Rath checks in: Park Hotel Vitznau

An interesting development when I look at the beginnings of the hotel: in 1903, a family of hoteliers steeped in tradition opened the hotel with the aim of reviving a grand hotel. The target group at that time: the traveling nobility, who were to enjoy a counterpart to the spacious country estates on Lake Lucerne.

In the meantime, the Park Hotel Vitznau has also gained an international reputation under the new owner. Numerous awards from the house – it is one of the Leading Hotels of the World, General Manager Urs Langenegger is Hotelier of the Year – raise my expectations. I have extensively tested for you whether they are fully met.

The Park Hotel won me over even before I set foot in the lobby. The property awaits you with its gleaming white walls directly on Lake Lucerne. Hard to believe that the building is more than 100 years old.

The location is outstanding: I can see the Bürgenstock and my home town of Beckenried from the hotel’s own beach. The water is so clear, the lake so inviting, if I could I would swim home to the other side of the lake. The house is well known to me, from old times. At that time it still belonged to the portfolio of the family-run Oetker Collection. At that time, Frank Marrenbach was still in charge of the group’s fortunes as CEO.

Unlike on my last trips, I don’t check in as soon as I arrive. It’s still early, the weather is like early summer, so I explore the surrounding area first. In doing so, I come across the famous Philosophenweg, as I am to find out later. After I cross Seestraße behind the house, I enter a small wooded area and am guided by discreet information boards onto a circular path that leads past beautiful ferns and waterfalls.

I follow the information boards for half an hour, all of which offer exciting wisdom for visitors to the forest. This inspiring break was initiated by writer, yoga teacher and philosopher Ben Rakidzij, who has had a long-standing partnership with the hotel. On my next visit I will definitely book a yoga class with him directly. Maybe even as part of the yoga weeks from July 11th to August 6th.

In the mood for a pleasant lightness, I finally enter the hotel. And I’m impressed. I didn’t expect the interior to be so stylish in white and classy. Everything is very bright, flooded with light and invitingly designed. I discover new facets of the Pühringer Group on every floor. Each floor is designed as an independent gallery. For example, I found out that the Palais Coburg in Vienna, as a sister hotel, also belongs to the group.

However, my first enthusiasm gets a tiny damper right at check-in. “Sir, how can I help you?” This formal address seems surprisingly cool, somehow stiff and runs like a red thread through many encounters. Shouldn’t it be possible in such a house to be addressed by my name? A little more personal warmth would suit the otherwise almost perfect house.

I don’t let this formality disturb my enthusiasm and enjoy my suite to the fullest. There are 48 in total. I feel like I’ve booked the loveliest bedroom in the whole house. When I enter my room, I notice the 3.60 meter high ceiling. There is a lot of room for improvement here, in a practical sense, not in a figurative sense. The processed wood is of the very finest. Minibar and coffee bar are generously equipped and included in the room price.

And again my gaze wanders to the beautiful lake. Floor-to-ceiling windows make it easy to enjoy both sunrise and sunset. I treat myself to a bath in the free-standing bathtub. Even the towels are perfect: big, firm, not too fluffy, not too coarse. They have just the right feel-good consistency. Everything is built to last, excellent.

The health factor: Medical care at the best level

Surely you know outstanding medical institutes with 100 or more beds. With its 16 beds and 28 employees at the Vitznau site, the Cereneo Clinic is one of the smaller institutions. It is located next to the suites under the roof of the Park Hotel Vitznaus. With the field of neurorehabilitation, the experts at the clinic specialize in stroke patients. In addition to the treatments, the institute is also researching the fight against neuronal diseases and offers its patients new therapeutic approaches.

Based on the successful concept in Vitznau, Cereneo was able to open a second clinic in Hertenstein, Weggis, with a further 23 beds in 2020. The quality of the clinic precedes its reputation: celebrities and international guests travel to Lake Lucerne especially to be treated here. Niki Lauda spent his penultimate hours in this beautiful place.

Although excellent clinic services and the hotel are under one roof, Pühringer manages to skilfully separate the two areas. In any case, as a hotel guest, I don’t have the feeling of moving in a clinical environment. However, I can also take care of my health.

The choice between an ice-cold ice grotto and a heated infinity outdoor pool is in favor of the pool. A fabulous view of the lake and the surrounding mountain landscape makes diving into a true wellness experience. The facial treatment, specially designed for men looking for relaxation, promises a rejuvenation of my complexion. Did she work on me?

Taste for the palate: wine cellar and award-winning cuisine

Is a glass of red wine every day good for the heart? Well, opinions differ on that. The fact is, if you stay at the Park Hotel Vitznau, you should definitely try one of the many fine wines. The in-house wine cellar is one of the most exclusive in the world, oh what am I saying: the universe, and houses over 35,000 wines. It is best to book a guided tour and taste the wine treasures from all over the world.

The six wine cellars are divided into France, New World, Old World, Château d’Yquem, Champagne and additional rarities. The wine cellar has nothing to do with a classic “cellar”. The lovingly sorted bottles and matching lighting are reminiscent of a noble museum in which one likes to spend time and also forgets the time. At least that’s how I felt. A little tip: Book an extensive (head) massage in the spa for the next day.

Conclusion: Health travel of the new generation

Health is the most important thing in life. How good that there are houses where I, as a guest, can combine the sometimes unpleasant and lengthy recovery with a subsequent hotel stay. With its spa and yoga offerings, I strengthen my health at the Park Hotel Vitznau even when I’m not currently convalescent. It is probably one of the most expensive hotels in Switzerland with an average rate of 1400 francs. “Once-in-a-lifetime experiences” from the view to the spa to the gastronomy are worth every penny.

The need for holistic concepts is becoming more and more popular with travelers. Forward-looking hotels like the Park Hotel Vitznau integrate this approach as long-term added value. I’m sure more will follow, creating a new generation of health travel experiences.

Rath’s travel rating (current rating in bold):
1. Explicit Travel Warning
2. Better than under the bridge
3. So-la-la, not o-la-la
4. Complaining at a high level
5. If only it were always like this
6. BIG CINEMA

About the author: As a former grand hotelier and operator of a travel platform, Carsten K. Rath is a professional globetrotter. He travels to all the hotels he writes about for the Handelsblatt on his own account. Rath is the brain behind the ranking “The 101 best hotels in Germany”, whose partners include the Handelsblatt.

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