:
- Big couch
- Huge photo (believed to be historical Andermatt)
- Television
- Working fireplace with visible flames
Asian Cultural Design:
- Designed with Asian culture in mind
- Low sitting tables with floor pillows
- Can order room service and eat at the table
- Asian inspiration evident throughout
Bedroom:
- King bed with reading lights
- Thin mattress that's very soft (with box spring underneath)
- Confusing at first but extremely comfortable
- Multiple switches on wall (master switches for lights)
- Table for eating in bed
- QR code to scan for app and menu
Beverage Trend: Nespresso is the brand across all luxury hotels visited
Mini Fridge:
- Alcohol and beer (extra charge)
- Sodas included (no worries about expensive charges)
Bathroom Features
Bathtub:
- Deep tub with incense candle and matches
- Guests actually allowed to light matches in hotel room
Sinks & Mirrors:
- His and hers sinks
- Great mirrors
Shower:
- Huge shower with six-foot to twelve-foot wingspan
- Rainfall shower head
- Stone construction
- Products provided
- Favorite bathroom feature
Private Balcony
Outdoor Space:
- Own private balcony with seating area
- See-through fireplace visible from inside
- Long enough to do cartwheels
- Stunning mountain views in every direction
Room Overall:
- Spacious and cozy simultaneously
- Feels extremely private
- Could leave door open at night to stargaze
- No one can see into the room
Value Assessment:
- Mini bar charges are a downside
- Room is exceptionally nice overall
- Sliding doors discovered later to close off transparent bathroom area
- 100% worth it
- Can't imagine how magical it is with snow on the ground and fireplaces going
Spa Experience
Why Visit the Spa: When looking up photos/videos of The Chedi, you always see the amazing pool, hot tub, and outdoor warm pool
Amenities Provided:
- Robes (nice and soft with hoods)
- Spa atmosphere
Pool Experience:
- Deep pools (on tiptoes in some areas)
- Never feels crowded
- Made mostly for spa relaxation
- Designed so you always have your own space and bubble
Outdoor Heated Pool:
- Warm but not boiling hot
- Outside in the elements
- Better than indoor pool
- Views of Swiss Alps mountains in every direction
- Can stay for very long time
- Have to "earn it" by first experiencing the cold elements outside
- Feels amazing once you're in
Guest Gratitude: Never thought we'd be in the Swiss Alps—it was on the bucket list. Very appreciative of what we can do because of viewer support.
Thermos Spa & Hydro Therapy
Gym: Pretty nice and spacious
Hydro Therapy Pools:
- Blue lights create atmosphere
- Multiple pools at different temperatures (like Goldilocks—testing to find the perfect one)
- Large pool: Pretty warm
- One pool: Super hot
- Left pool: Nice and warm, perfect temperature
- Floating in warm water feels modal
Steam Room:
- Can be hard to breathe
- Button activates misters to make it more humid
Overall Spa Experience: Very welcome after outdoor pool—perfect temperature and atmosphere
Andermatt Town
Town Characteristics:
- Every five minutes you see "the most Switzerland thing" and then something even more Swiss
- Running river in the middle of city
- Chalet-style buildings
- Mountains with snow on top
- Absolutely gorgeous
Dining Options: Great thing about The Chedi being in a small town—bunch of restaurants and bars nearby
Dinner Experience: On-Site Restaurant
Outfit Repeat: Laura wearing the green outfit from Baur au Lac (on a long trip, outfit repeats necessary)
- Anthropologie top, airy skirt, stockings, little black boots
- Stuart: Plain maroon long-sleeve from Old Navy, black jeans, Nike Airs, chain from Laura
Seating: They heard you like cheese, so they sat us next to the big cheese room (can go in for dinner)
Appetizer:
- Dish with something on top and bread with butter
- Super soft bread
- Very tart flavor—not a fan
- Texture issue (not a pâté person)
Main Courses:
Black Pepper Beef Special
- Vegetable fried rice
- Barbecue pork belly
- Immediate flavor—delicious
Pineapple Curry Dish
- Pineapple curry sauce with jasmine rice
- Perfect for pineapple lovers
- Made specifically for Laura's preferences
Dessert:
- Complimentary little desserts provided without asking
- Instead of mints, get a sampling
- Perfect dessert portion—just want a bite
- Service: Pretty top tier
Overall Restaurant Assessment:
- Except for the amuse-bouche, everything was excellent
- Just the basic restaurant (not the Michelin-star Japanese restaurant)
- Can't imagine what the Michelin-star experience is like if basic restaurant is this good
The Chedi Overall Assessment
Room: One of the rooms we did not want to leave
Special Moments: Left door open one night to look at stars—still felt completely private
Value Considerations:
- Mini bar charges are a negative
- Room quality exceptional
- 100% worth the experience
Final Impression: Modern design meets mountain serenity with impeccable service and unique Asian-inspired luxury in the Swiss Alps
Hotel #3: The Dolder Grand, Zurich
