Perched 450 meters above the glittering waters of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland’s Bürgenstock Resort (41-41/612-6000; doubles from US$211) has long been popular for its jaw-dropping panoramic views. The first hotel on the 60-hectare property opened in 1873, with subsequent additions drawing celebrities like Audrey Hepburn (who was married here) and Sophia Loren, though the resort began to lose its luster from the 1970s onward. Today’s Bürgenstock has been granted a new lease on life, thanks to an almost US$600-million-dollar revamp that has added two hotels, serviced residences, a hillside golf course, and a whopping 10,000-square-meter spa complete with a rooftop infinity pool. Another highlight is Sharq restaurant (picture above), which offers Lebanese cuisine with prime lake vistas to boot. And this being Switzerland, visitors can walk off their meals on the 70 kilometers of hiking trails in the idyllic surroundings.

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2017 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Taking Stock”).