H Stories

After Bern and Lucerne, thirst and the desire to discover the local delicacies have brought our editor to Basel. Situated at the so-called Rhine knee, the sublime Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois proved to be a comfortable starting point for liquid adventures and the search for top-shelf cocktail establishments.

The railway station in Zweisimmen in the Bernese Oberland only has seven platforms, yet a group of strikingly elegantly dressed winter travellers have gathered here. A designer from New York in a shiny brown fur blouson approaches us to make sure he’s in the right place – does the train to Gstaad leave from here?

Why head out on a walk, embark on a hike or go running in Montreux? Because your dopamine will thank you! Being outdoors in the Swiss Riviera offers the perfect way to do some sightseeing, complete with a bit of light training, or a hard session – depending on what kind of activity you are looking for. On top of that, you’ll also feel instantly happier. Here are my favourite spots:

Thousands of tiny golden leaves and dots are shining in the sun. I notice them even before I see the famous yellow stores above the balconies upon arriving at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace.

Shall we call it the crème de la crème, or does the spa world deserve its own seal of excellence? There are various reasons I hadn’t yet made it to the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, with its breathtaking views and beautiful spa. But this only proved that good things are worth the wait, and that sometimes, reality exceeds expectations.

A museum for the ears, trekking with llamas, saunas on Lake Zurich, world-class design and, of course, plenty of culinary highlights: discover four popular Swiss destinations from a different perspective with the travel guide from our food author Alexander Kühn - and enjoy the comfort of five Swiss deluxe hotels!

The unthinkable happened: my favourite Thai restaurant in Zurich closed down. Actually, it was just a humble Thai shop/takeaway cooking a most yummy lunch. Communal tables, colourful cushions, exotic fruit and silly crackers lying around, a big altar praising His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, you know.

I grew up playing tag with my sister on the back seat of our Chevrolet station wagon without even knowing where the seat belts might be located, drank warm water out of our plastic hose outside and did what any other self-respecting child born in the early 1970s did: I followed my parent’s rules – and lied to them easily when I didn’t: Classic Generation X, right?

There’s a reason the term Presidential Suite carries such weight in the world of luxury travel. Born out of a necessity to host dignitaries and heads of state in a manner befitting their status, these suites weren’t just about providing space; they embodied the prestige and gravitas associated with their respective occupants. In some ways, they’re not just places to stay—they’re backdrops to diplomacy, cultural exchange, and occasionally, high-stakes negotiations.

Crafting Timeless Elegance and a Heritage-Driven approach from Concept to Creation, this passion has become the essence of Iconia Group, a multidisciplinary interior architecture company.

Whether it be nature lovers, bikers, culture vultures, foodies or wine connoisseurs, Lugano attracts visitors all year round with its Mediterranean climate and diversity and it's a mere two-hour train journey from Zurich!

Hieronymus was a scholar and has become the epitome of medieval scholarship in lore. Albrecht Dürer portrayed him in deep contemplation in his writing room, surrounded by symbolically significant accessories of thought. This space for contemplation still serves as a guiding inspiration for the Hieronymus brand today. The passion for the black art of letterpress printing has been preserved to this day and the Swiss company dedicates its entire portfolio to paper and writing culture. Nostalgic? We asked Creative Director Thorsten Traber about this topic.

Zurich’s Dolder Grand hotel is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, and has long stood as a beacon of timeless, casual luxury.

Presidents, prime ministers, the royals, half of Hollywood and London’s high society have all enjoyed the privilege of sitting at Anton Mosimann’s table. The only way to top this exclusive experience is to dine with him. Switzerland’s most famous chef is the perfect old-school gentleman and a walking history book. We had the privilege of accompanying him on his rally through half of Switzerland – in the slipstream of his fiery red Jaguar XKR8.

I don’t know about you, but I always feel ambivalent about oh-so-attractive and apparently-super-duper-exclusive upgrade offers – be it at a hotel, fashion store, rental car company, fine dining restaurant, on a webshop or per Instagram DM.

I’m honestly kind of surprised that – having survived the wonderful yet energy-zapping years of early child rearing, parents’ evenings from hell and moody teenagers – I find myself in a Zurich café with my editor and friend, Evelyn, launching into a caffeine-fuelled monologue about my younger daughter Lily that leaves us both somewhat jittery, exuberated and slightly in need of a lie-down.

When it comes to nightlife and bars, the heartland of Swiss tourism at Lake Lucerne is a real dark horse. During our visit, we meet a bar chef who tickles our taste buds, bravely order a cocktail with a bite, and dine in what is probably the most exclusive Japanese restaurant in Switzerland.

Discover how to prepare for your first marathon.

With its imposing neo-baroque architecture and sprawling, verdant gardens, the Palace, as it is known locally, has remained a sought-after destination for over 160 years for those seeking an indulgent experience in one of Switzerland’s most breathtaking settings.

Vevey and Lake Geneva seen from the iconic Terrace on Mont Pèlerin – today it would never be possible to build it as wide and impressive. A veritable piazza on the mountain.