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Switzerland – famous for its chocolate, watches and snow-covered peaks – also offers plenty for the spa and wellness-minded traveller. And, being fit and healthy is a lifestyle dating back hundreds of years.
Grant Hotel National in Luzern
There is a historic European allure that comes with a five-star hotel dating back to the 1870s. At the Grand Hotel National in Luzern (www.national-luzern.ch) it’s the plush blue Cartier carpet as you take your first step into the lobby, the original rosewood furniture, the gold-plated decor and the authentic feel of nostalgia and royal flair.
Once settled, a sense of calm and culture can also be found in the hotel pool and sauna, maybe followed by a glass of wine in the hotel bar, which has kept its original style along with each of the forty individually-decorated guest rooms. The rooms all feature Chopard amenities, thick robes, and if you’d like to have your own private spa session, request a room with an extra large bathroom and a sunken tub (some rooms have showers only).
The boutique-style hotel offers a service and atmosphere that feels more personal than at most larger resorts. For instance, thanks to jet lag, I slept in the next day and woke up at noon, starving. No problem. They fixed me up a custom-made healthy breakfast even though the kitchen had closed. The night before, when I couldn’t sleep and was wandering the halls in my robe at 4 a.m., the night guard made me a cup of tea. Would that happen at a Hilton or Westin? I think not.
The hotel has a small fitness room. But unless you’re a fan of spending three consecutive days on a stationary bike, I recommend venturing across the street to Fitness Park for a bit more variation. Guests of the Grand Hotel National pay just 25 Francs (about $24 U.S.), and can spend the entire day at the spa and fitness centre. It is modern, clean (like the rest of Switzerland) and offer a wide range of treatments, fitness classes and equipment.
Although a December-visit might fulfill all your childhood expectations of a romantic European Christmas celebration, Michael Hoferer, the general manager, recommends visiting Luzern in the summer. That’s when you can make full use of the nature therapy of the area including mountains and rivers.
Julie Ryland is an editorial intern with TraveltoWellness.com
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