Hotels & accommodation

Baur au Lac

Family-owned since 1844 · Grand hotel in its own park on Talstrasse, where central Zurich meets the lake

Baur au Lac stands in its own park on Talstrasse, where central Zurich meets the lake — a short walk from Bahnhofstrasse, Paradeplatz and the Bürkliplatz boat piers. The hotel was founded in 1844 by Johannes Baur and has stayed in family hands ever since; its name, 'on the lake', still describes the setting, with the park running down towards the Schanzengraben and Lake Zurich.

The hotel has 119 rooms and suites, many of them rebuilt in recent years. Rooms face either the park and the canal or the lake and the Alps beyond, and the interiors mix contemporary design with the building's 19th-century bones — the lakeside corner suites and the park-facing junior suites are the addresses most often requested.

Dining centres on Pavillon, the hotel's fine-dining restaurant in the glass pavilion in the park, which holds a Michelin star. The Baur's restaurant and bar serve a more informal menu, the lakeside terrace opens in summer, and Le Hall, the original entrance hall under its glass dome, is where afternoon tea is served.

As a scouting base, Baur au Lac sits at the junction of the districts expats weigh up first: the Enge and Wollishofen lakeside quarters to the south, Seefeld across the water, and the old town and university hill above. Zurich main station is ten minutes away, with direct trains to the airport, Lucerne, Bern and the mountains.

• Founded 1844 by Johannes Baur; still family-owned, on Talstrasse in its own park by Lake Zurich
• 119 rooms and suites, many overlooking the park, the Schanzengraben or the lake
• Pavillon restaurant in the park pavilion holds a Michelin star
• Le Hall under the original glass dome serves afternoon tea; lakeside summer terrace
• Member of The Leading Hotels of the World and Swiss Deluxe Hotels

Visit the property — Baur au Lac bauraulac.ch

This featured showcase is an editorial selection by our editors. We have not stayed at this property and it is not a paid placement; no rating is implied. Paid placements never influence the Switzerland liveability score, safety rating or warnings.