MKV DESIGN
BÜRGENSTOCK ALPINE SPA
Taking the heritage of spa at Bürgenstock to
a new level, the design for the unprecedented
10,000 sq metre Alpine Spa is simply stunning.
Built partly on the site of the previous spa, which
was introduced in the mid-1970s, and extended
by blasting a tunnel through the mountain which
now emerges into a cantilevered glass box, the
spa is perched on the side of mountain, 450
metres above Lake Lucerne. relaxation room, numerous specialist treatment
rooms and sauna. On the landside, there is a
state-of-the-art gym, hair salon and changing
rooms, and in between, the spa restaurant
connects the two wings and opens onto an
outdoor terrace. There are also three pools; one
inside and, outside, the Hollywood Pool as well
as the spectacular Infinity-Edge Pool with water
maintained at 36 degrees. Guests may also
enjoy a private spa terrace.
It is linked to the fourth floor of the Bürgenstock
Hotel and extends across three levels. The tunnel created a challenge for the
designers: how to elevate a walk through a
mountain into part of the spa journey for guests
making their way from reception to the lift
lobby? The solution was to take the idea of a
museum walk which links The Palace Hotel and
The wellness areas indoors wrap around the
fully glazed walls providing the ultimate in
rejuvenating views from the pool, L-shaped
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THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY 25
the Bürgenstock Hotel and create a second
museum walk through the mountain corridor of
the spa.
There is a magnificent reception desk carved
out of a single piece of white Arabescato
marble; smoked oak finishes and local stone
abound. The spa restaurant remains in its
previous location and is more traditional in style
than the rest of the spa, in keeping with the
earlier design. Swiss-style fabrics, worn leather
upholstery and original furnishings complement
the look with a touch of nostalgia and fond
memories of the original spa.