Take my breath away - The Spa on Top of the World
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.
Little details, big impact: a mastepiece of spa design.
Can I start off this review by letting you peek behind the scenes here at H Magazine? Not even 24 hours after the announcement that the members of Swiss Deluxe Hotels had unanimously voted to add the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne as one of three new members in July 2024, I had already dropped my lovely editor here a text message saying: ‘When’s the soonest I can go?’. As a beauty journalist with years of experience, there was really only one hotel spa left on my personal bucket list. And now, wrapped in my hotel bathrobe and wiggling my toes happily towards Weggis (or are those twinkling lights Küssnacht am Rigi?), I sigh contentedly: I’m finally here at the Bürgenstock. And in all honesty, I don’t ever want to leave.
Determined to make the most of my three-day stay at one of Switzerland’s most luxurious resorts, I embark on a whirlwind of discovery, right after checking in. Our gorgeous room, the Contemporary Bay View Suite, with its inviting bay window and huge bathtub with an unobstructed view of Lake Lucerne, 500 metres below, would have to wait. On a private tour of the resort, I learn more about its glamorous history (Audrey Hepburn, James Bond and more) and discover the most popular spots for marriage proposals, which I’ll not mention here to make sure it’ll be a surprise.
Both the delicious dinner of salad and grilled lobster at Oak Grill and the next evening’s culinary tour of Asia at Spices Kitchen & Terrace were thrilling – but for me, delicious bookends to the heart of my visit: a wonderfully indulgent day at the Bürgenstock Alpine Spa.
As a copywriter myself, I must congratulate whoever came up with the Bürgenstock Alpine Spa’s slogan floating between water and sky, as there’s simply no better way to put it – especially if you’ve been lucky enough to nab one of the front-row pool loungers that offer an unobstructed view of Lake Lucerne.
Laid out on over 10,000 square metres spread out over three floors, the Bürgenstock Alpine Spa is not only one of the largest of its kind here in Switzerland, but one of the most beautifully designed wellness facilities I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Even if you’ve only spent a few hours of your life on Instagram, you’ll probably have already seen the spectacular Infinity Edge Pool that is so popular among hotel guests and day visitors that I recommend a morning swim, if you want to avoid being an extra in someone’s TikTok. There’s plenty of room to spread out, though – and if it’s peace and quiet you’re after, you’ll find tons of nooks and crannies to unwind in. From the Alpine Spa Garden to various hammams, a floating chamber, the beautifully designed indoor swimming pool and various saunas, here you can both get lost – and lose track of time in the best possible way.
"Floating between
water and sky"
And as I still have to cram my wet bathing suit into my suitcase if I want to make the noon funicular trip back down the mountain, I’ll leave you with my last Bürgenstock insider tip. Whether you’ve arrived by public transport or car, you simply must pay the resort’s SkyBoutique a visit – if not for the lovely selection of niche perfumes, hand-picked from Parfümerie Hyazinth, then to take one last, breathtaking photo of you and the view from the freely accessible balcony, a small, glass-bottomed platform that thrills and chills in equal parts.
Steffi’s Signature Treatment Tip: 111skin
Black Diamond Non-Surgical Facial
(90 mins, CHF 390.00)
Luxury skincare brand 111skin, developed by a world-class plastic surgeon, Dr Yannis Alexandridis, is the culmination of three decades of surgical knowledge and innovative ingredients. The bespoke treatments include a number of medically inspired delivery methods… one of which I was lucky enough to experience during my Black Diamond facial.
Designed to soothe damaged, irritated skin, it was perfect for me, having just finished quite an intense course of microneedling treatments. I got to experience this beautifully calming treatment with gentle cleansing and peel, and a weirdly satisfying brush massage with an activating serum, designed to reset the skin’s natural healing properties. Finishing up with a black sheet mask for décolletage and face, the resulting glow is almost otherworldly.
Words Steffi Hidber
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