Laurel Waldron finds serenity near Zurich, Switzerland’s trendy city with easy access to the Alps

With Zurich being the gateway to Switzerland’s best skiing, you’d be remiss not to extend your weekend and enjoy a night in its largest city. Rather than being stuck in the hustle and bustle of the center, a 10-minute taxi ride away you’ll have the chance to experience a fairytale stay with Alpine views and a two-Michelin star menu.

One of Switzerland’s grand hotels, the Dolder Grand has reigned over Zürich since 1899, resplendent on a hilltop with views of Lake Zürich on one side and the snow-capped Alps on the other. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Swiss Deluxe Hotels, the Dolder Grand has retained its character thanks to major renovations, the latest dating from 2004 by London architects Foster & Partners.

It retains its Belle Époque glamor and has added contemporary touches with stylish neon branding. Past guests have included Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein, the Rolling Stones and King Charles III. The most luxurious of its 175 rooms and suites will set you back around five thousand dollars a night, but for that kind of money, guests have access to a selection of BMW cars for exploring the city.

We loved the Carezza Suite, inspired by the works of Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, and the 100 Suite, named after the 100 club in London, a favorite of the Stones. We stayed in one of the Junior Suites which had a modern hot tub contrasting the heritage decadence and cozy touches like scented candles.

Gastronomically, the Dolder Grand is one of the most popular gastronomic destinations in Zurich. Saltz Restaurant is open all day and serves a classic bistro menu, Mikuriya offers Japanese Omakase and the open-air Blooms Restaurant is the place to savor the afternoon if you’re lucky enough to catch the summer sun. winter.

Zurich: the coolest city in Switzerland, with access to the Alps

However, the simple name “The Restaurant” is the star of the show. Led by celebrity chef Heiko Nieder, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant – among the city’s top-rated – serves an exceptional menu of delicate, beautifully constructed creations that are almost too beautiful to eat. From the eight-course tasting menu, we ate king crab and caviar with lamb’s lettuce, avocado and horseradish and guinea fowl fricasse with celery, Shio Koji and Périgord truffle, Japanese pear, roasted soybeans, basil and matcha.

Ski-weary legs will be grateful for the 43,000 square foot relaxation area, designed by renowned spa master Sylvia Sepielli. The interiors are inspired by his stay in Japan. An 82-foot swimming pool, an outdoor swimming area with views of Lake Zurich, Japanese-inspired Sunaburo baths filled with hot pebbles, separate women’s and men’s saunas, steam rooms, kotasu foot baths, aromatic pools, steam pots, cold water pools and deckchairs are available to take away. You can withdraw from socializing, close one of the many doors and find a quiet, remote corner to shut yourself off from the world for a few blissful hours.

Learn more: To Ski or Not to Ski: How to Plan a Trip When Snow Is Uncertain

The mountaintop hotel also houses an art collection that would rival that of the Tate Modern. It houses more than 120 works by artists like Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Fernando Botero, Keith Haring and many others, and guests can take a self-guided tour through the halls and grounds to appreciate works such as the large retrospective painting by Warhol, which extends a huge 11 meters above the reception.

While it’s very tempting to hide away in the hotel when the snow starts to fall, Zurich comes alive during the festive period with some of the best Christmas markets in Switzerland. More than 10 distinct markets light up the streets from November 21 until Christmas Eve, with traditional handmade gifts, daily concerts and plenty of hearty food and drinks, including the ubiquitous fondue, while the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon floats through the city.

Winter weekends are perfect for strolling around festive markets and relaxing in cozy dresses. The Dolder Grand is a no-brainer.

Visit Zurich yourself

Rooms at Dolder Grand start from 740 CHF (around £653) per night, bed and breakfast; theoldergrand.com. Flights to Zurich with SWISS from £72 one way. Book on suisse.com.

Learn more: Ski holidays on the Swiss Riviera, with deserted slopes and a long snow season