Overview
Design Philosophy: Property that looks like it stepped out of a European fairy tale
Opening Impact: From the second you walk in, there's a sense this place was built to be more than just a hotel
Shoulder Season Benefit: Same elevated experience people travel worldwide for, just without the crowds
Visual Impact: Looks like a castle on top of a hill—absolutely gorgeous
Art Collection & Design
Special Event Note: There was a special event during our stay, limiting some areas we could show
Art Throughout:
- Random hand sculpture
- Paintings everywhere
- Covered with precious, expensive art
- Salvador Dalí pieces included
- Long hallways with different styles of jewelry displays
- Common trend across luxury hotels visited
Favorite Feature: The Hermès boutique
Grounds & Exterior
Nature Path: Walking nature path outside the hotel that's very manicured
Atmosphere:
- Feels like Bridgerton (old architecture with plots of land, fields, and pathways)
- Like Versailles
- Expect a horse to start galloping down the path at any moment
Overall Experience: After five minutes, you realize the Dolder Grand is a curated journey—installations appear around corners, furniture feels like sculpture, every hallway is like a mini museum
The Room: Where the hotel really shows off—the view takes over the whole room
Deluxe Junior Suite Villa Tour
Entry Hallway:
- Very long hallway upon entering
Dressing Area:
- Quite large closet space immediately to right
- Mini bar (nothing included—water and sodas are extra, unlike other resorts)
- Snacks available for purchase
- Ricola looks particularly appealing
- Espresso machine
- Safe for valuables
Bathroom Features
Sinks & Amenities:
- Double sinks (always welcome)
- Dental set, hair ties, shower cap, earbuds provided
- Television available on mirror (so you're not alone with thoughts while brushing teeth)
Toilet: Separate toilet area
Shower:
- Bit on the small side
- Many shower heads plus rainfall
- Seating area available
Vanity Area:
- Large magnifying mirror
Jetted Tub:
- Favorite bathroom feature
- Everything ready for bath, including candle
Main Living Space
Furniture:
- Quite interesting shaped couch (very comfortable)
- Nice comfortable king-sized bed
- Television
What Makes the Room Special: The view
The View & Balcony
Location: Hotel is in Zurich but up on a hill overlooking the city—very close and convenient yet peaceful and serene
Balcony Features:
- Incredible wrap-around balcony
- Panoramic views of the city
- World's best bathtub with a view—can see the city while taking a bath
Room Assessment:
- Absolutely gorgeous
- Could live in that tub
- Walk-in closet huge plus
- Shower quite small but bonus points for ~50 shower heads
- Overall: Worth it
Spa Facilities
Experience: Feels less like an amenity and more like a world beneath the hotel
Features:
- Pools
- Saunas
- Lounges
- Quiet spaces
- Everything built around easing you out of the day
- Helps you settle into something softer
Evening Atmosphere
Vibe Shift: As night falls, the bright daytime presence becomes warm
Dinner Outfits:
- Laura: Aritzia (Vishi?) outfit, boots, leggings, purse
- Stuart: Kenny Flowers shirt, gray jeans, Nike Airs—casual and comfortable
Art: More stained glass and artistic elements throughout
Dinner Experience: On-Site Restaurant
Menu Challenge:
- Lot of liver and veal (not a big fan)
- Nothing tickling fancy
- Decided to order room service instead
Table Service:
- Lovely waiters
- Water, bread, truffle salt, regular salt, butter, olive oil provided
- Very empty but intimate atmosphere
Other Restaurant Note: Wished they could have tried the other restaurant (double the price, not in budget)—it's a two-Michelin-star restaurant that must be excellent
Starter: Got foie gras
Atmosphere: Totally giving Virgin Voyages vibes—super nice, very quiet, top-notch service
Food Assessment: Some things lacked flavor for the overall meal price—probably not worth it
The Dolder Grand Overall Assessment
Service & Value: Because of events happening during stay, can't give completely fair judgment on service and overall value
Personal Enjoyment: Did enjoy the stay despite limitations
Room: Absolutely gorgeous with incredible views—the bathtub location is unforgettable
Bonus Hotel: Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne
Introduction
Surprise Addition: Thought iconic stays ended at Dolder Grand, but Switzerland had another surprise
Property Details:
- Lakeside property
- Opened in 2022 (practically brand new)
- Opportunity for one more stay—a "bonus round"
- Final test to see if new luxury can outshine the legends
Lakefront & Grounds
Water Clarity: Crystal clear water—can literally see ducks' feet
Patio Area:
- Little patio seating
- Cold day during visit, so not many people outside
- More seating right in front of the lake
Garden Area:
- Outdoor bars (open during summertime)
- Love seat shaded areas closer to water—can really enjoy the lakefront
Favorite Spot: Little garden seating areas
