Our beautiful heartland

I honestly would never have thought that a promise of ‘absolute privacy’ would be the deciding factor for my recent spa getaway, but after a hectic spring, chock-full of family and business obligations, nearly-missed deadlines, and a terrible case of the flu, I can’t think of anything better than a bit of peace and quiet. And that’s not just a marketing catchphrase at Park Hotel Vitznau, but a promise that they keep, time after time.

For this (my third!) visit to one of Switzerland’s most luxurious hotels, I’m absolutely ready to immerse myself not only in the gorgeous infinity pool, but also for the chance to indulge in an amazing culinary adventure. Even die-hard spa lovers like me will readily admit that the Park Hotel Vitznau’s award-winning restaurants are not just the icing on the cake, but the main reason why everyone should treat themselves to at least one night in one of the 49 unique, beautifully decorated suites. Sadly (or rather, quite understandably!), the owner’s family offices are located in the fairytale tower of the estate, but as almost all the other suites offer the same amazing lakeside view, I quickly forget my ambitions to become a Disney princess.

After checking into my elegant artist’s suite, practically located in the Theatre Gallery of the spa wing, I make myself a cup of Sirocco tea and enjoy the first of many moments simply basking in the view: On this blustery late-spring day, the lake sparkles in the sunlight right in front of me, and as I watch the passenger boats criss-crossing their way over the water, I can’t help but let out a sigh of wonder. What a beautiful country we get to live in! The reverie is short-lived, though... spa manager Meryem is waiting for me!

After my amazing treatment with the hotel’s beauty partner La Prairie, I’m relaxed enough to finally make proper use of the Park Hotel Vitznau spa. Laid out over three floors and boasting an impressive 1,500 square metres of wellness perfection, it’s easy to lose track of time here. After nearly losing my friend Nadja, who took the opportunity to hide away in one of the outdoor ‘shell’ lounges outside to soak up some sunshine, I manage to immerse myself up to my thighs in the frigid, crystal-clear waters of Lake Lucerne. The swimmer’s float with its water slide seems to goad me: just wait till I come back on a sweltering August day! Then it’s back to the pool for me, where I swim some leisurely rounds, before finishing off the best kind of parkour downstairs, bouncing lazily between the steam room, Finnish sauna, ice plunge and (my favourite), the high-tech ‘Tepidarium’.

After a dreamy, incredibly serene afternoon and early evening at the spa, it’s finally time to go get changed for dinner, and once again, the Park Hotel Vitznau sets new standards. I’m thrilled that we’ve been offered the ‘Chef’s Table’, an amazing culinary experience in which hotel guests can spend the evening literally in the five-star kitchen of the Grill Restaurant... or rather, right in front of it! Our tasting menu, prepared right in front of our eyes by the surprisingly quiet and highly concentrated chefs and helpers, thrills our taste buds. Sommelier Torsten keeps us entertained with a handpicked wine menu to go with each dish. Here we learn all about the Park Hotel Vitznau world-class collection of wines and are even allowed to peek into one of its most precious wine cellars, including an incredibly rare red wine from the 18th century.

Deliciously full and ever-so-slightly buzzed, all we need to do is drop into bed and sleep the sleep of the deeply spoiled. And if there’s a better summer pastime than a five-star hotel breakfast with an unobstructed view of the lake, please be sure to let me know. In the meantime, I’ve promised the Park Hotel Vitznau team that I’ll be back in time for its legendary yearly kitchen party in September. Before I go, I take one last, longing look across the lake before heading back to hectic Zurich.