Park Hotel Vitznau has its origin in a simple boarding house Villa Pfyffer that was situated on 15 acres of rich land below the magnificent Mount Rigi on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Started in 1901 and completed in 1903, the Park Hotel Vitznau was built in the Belle Époque style by architect Karl Koller, who also designed the Suvretta House in St. Moritz. Opened for the first summer season on April 22, 1903, the hotel has undergone numerous structural and decorative renovations and today resembles a majestic, fairy-tale castle with all the modern comforts of a luxurious hotel.
It might be a grand chateau looking out over the mist-touched lake and towering Alps from an earlier time. This is, after all, the country of William Tell, the region that inspired some of Richard Wagner's mythic operatic creations. Its rooms, decorated in pastels and restrained floral, many with balconies or terraces, have a somewhat formal old-world feel. Bathrooms are elegant retreats done in white and rose marble. The air of relaxed formality carries over to its highly rated Quatre Cantons and Panorama restaurants, and to public areas such as the sun lawn, where white wooden chaises, fluffy towels delivered to your chair, and a vista of placid Lake Lucerne may make you feel like a 19th-century traveller here for the invigorating air and scenery.
There are plenty of modern amenities, from the indoor-outdoor heated pool to the lavish new beauty and wellness spa, but all are as discreet as the prompt service. The real focus here is the gorgeous surroundings. The hotel offers waterskiing; tennis courts, and bicycles, as well as access to golf and horseback riding nearby. Venture out to the charming village of Vitznau, take the cog railway up Mount Rigi or Mount Pilatus for a breathtaking view, or time your visit to include the Lucerne Festival.