Panache Founder Director, Loveleen Arun stayed at the remarkable Mandarin Oriental Palace in Lucerne and what struck her most was how the hotel manages to feel both grand and intimate. Every detail, from the art collection to the personalized service, reflects a commitment to creating experiences rather than simply providing accommodation.
The lake stretches before you like liquid sapphire, framed by Alps that seem close enough to touch. Your balcony at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne overlooks this scene, but something more intriguing catches your eye. A contemporary sculpture stands in the lobby below, its bold lines deliberately clashing with the ornate Belle Époque architecture. This tension, this conversation between 1906 and today, defines one of Europe’s most compelling luxury hotels. The palace that once hosted European aristocracy now invites modern travelers to experience something rarer than opulence: the thoughtful collision of heritage and innovation.
Built at the height of Lucerne’s golden age as a spa destination, the Palace Hotel welcomed royalty, artists, and industrialists seeking Alpine air and lakeside tranquility. When Mandarin Oriental acquired the property, they faced a delicate challenge. How do you preserve a building that represents an entire era while creating spaces that speak to contemporary sensibilities? The answer lies in what they chose to keep and what they dared to change. Original stucco work remains untouched. Grand staircases retain their marble balustrades. Yet walking through the corridors, you encounter striking modern art installations that refuse to whisper respectfully in the presence of history. They speak boldly. A canvas of vibrant abstracts hangs opposite gilded mirrors. Minimalist sculptures occupy corners where potted palms once stood. This isn’t renovation. It’s curation.
“The hotel houses over 200 pieces of contemporary art alongside its Belle Époque heritage, creating a dialogue across centuries.”
Rooms where mountains meet water
The 136 rooms and suites understand their greatest asset: those views. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Lake Lucerne and the surrounding peaks like living paintings that change with every passing cloud. Many rooms feature balconies where morning coffee becomes a ritual of watching mist lift from the water to reveal the Rigi, Pilatus, and Bürgenstock mountains in succession. The décor strikes that same historical-modern balance. Rich fabrics and classic furniture acknowledge the building’s heritage. Sleek bathrooms with rain showers and soaking tubs nod to contemporary comfort. Suites offer separate living areas where you can work on a modern desk while surrounded by crown molding and parquet floors that have supported a century of footsteps. The Lake Deluxe rooms provide the most dramatic vistas, their terraces becoming private observation decks for sunsets that turn the Alps pink and gold. Some suites even feature panoramic roof terraces with 360-degree views encompassing both lake and mountains.
A base for alpine discovery
Lucerne sits at the strategic heart of eastern Switzerland’s most spectacular landscapes. The hotel becomes your staging point for journeys that range from gentle to exhilarating. Take the cogwheel train up Mount Pilatus, where 360-degree views reveal the entire central Swiss Alps. Drive forty minutes to Engelberg for the rotating cable car to Mount Titlis and its glacier cave. The Rigi, just across the lake, offers hiking trails through Alpine meadows in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Cultural explorers find Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument within walking distance, while day trips to Interlaken, Zurich, or even Italy’s Lake Como remain easily achievable. The concierge team excels at crafting itineraries that match your pace, whether that means helicopter tours over the Jungfrau or leisurely boat rides to lakeside villages where time seems suspended.
Four culinary worlds under one roof
Executive Chef Gilad Peled, a Michelin-starred veteran who once helmed Gordon Ramsay’s Le Pressoir d’Argent in Bordeaux, oversees the hotel’s four distinct dining destinations. Each reflects a different facet of culinary artistry.
Colonnade earned two Michelin stars for its modern French haute cuisine. Here, seasonal ingredients transform into innovative compositions that honor French techniques while embracing contemporary creativity. The elegant dining room provides the perfect setting for culinary journeys that unfold across multiple courses.
For intimate experiences, Minamo offers something truly rare. Just eight seats at the counter. One chef. Traditional Japanese omakase where every guest receives the same meticulously timed courses, prepared before their eyes. The restaurant holds one Michelin star and has become Lucerne’s best-kept culinary secret. Watch as nigiri takes shape, ask questions, savor the exceptional sake pairings. This is dining as theater and meditation combined.
MOzern serves as the hotel’s vibrant all-day destination. Mediterranean delicacies and Western classics flow from the open kitchen. Breakfast here is generous and international. Afternoon tea arrives with British precision and Swiss refinement. Evening transforms the space into a lively scene of sharing plates, creative cocktails from the circular bar, and views across the lake that make every meal memorable. Personally, i highly recommend the rainbow Salad.
When warm weather arrives, Quai 10 opens on the lakeside terrace at water level. Think 1920s charm meeting Mediterranean sunshine. Fresh focaccia emerges from the wood-fired oven. Grilled fish from the lake arrives alongside locally reared meats from the barbecue. Local herbs and vegetables brighten every plate. An aperitif here as the sun sets over the Alps becomes the kind of moment you revisit in memory for years.
Ready to experience this synthesis of past and present?
Contact Panache World to book your stay at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne. As Mandarin Oriental Fan Club members, we ensure our clients receive exclusive perks and upgrades that elevate an already exceptional experience into something unforgettable.
