Grand Hotel National Luzern – Lucerne, Switzerland

The first hotel I stayed at here in Switzerland was the luxurious Grand Hotel National Luzern –  a five star hotel built in the 1870s by César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier. The legendary building is divided into several departments where as the accommodations are located on the left hand side if you’re standing faced to the Lake Lucerne.

The hotel has 41 rooms, musical entertainment in the National bar and several restaurants. I had the privilege to dine in one of them. I will write a separate review of the fantastic food I got to taste in Restaurant National, which is also where the breakfast area is located.

They also have an indoor swimming pool and sauna. Right opposite to the hotel lies town’s best-equipped exercise and wellness centre; Fitnesspark National.

I arrived at the Lucerne’s main train station around 5pm. I was told to look after a man named Philipp suited in a dark dress nearby the kiosk. It was hard for me to tell which man I was looking for, but it didn’t take more than a few seconds before a man made eye contact with me. Philipp approached me and greeted me by my name. He helped me carry my luggage and showed me the way to the parking lot where a black Mercedes were waiting for us.

The hotel is located in the heart of Lucerne, only 5 minutes away from the station by foot. So it took us only a few minutes to get to our destination. The short car trip gave me many wonderful impressions of the city. The moment I stepped inside Grand Hotel National I was warmly greeted by the hotel staff. Philipp didn’t left my sight upon check in, he made sure I had everything I needed and showed me to my wonderful room located in the 3rd floor.

EMPIRE JUNIOR SUITE WITH A PANORAMIC VIEW OF LAKE LUCERNE, THE ALPS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.

The hallways were covered in luxurious silk wallpaper and the floor was decorated with hand-woven carpets. While walking towards my room I had no expectations on what to see. It’s better that way and I think the most exciting part when it comes to exploring new hotels is not knowing much of the room that I’ll get to stay in. I like the feeling of being surprised. It makes me feel alive, human and my feet planted on the ground.

Philipp opened the door for me like real gentleman. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the room was the interior design. I was amazed of how beautiful and great it was considering the hotel was built in the 1800s. It gives you a feeling of traveling back in time. The wall was covered in silk wallpaper and the floor was made of Italian marble.

The spacious 38 square meter junior suite is furnished with a kingsized bed, a sofa, coffee table, chairs, night stands and a working desk. It’s also equipped with a docking station for iPhone 6(!), a minibar and a flatscreen tv with entertainment system. Free Wi-Fi is included, as well as complimentary mineral water, coffee and tea as there’s a Nespresso machine with tea making facilities in the room.

The junior suite has a balcony facing the lake which gives you a full panoramic view of Lake Lucerne, the Alps and its surroundings. A beautiful scenery to wake up to every single morning. It will surely take your breath away as much as it did mine. During summer, it must be lovely to order breakfast in bed and just sit on your balcony while eating the first meal of the day.

The bathroom is separated from the bedroom. It’s located on the right hand side the second you walk into the junior suite. There I had my own shower and bathtub which I luckily got to take advantage of during my stay at the hotel.

After two wonderful nights at the Grand Hotel National Luzern it was time for me to leave. It was a pleasure to live there during my first days in Switzerland. Thank you for giving me such a fantastic impression of Lucerne city and for making me feel home.