There’s no other address in Zurich like the Dolder Grand. Foster + Partners worked their modern architectural magic on this 19th-century Swiss manor in 2008. But good taste never goes out of style, and as I arrive at the hotel’s perfectly oversized crimson porte-cochère, the Dolder Grand looks as impressive as it did when its makeover was unveiled 17 years ago.
Perched on the woodland slopes of Zurich’s Adlisberg hillside, Lord Norman Foster’s artistry for retrofitting historic buildings (hello British Museum) isn’t the only thing to capture my attention. With my back to the hotel, I gaze upon one of Zurich’s most exceptional views, as the city’s tangerine-tinged skyline meets the shore of Lake Zurich and the Alps beyond.
Turreted and proud, The Dolder’s original building has kept all the ingredients of a fairytale castle and remains the leading lady. All be it now with a pair of elegant sidekicks in the form of two glass wings: the Golf wing and the Spa Wing. Peeking out from either side of the 126-year-old structure, neither wing alludes to its sheer scale, which doubled the hotel’s footprint. Inside, lie many of the things that make The Dolder Grand an irresistible city resort to both local and international guests: a 43,000-sq-ft spa; Michelin-starred dining and a 100-strong art collection ranging from momentous to delightfully playful, with works by Dalí and Murakami. Outdoors feels more like a mountain retreat than a hotel within ten minutes of the city centre, enveloped in forested trails and one of Switzerland’s oldest golf courses.
Of The Dolder Grand’s 175 rooms and suites, the best are located on the upper floors. Each suite comes complete with butler service and offers its own balcony with endless lake views, plus a living room with fireplace, and ensuite with bespoke amenities and sauna. You just need to decide on aesthetics: go contemporary with a glass-fronted Golf Suite, or opt for late 19th-century grandeur in one of the Suites Deluxe, each restored to its original splendour with frescoed ceilings and parquet underfoot.
The Dolder Grand’s five presidential suites are each named after a historic cultural icon. The most luxurious is the Maestro Suite, in tribute to the famed Austrian composer, Herbert von Karajan. Occupying 4,300 sq ft and two floors of the hotel’s central tower, it gives the air of a luxurious lookout post. Each of the two bedrooms features an ensuite bathroom finished in light bianco oro and moody portoro marble. Whilst the circular dining room and towering atrium with antique grand piano both set an evocative scene. Upstairs is the equally impressive Tower Room. Equipped for unwinding, it is decked with a bar and fireplace and leads to a private balcony — The Dolder Grand’s highest viewpoint.
The dining options at The Dolder Grand are extensive. Your day will begin at Saltz, The Dolder’s Grand’s all-day dining restaurant designed by Ralph Sachs. On your way in, admire striking modern artworks, such as Finnish artist Jani Leinonen’s Chapel of Remorse stained glass installation.
In the evening, stop by the Krug Lounge for an aperitif before taking your pre-reserved table by the window at two-Michelin-starred The Restaurant led by chef Heiko Nieder. Nieder’s six- to eight- course tasting menu brings innovative flair to classic, well-sourced ingredients, with dishes such as flower-adorned line-caught seabass and scallops with ginger, citrus and miso. The accompanying wine pairing allows you to sample a variety from The Dolder Grand’s 500-strong wine list. At lunch, you can try the ‘amuse-bouche’ menu, which allows diners to sample much of Nieder’s offerings on a smaller, lighter scale.
Eight-seater Mikuriya, the hotel’s Japanese omakase restaurant, provides a front row seat as chef Atsushi Hiraoka crafts dishes such as Wagyu Sukiyaki and nigri. Whilst amidst strawberries and courgettes within the hotel’s vegetable garden, seasonal summer restaurant, Blooms, offers beautifully plated vegan dishes.
You’ll also almost always find something new, in the form of The Dolder Grand’s rotating concept restaurant. We tucked into refined Middle Eastern offerings at chef Firas El-Borji’s Oriental Hideway pop-up. Guests in September can also enjoy the hotel’s annual Epicure Festival, featuring guest chefs from leading international Michelin star kitchens.
The spa is of such epic proportions, it was given its own wing.
Whilst amidst strawberries and courgettes within the hotel’s vegetable garden, seasonal summer restaurant, Blooms, offers beautifully plated vegan dishes.
The Maestro Suite.
The spa is of such epic proportions, it was given its own wing; equipped with his, hers and mixed facilities. Encompassing 18 treatment rooms, therapies on offer range from couples spa rituals and bamboo shiatsu, to signature facials such as the Hydrating Beauty Facial by skincare brand Margy’s of Monte Carlo, which I was lucky enough to try.
Expect 90 minutes of meticulous attention to the face, neck and decalage. After an in-depth examination of my skin, my facialist Chiara created a custom treatment incorporating everything my skin needed: neroli flower and glycolic acid for exfoliation and tightening pores; apple stem cells and niacinamide for repairing and elasticity, with absorption aided by the help of a cooling oxygen gun. The results were impressive.
For getting out and about in Zurich, The Dolder Grand offers its own limousine service that can zip you into the city and beyond. Guests can also hop on to the complimentary shuttle, which will drop you outside Zurich’s Kunsthaus Art Gallery — don’t miss works by Rembrandt, Giacometti, Munch, VanGogh and Picasso.
The Golden Key-awarded concierge service is on hand to help with recommendations and reservations for everything from luxury shopping on Bahnhofstrasse, Michelin-starred restaurants, and bookings at traditional bathhouses on Lake Zurich.
