A revamp of a lakefront grande dame hotel in one of Switzerland’s most alluring cities is nearing completion.
An artist’s impression of a suite terrace at the M.O. Palace, Luzern. (© Jestico + Whiles)
Nearly three years after announcing its second Swiss property, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is gearing up to welcome guests well before autumn. The former Hotel Palace Luzern — a Belle Époque landmark dating to 1906 — will reopen as Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern on September 24 following an extensive renovation. Located on the shores of Lake Lucerne and a stone’s throw from the old town, the hotel has been given a contemporary upgrade by local studio Iwan Bühler Architekten and London-based interior designers Jestico + Whiles.
The M.O. Luzern will have 136 guest rooms including 48 suites, all revamped to a design that uses a Mediterranean-inspired color palette while paying tribute to the surrounding Swiss landscape. A pair of Panoramic Rooftop Terrace suites afford sweeping lake and mountain views, and the Presidential Suite promises 133 square meters of living space. Most guestrooms have private balconies or terraces; all are equipped with Diptyque bath amenities, Dyson hairdryers, as well as Bose sound systems.
As for restaurants and bars, all-day dining venue MOzern Bar & Brasserie will offer Asian cuisine and Western classics, alongside afternoon tea and creative cocktails. Quai 10 specializes in Mediterranean fare served an alfresco setting by Lake Lucerne. Set to open in the first quarter of 2023 are six-seater Japanese restaurant Mizūmi and Colonnade, which will dish out French haute cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients.
Wellness-minded travelers can look to SPA Bellefontaine for face and body treatments by its namesake beauty brand. Facilities include a sauna, steam bath, and a relaxation room, and the hotel will also have a 24-hour gym stocked with high-end equipment from Life Fitness.
To celebrate the upcoming opening, the M.O. Luzern has rolled out two welcome packages, Be the First To Stay and The Ultimate Suite Experience, starting at CHF 700 (US$728) per night. Both offers come with daily breakfast for two and a dining credit of CHF 100 (CHF 150 for suites). Also part of the deal? Complimentary access to the nearby Sammlung Rosengart Museum, whose collection includes works by famed European artists such as Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Klee.
A rendering of the Presidential Suite’s living room. (© Jestico + Whiles)
