Park Hotel Vitznau, Lucerne, Switzerland

 

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The Park Hotel Vitznau on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland first opened its doors in the spring of 1903, after a three-year building project. A century later, history repeated itself. In 2009 the hotel closed for three years during a multi-million-dollar renovation. In  2013 the hotel reopened, as a lavish modern luxury hotel and spa with the full name of: Park Hotel Vitznau Health and Wealth Residence.

 

Park Hotel Vitznau know the importance of professional hotel photography, and after the publication of their coffee table book in 2014, they have commissioned Hotel Essence Photography on an ongoing basis.

Hotel Essence Photography

History

The hotel has a rich history, having hosted young upper-class men travelling around Europe to learn about art and culture. With the advent of railway lines in the mid 1800s, the route also extended to the middle classes. Way back, in 1871, the Vitznau-Rigi Railway opened to the summit of Mount Rigi (1550m). It is Europe’s first mountain cog railway (using cogwheels on a toothed track, designed for steep gradients), which climbs 1115 metres. This scenic train ride attracted many visitors to the area. In 1903 the luxury Park Hotel Vitznau, designed by architect Karl Gottlieb Koller, welcomed its first well-heeled guests.

The experience

When you sit in the gardens of this hotel, you are overlooking Lake Lucerne. This view is adorned by snow-peaked Swiss Alps and the “chocolate box” village of Vitznau. It is simply paradise.

The original owner, Josef Anton Bon, was both a visionary and a genius. The most exclusive rooms here, are called Residences, and come with a price tag for the seriously wealthy. The Residence is more than a hotel room. It’s more like a top-notch luxury penthouse apartment with breathtaking views over Lake Lucerne. Park Hotel Vitznau has taken every opportunity to provide the most spectacular possible views of the lake, from the hotel rooms.

The elegant facade of the Park Hotel Vitznau recalls the Belle Epoque, France’s Golden Age, in the late 19th and early 20th century. A hotel situated on a lake must be photographed from the water, as it’s essential to see the setting. This stretch of glassy water is the landscape within which the hotel sits. Lake Lucerne caresses the garden of the hotel, right down to the shore. The scene is simply typically Swiss and pristinely beautiful.

There is something about waking up in Switzerland, the clean Swiss air, perhaps, that makes you feel good. I can’t think of a better start to the day. Imagine an immaculately prepared breakfast box of home-made conserves, freshly baked bread and juice shots oozing with vitamins.

The facilities

The spa is one of the most beautifully designed. As a photographer, the infinity pool with its picture wall is almost unsurpassable. This has to be one of the world´s best luxury hotel swimming pools showcasing a breathtaking view of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. The hotel is only minutes walk from the village of Vitznau, an extremely photogenic area.

The gardens of this hotel are immaculate. The high-tech side also extends to robotic lawnmowers which sense obstacles and change direction. They seem to carefully groom each blade of grass. It’s a joy to be around the pavilion, savouring a coffee by the lakeside terrace, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of this wonderful scene.

Art lovers will not be disappointed, with paintings, murals, and a magnificent revolving bronze sculpture-fountain called ‘Bull & Bear’. The bull and the bear are symbolic beasts of finance, referring to rising (bull) and falling (bear) markets.

One unique distinctive feature of this hotel, which I have never seen before and is an excellent idea, is the glass doors. Each Residence suite has a floor-to-ceiling glass inner door. If a residence is occupied by a guest, the wooden outer door is closed. Similarly, if a room is available, the wooden door is left wide open and the glass inner door protects the room from guests wandering in. You are allowed to see into rooms and peak into the the view from the room to the lake. Therefore, you get a sneak preview of their uniquely designed decor and can decide which Residence to choose for a second stay. Perhaps, you may want to make it your business to stay in each and every one of the Residences.

Wine & Dine

Focus restaurant, led by Head Chef Nenad Mlinarevic and his team, can only be described as exquisite. The six wine cellars and champagne cellar are reputed to be among the finest in the world, with 30,000 bottles worth a total of $28 million. Beautifully designed, they can be visited on a guided tour with the sommelier, along with a tasting.

This is a hotel offering every conceivable luxury service and feature, such as: the limo transfers, the butler, the private dining, the history, the design, the high-tech gadgets, uber-luxury in every piece of fabric and furniture throughout, a first-class spa, superb cuisine, plus a destination that can only be described as heavenly. The Park Hotel Vitznau is a member of The Most Famous Hotels in The World.

The photos which Michelle Chaplow and her crew shot for the hotel were featured in an elegant hardbacked coffee table book by Andreas Augustin for The Most Famous Hotels in The World, published in January 2014.

Park Hotel Vitznau know the importance of professional hotel photography, and after the publication of their coffee table book, they have commissioned Hotel Essence Photography on an ongoing basis.

Infinity Pool & Lake Lucerne

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Dining

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Park Hotel Vitznau Meeting room Stanserhorn Saal
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Park Hotel Vitznau Meeting room Stanserhorn Saal
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Hotel Essence Details

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Exteriors

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Park Hotel Vitznau, Switzerland
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Spa

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Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Suites

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Vitznau in Winter

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Michelle Chaplow
Michelle Chaplow
Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Michelle Chaplow
Michelle Chaplow
Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Park Hotel Vitznau, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
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