Baur au Lac

Baur au Lac has been one of Zurich's grand hotels since 1844, when Johannes Baur founded it on the edge of the lake. It is still owned by the same family, now in its seventh generation. The hotel stands in its own private park beside Lake Zurich, a few steps from the lake end of Bahnhofstrasse and Bürkliplatz, and close to the old Schanzengraben moat, so you have the city on the doorstep and greenery outside the window.

The hotel has 119 rooms, including 27 junior suites and 18 suites, ranging from 25 to 100 square metres. Decor mixes Art Deco, Louis XVI and English Regency styles with contemporary touches, and many rooms look over the park, the lake or the Alps, while others face the city. Baur au Lac is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, and its services include a 24-hour concierge, a limousine service and its own florist.

There are two restaurants. Baur's, the brasserie and bar, serves European classics with a strong wine list, and Marguita offers Mediterranean cooking with a lakeside terrace. Le Hall, the lobby bar, is a calm place for a drink, afternoon tea is served in the hotel, and Baur au Lac Vins is the hotel's own wine business. In December, a seasonal Chalet au Lac adds a winter dining option. The fitness club looks out over the park, the lake and the Alps, and the hotel runs summer and winter well-being programmes.

The hotel suits travellers who want classic luxury and a quiet setting within walking distance of everything. Couples, business travellers and families who value space will all be comfortable. Prices are among the highest in the city, and it is worth booking early for major events and the summer season.

Zurich main station is about 1.2 kilometres away, a pleasant walk down Bahnhofstrasse or a short tram ride, and the airport is around 10 kilometres away. The Bürkliplatz weekly market, the lake boats and the shops of Bahnhofstrasse are on the doorstep, and the Fraumünster and the Old Town are a few minutes away on foot.