Interior Design
Jewelry Display: Sapphires and diamonds—"all a girl needs"
Marble:
- Obsessed with the marble
- Want it in future home
- Combined with light green color throughout hotel—perfection
Scent Infusers:
- Every floor has scented infusers
- Massive size (never seen one so big)
- Really good fragrance
- Candles available for purchase
Security & Layout
Floor Privacy:
- Dividers to keep floors private
- Sectioned off from other floors
- Key card required to access floors
- Not everyone can access every floor
Restaurant Access: Restaurants open to non-guests, so it's important that guest floors are secured
Marble Variety: Different marble on different floors—intricate and unique designs never seen before
Artwork: Subtle art that makes you feel something—makes you feel special and alive
Guest Room
View: After a blessed trip visiting iconic hotels, you cannot beat these views from a hotel room
Balcony Wish: Wish they were there for a whole week just to sit on balcony and look at mountains
Wintertime Imagination: Can't imagine how beautiful it is in winter
Room Assessment:
- Comfortable
- Big
- Worth it
Lucerne City
Biggest Perk: Everything is right outside your door
City Character:
- Certain brightness to it
- Mix of lake, mountains, and old town charm
- Feels like one of the most walkable cities in Switzerland
Free Activities:
- Wander along waterfront
- Explore old town
- Cross the Chapel Bridge
- All with hotel just minutes away
- Outdoor atmosphere doesn't cost anything
Dinner Experience
Outfit Details:
- Laura: Dress from Aritzia, stockings, shoes, bag
- Stuart: All-around casual
Restaurant Environment:
- Pretty nice with pillars
- Satin elements
- Love seat seating (can both sit together)
- Prefer sitting across from each other but sitting together for video
- Menu available (paused on screen for viewers)
Prices: Some viewers shocked by pricing
Drinks:
- Spicy cider
- Lemon limoncello spritz
- Laura's first drink of the day
Appetizers:
Focaccia Bread
- Whole board/loaf provided
- Very crispy yet nice
- Slightly seasoned
- Unique with crunchiness
Dumplings (Recommended by server Matush)
- Excellent with sauce
- Slight kick
- Wished for more than three
- Want a whole board
- 10 out of 10
Main Courses:
Chicken
- Chestnut purée
- Mashed potatoes
Broccoli
- Laura's selection
All dishes: Amazing quality
Overall Dinner Assessment:
- Dumplings were the standout (highly recommended by server)
- All food was excellent quality
Travel Advisor Clarification
Important Information About Booking:
- When you book through a travel advisor (like Laura), you don't pay anything extra
- Hotel pays the advisor's commission, not the client
- Price online is the price you pay
- Sometimes can find it for less through an advisor
VIP Benefits:
- Relationships built with sales directors
- Clients flagged as VIP arrivals
- Get priority treatment
- Enhanced experience at no additional cost
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Video Goal
Original Intent: Not to chase the fanciest hotels, but to understand what an elevated experience actually feels like and if it's worth the price
Key Takeaways
Accessibility: You can get every elevated experience shown without breaking your entire travel budget
Strategies:
- Use shoulder season for significantly reduced prices
- Pick one splurge rather than splurging on everything
- Mix in a couple luxury days throughout your trip
- It's not about doing the most—it's about choosing the right moments that matter to you
The Three Hotels Compared
Baur au Lac, Zurich:
- Best for: History buffs and those seeking traditional luxury
- Standout: Impeccable service, traditional elegance, Michelin-star dining
- Vibe: Warm, inviting, classic European luxury
- Worth it for: Special occasions and experiencing legendary hospitality
The Chedi Andermatt:
- Best for: Mountain lovers and modern design enthusiasts
- Standout: Asian-inspired design, incredible spa, ski-in/ski-out access
- Vibe: Modern mountain serenity with excellent amenities
- Worth it for: Spa relaxation and alpine adventure combined
The Dolder Grand, Zurich:
- Best for: Art lovers and those wanting castle-like luxury
- Standout: Incredible art collection, stunning views, fairy tale setting
- Vibe: Curated museum-hotel experience on a hilltop
- Worth it for: Unique setting and panoramic city views
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne (Bonus):
- Best for: Lakefront luxury and walkable city access
- Standout: Brand new property, crystal-clear lake views, Lucerne location
- Vibe: Modern elegance with natural beauty
- Worth it for: Perfect location and contemporary luxury
Bottom Line
Luxury travel in Switzerland is achievable during shoulder season. By being strategic about timing and selecting the right moments to splurge, you can experience world-class hotels without breaking the bank. Each property offers something unique—choose based on what matters most to you: history, mountains, art, or lakefront serenity.