A stay at this institution of Zurich is more than just a hotel escape, it is about The Dolder Grand way of living. Where fine art effortlessly intermingles with Michelin-starred plates and where city comforts are just as important as countryside charm. LLM travel writer Baldwin Ho checks in to find out more.
Hotel
The Dolder Grand oozes refinement and luxury, from extravagant floral displays to the Swarovski crystal chandeliers; they even have a curtain made of Swarovski crystals in their events space. And their varied guest lists since opening have included the likes of Winston Churchill to Leonardo DiCaprio.
One thing you’ll notice extremely quickly is that it’s not just a resort, but an art gallery as well. With over 100 priceless art pieces from 90 artists, you will want to spend your time wandering the corridors of the hotel. You’ll come across a Salvador Dalí as you enter The Restaurant and encounter a René Magritte sculpture as you head to the spa. The two modern wings: The Spa Wing and The Golf Wing were constructed between 2004-2008, having been designed by renowned architect firm, Foster + Partners.
The hotel occupies an elevated vantage point on the Adlisberg, overlooking the glistening Lake Zurich with the snow-capped Alps on the horizon, yet, it is still remarkably close to the city centre. A shuttle service is provided every half an hour to the Town Hall on the hotel’s iconic classic Ford Transit Mascot, alternatively, you can take the funicular into the heart of Zurich.
The Dolder grand might have opened in 1899 but it still sets the trend for others to follow. This is showcased by the fact that they have been accepting Bitcoin for hotel payments since May 2019.
Room
All 175 rooms and suites offer impeccable views. Those overlooking Lake Zurich are the most sought-after, but even if you have a room overlooking the golf course or Zürichberg forest, you will not be disappointed. The rooms do vary in style: the rooms in the newer wings are contemporary and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows, whilst in the main building, some rooms are historically protected and have been restored to their original condition. Think exquisitely patterned headboard panels. Only the finest will do for their hotel guests with Bang and Olufsen televisions and Nespresso coffee machines.
Double vanities are offered in the larger marbled bathrooms. You’ll also find a voluptuous bathtub and a separate walk-in shower, complete with shower jets. Bathroom amenities are courtesy of Dr Burgener skincare products.
Food and drink
The Dolder Grand’s stupendous culinary offering is world-class, and top of that list is The Restaurant. When you have been lauded as much as their chef, two-Michelin-starred Heiko Nieder, you have every right to call your establishment THE restaurant. He offers a choice of six or eight-course tasting menus, often focusing on local ingredients. They have their herb and vegetable garden and offer a vegetarian-tasting menu as well. You might encounter his iconic dishes such as lobster with strawberries and the vegetable stock.
Chef Nieder has taken his love of vegetarian cuisine further by opening a pop-up this summer called Blooms situated near the edge of the forest.
The most spectacular of breakfasts are offered at their Saltz restaurant. How often will you see beef tartare and prawn cocktails offered on a breakfast menu along with the usual suspects? The staggering amount of options on offer means this is one ritual not to be missed when you stay at the hotel.
Spa
At 43,000 square feet, the award-winning spa rightfully takes pride of place in the pantheon of top spas in Europe. Their aqua zone is a haven for meditative relaxation with a 25-metre-long swimming pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, sanarium, steam bath, snow room and many more. There are plenty of deckchairs on hand so you are never too close to other hotel guests.
The elliptical feature pool is temperature-controlled and designed to soothe the body and the senses. Their spa treatments are designed around life balance: vitality, beauty, relaxation or detox, and if you opt for a massage, you’ll enjoy the comfort of your treatment from a heated massage table.
To do
With countless fascinating museums in Zurich, this is an ideal city to visit for culture vultures. Top of the list is Lindt Home of Chocolate, a museum that welcomed its one-millionth guest recently. Its popularity is due to the fact, it has a great mix of education and immersion – you can learn about the history of chocolate making and there are also opportunities for you to try the various products on offer. Their expansive gift shop is the best place to buy a chocolate gift for friends or family.
If you are looking for progressive museums, look no further than the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich. They currently have an exhibition focusing on the need to repair instead of having a recycling culture. They also have an exhibition on contemporary video game culture. Another of the city’s highlights is the Haus Konstruktiv, a modern art museum housed in a former power station, which often manages to secure eye-catching exhibitions from the likes of Leon Polk Smith.
Factbox
The Dolder Grand offers rooms from CHF703 per night.
Address: Kurhausstrasse 65, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 44 456 60 00
Email: info@thedoldergrand.com
Website: thedoldergrand.com
Hotel photography courtesy of The Dolder Grand.
