Staying at Hotel Vitznauerhof on Lake Lucerne is like taking a step back in time. The magnificent historic building has a striking red and white design, which stands proudly against the dramatic mountain backdrop. Vitznauerhof is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the beauty of Switzerland! Here’s what to know about the luxury property, dining at Restaurant Sens, and all about our own experience.
Arriving in Vitznau Town
So how did we end up in Lake Lucerne? Our travels started out in Zurich, where we spent two fun nights in the city. After experiencing some of the best things to do in Zurich, we headed off to the lakes around Interlaken.
Our time was spent kayaking, hiking, and taking in the viewpoints from the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Needless to say, after so many days of nonstop adventure, we needed a place to relax. We decided to end our Switzerland trip with two days on Lake Lucerne at a luxury hotel.
The Vitznauerhof Hotel is set on the east side of the Lake about 40 minutes away from the city of Lucerne. You likely won’t want to leave the property once you check in, but there are so many fun things to do in the area. Be sure to check out these helpful Switzerland travel tips before your visit.
Vitznau is a small village on the lake with just a few restaurants and shops. Popular highlights include taking the ferry, riding Europe’s first railway, and making a day trip to Lucerne city.
Hotel Lobby & Bar
As soon as we walked into Hotel Vitznauerhof, it felt like we were immediately transported to a high-end estate. The views from the lobby overlooking Lake Lucerne are straight out of a dream!
While it is complete with many modern features, know that this is a very historic hotel. The art nouveau style property first opened in 1901, which means it’s been in business for over 120 years.
One thing that completely stood out were the beautiful paintings on the ceiling. The lobby is adorned with art and sculptures that really cater to its historic past.
To the right side of the reception, there is a bar and lounge area. We didn’t spend time here during our visit, as we always found ourselves down by the water in the evenings. However, we can imagine that it would be the best spot to relax in the fall and cooler winter months.
Vitznauerhof Room Tour
When it comes to the rooms at Hotel Vitznauerhof, you will find all the amenities you’d expect at a luxury hotel. We honestly weren’t anticipating it to be so modern at such a historic property.
Yet, we had super comfortable bed, mini-fridge, flat screen tv, espresso machine, and sleek bathroom. Our room was located on the 1st floor with a stunning view facing Lake Lucerne.
We loved waking up with a coffee and looking out to the water and mountains. There was only a fan instead of air-conditioning unit, but we had a nice breeze coming in with the window open in late August.
As we mentioned, we didn’t spend that much time in the room. There was just too many nice areas to relax both inside and outside the hotel. Still, it was a great place to lay our heads at night and wake up super refreshed.
You can view all the different rooms at Hotel Vitznauerhof on Lake Lucerne here.
Breakfast at Hotel Vitznauerhof
The first morning, we got up and went down for a delicious breakfast. There is a long dining room set up with tables against the windows just behind the lobby.
As we turned the corner to the food, we saw a large spread of meats, cheeses, lox, breads, and jams laid out. There was even a bottle of Prosecco on ice if you’re ready to celebrate your vacation early!
You can also order off their menu for different coffees and items like omelettes and eggs benedict. Everything was super high-quality, and the best part about breakfast is the view!
The tables look out towards the front of the hotel, so you can enjoy your morning meal looking out at Lake Lucerne.
Romantic Morning at the Spa
One of the highlights of our stay at this Lake Lucerne Switzerland hotel was the spa. After a scrumptious breakfast, it was time to head down for a treatment.
We booked an aromatic oil bath for two, and yes… It was just as romantic as it sounds! Our time started with a full tour of the facilities, which were quite impressive.
The staff led us into a private room for a bath after a soothing lemon tea. Here they explained the benefits of the oil, as it was poured it into the bubbling water.
Once we got out after a 45 minute bath, we really felt like different people! We were told not to shower off to let the oils soak into our skin. This was such a unique experience, and we highly recommend booking a spa treatment at Hotel Vitznauerhof.
There is also a sauna, steam room, and small swimming pool just outside. If you’re up for a massage or other treatments, be sure to take a look at their official website here.
Weekend on the Water
While the inside of the property is certainly spectacular, one of the best reasons to stay at Hotel Vitznauerhof is its location on Lake Lucerne.
Visiting in the warm summer months allowed us to enjoy the outdoor areas of the property. As you walk outside from the lobby, you’ll see the traditional strandkorbs, small loungers, and other comfy lawn chairs.
The standkorb’s are definitely a hot item when the hotel is fully booked, so you’ll want to get there early to get a seat! You can even order drinks from their menu right to your seats via mobile phone.
We had great weather during our visit to Lake Lucerne, and we spent plenty of time in the water. Also, we took advantage of their stand up paddle boards and floaties that are free to use for guests.
Panoramic Terrace Restaurant
Every night, we made our way down on the dock for sunset. The sky illuminated over Lake Lucerne, which made for a beautiful end to the evening.
To the right of the main dock, is a bar and panoramic terrace restaurant. This is a great place for drinks or dinner.
We loved their cocktails, local beer options, and tasty snacks off the menu. Definitely try their Swiss burrata and extensive list of regional seafood plates.
The Panoramic Terrace was a place we found ourselves at often throughout the late afternoon. Yet, for a truly special dining experience, you’ll want to see where we ate next!
Dining at Restaurant Sens
On our last night, we had the opportunity to eat at Restaurant Sens. It’s located to the left of the property if you’re heading down to the water.
While we were waiting to be seated, we had a drink and sashimi starter. This really set the tone for what was the best meal we had in Switzerland!
Restaurant Sens plays host to different chefs from around the world in the summer. Each chef has one month to showcase their own creative menu to guests at the Vitznauerhof.
We could even tell that people came from outside the hotel just to eat here. In August, we had an unbelievable 7 course tasting menu by the renowned chef Ruud Oostdijk.
Our table was on the dock sitting right above the water. What a magical place to eat dinner out on Lake Lucerne!
Some highlights of our dinner included Oxtail with truffles, tandori scallops, and the mangalica pork. The fantastic tasting menu ended with a cherry and felchlin chocolate dessert that we still think about to this day.
Watching the sunset with a glass of Swiss wine and a gourmet meal was simply incredible. It was truly the perfect end to our stay at Hotel Vitznauerhof!
Should You Stay at Hotel Vitznauerhof?
Absolutely! If you couldn’t tell, this was one of our favorite places we stayed this summer in Europe.
Its pristine location, history, and dining options, make it a must-visit for travelers heading to Switzerland. Hotel Vitznauerhof is the perfect getaway for couples on a romantic holiday.
While we visited in the summer, we would also love to return in the fall or holiday season. Just know the property closes briefly from January 1st to March 15th.
The spa and water activities are also a nice bonus to what the property offers. Even if you aren’t staying here, you may want to stop in for dinner at the Restaurant Sens.
Have any questions about this Lake Lucerne Hotel or want to share your own experience at Hotel Vitznauerhof? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
This experience was made possible in partnership with Hotel Vitznauerhof. As always, any opinions and recommendations remain our own.
Pin For Later ↓
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
