Where history becomes alive
All 101 guest rooms renovated
One of the aims of the extensive renovation work was to be able
to showcase all kinds of stories sourced from the past 170 years. Under the project title „Wo Luzern Geschichte(n) schreibt“
(Where Lucerne writes history/stories), every room and suite has
been dedicated to a guest with a special story. They not include
great personalities such as thinkers, artists, politicians, athletes,
musicians and crowned heads, but also unknown guests, whose
stories are part of the hotel‘s history.
There are stories centred on world stars such as Anastacia and
James Blunt having breakfast together, and on athletes such as
marathon runner Viktor Röthlin cooking pasta in the Schweizerhof kitchen. There are anecdotes involving the hotel‘s concierge,
Enzo Baciocchi, who has been with the hotel more than 25 years:
one concerns his sourcing a Bernese Sennenhund puppy for an
American guest.
Each room‘s design tailored to a story
The last story in the project emerged from a competition run last
autumn. Of the 60 unique submissions describing experiences or
incidents involving the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, one stood out:
that of 97-year-old Karl Frey, who won the main prize – a room
dedicated in his honour. The story tells of the professional risk
he took when he forecast good weather for a crucial meeting in
the Alps during the Second World War, observing the skies from
the roof of the Schweizerhof. The contributions were examined
by a jury.
Each story may be read on the writing desk of its room or suite.
One wall in each room is also prominently inscribed with a quote
or piece of graphic design taken from or inspired by the story. The
story experience is further enhanced by details including special
greeting music via the TV and a unique display of objects, many
of them donated by the personalities featured. Various illuminated windows will be drawing the attention of the outside world to
the unique concept.
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A further 14 stories giving insights into episodes in the Schweizerhof‘s past are featured in the hotel‘s public areas for the benefit of guests not staying overnight. The hotel will shortly be publishing a book in two languages containing every one of the stories.
HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF LUZERN
LUCERNE
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The Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern has a proud history of welcoming
emperors and empresses, crowned heads, writers, politicians,
captains of industry and musicians. Count Leo Tolstoy wrote a
story here; this is also where Richard Wagner completed his Tristan and Isolde and met with his patron, Ludwig II of Bavaria. Mark
Twain stayed here during his Swiss travels and wrote about them.
Modern-day guests can sense here a long and rich history, which
is at the same time the history of the Hauser Family.
LUCERNE
HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF LUZERN
The Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern has inaugurated its 101 new guest rooms and suites at a festive gala evening this Wednesday, 14 May 2014. Guests will have the opportunity to experience
a wealth of stories from the past 170 years – stories that play a central role in the venture.
Amid the current spate of spectacular hotel openings in the Lake Lucerne region, the Hotel
Schweizerhof Luzern stands out for its hotel tradition and continuity.
Th e Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern took advantage of the major refurbishment work this spring to renovate three seminar and function
rooms.
Further consolidating its position as festival hotel of choice
The Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern is aiming to leverage its new
unique room concept to consolidate its position as Lucerne‘s festival hotel of choice and to incorporate the rooms in the overall
vision. Large numbers of local residents come to the Schweizerhof thanks to partnerships forged with the town‘s many festivals
(e.g. Blue Balls Festival, Lucerne Blues Festival, Fumetto Comix
Festival) and to events organised by the hotel itself, such as the
Retro Festival.
The Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern has been in the same family for
more than 150 years. That, and the devotion shown to the establishment by Clemens Hunziker, its Director since 1999, have
made it possible for the Schweizerhof to make the transition to
a Lucerne institution that is much frequented and much loved
by locals and visitors alike. Amongst the many spectacular hotel
openings currently taking place in Central Switzerland, the Hotel
Schweizerhof Luzern unique 101-room concept featuring individual stories restores the balance in favour of tradition and continuity.
www.schweizerhof-luzern.ch
Photos: HO