Swiss spa hotels: wellness excellence boosted by exceptional nature

1. Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa, Lausanne

The pitch? Built in 1906-1909, this luxury Swiss spa hotel just a few meters from Lake Geneva soon attracted not only the wealthy and famous, but also royalty such as Spain's Queen Victoria Eugénia, widow of Alphonse XIII, and Thailand's King Bhumibol. Since 2009, the 5-star hotel has been owned and completely renovated by Qatari Diar Real Estate, and is part of The Bürgenstock Collection (Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne, The Adria London).

What's the hotel-spa like? Behind its monumental facade, bristling with turrets, lies the lobby, with its cathedral lounge adorned with engravings and paintings, and 105 rooms and suites revisited in shades of grey-blue. 91 others are located in the contemporary garden wing, accessible from the historic part via a glass corridor. These accommodations are punctuated by Art Nouveau influences and design touches that invite quietude. Two restaurants share the spotlight with gourmets: the sophisticated Brasserie du Royal, where local and seasonal products are the order of the day, and the SkyLounge, where guests can enjoy cocktails and sunny dishes in front of a spectacular panorama of the lake.

What's the spa like? Located in the basement, but with large bay windows, the 1,500 m² wellness area features a heated indoor/outdoor pool connected by a sliding wall. There's also a sauna, hammam, private women's spa and gym, where pilates and yoga classes are held. In the 8 cabins, therapists offer treatments by Dr Burgener Switzerland, a Swiss brand with a holistic and scientific approach, such as Détox Swiss Salts Ritual. This body protocol, which uses purifying therapeutic salt from the Swiss Alps, extracted from the Anzeindanz glacier and rich in minerals, eliminates toxins, prevents water retention and restores the skin's balance.

For the face, opt for VIP 02 treatment from Biologique Recherche (the other partner with Kos Paris), using the VIP 02 range and the Remodeling Face machine (four currents acting in synergy to improve volume and tone). Both regenerating and revitalizing, the result is a more radiant complexion!

Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa, Lausanne
196 keys from €333 per night.
40 avenue d'Ouchy, 1006 Lausanne

2. Grand Hotel Belvedere, a Beaumier Hotel, Wengen

The pitch? Clinging to the immaculate slopes of the car-free village of Wengen, accessible only by cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen, the Grand Hotel Belvedere brilliantly resurrects the Alpine elegance of yesteryear in a Belle Époque version. Completely renovated by the Beaumier Group, this historic five-star hotel opens out onto the Jungfrau and restores the prestige of mountain hospitality. Today, the hotel's heritage architecture meets a sleek, contemporary design.

What does the hotel-spa look like? Original facade, natural materials, sober lines: everything here fades into the background. The 90 rooms and suites, flooded with light, offer spectacular views of the peaks. The Beaumier suite, the most prestigious, features a panoramic bathtub, Mamco works and a vast private balcony. Two restaurants explore the flavours of the Swiss terroir: the Brasserie Belvédère, with its Art Nouveau ambience, offers refined seasonal cuisine; Waldrand, more relaxed, offers dishes to share with an Alpine accent.

What's the spa like? Inspired by Japanese onsen, the Grand Hotel Belvedere spa cultivates the art of well-being in a mineral setting overlooking the valley. Heated indoor/outdoor pool, cold bath, sauna, hammam, relaxation room with views of the Jungfrau... the experience is immersive and rejuvenating. Treatments are designed by Susanne Kaufmann, the Austrian pioneer of clean, plant-based care. Highlights include the Signature Body Care (invigorating body scrub and global anti-stress massage) and the Ultimate Men's Massage, including body, face and scalp. A holistic, made-to-measure approach that combines ancestral know-how with high cosmetic efficacy.

Grand Hotel Belvedere, a Beaumier Hotel, Wengen
90 keys, from €368 per night
3823 Wengen, Switzerland
beaumier.com/en/properties/grand-hotel-belvedere/

3. Hotel Giardino Ascona

The pitch? On the edge of the last Swiss Alps and the first Italian lemon groves, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, the town of Ascona exudes a sense of dolce vita, tinged with modern touches. An ambience shared by this 5-star hotel, established in 2008 by Daniela and Philippe Frutiger. The Giardino Group also includes the Giardino Mountain in St. Moritz and the boutique hotel Giardino Lago in Minusio near Locarno.

What's Switzerland's spa hotel like? Nestled in a Mediterranean garden, the Tuscan-style buildings surround a water-lily pond, where koi carp roam. A member of the Design Hotels family, the hotel offers luminous spaces in fresh, summery tones. The 53 rooms and 18 suites are bright and open onto the garden or mountains, with bright colors and natural woods accentuating the cocooning atmosphere. At the Ecco Ascona restaurant in summer (in St-Moritz in winter), the executive chef experiments with textures. The other Hide and Seek Ascona restaurant, run by Francesco Leone, offers innovative dishes, including Ayurvedic dishes in conjunction with spa treatments.

What's the spa like? 1,300 m², with sauna, hammam jacuzzi, indoor and outdoor pools, and gym. Cedi più spa (which means "more" in Italian) is inspired by nature in Ticino, and treatments include the Dipiù cosmetics line developed by Daniela in collaboration with local winemaker Meinrad Perler. Merlot, grape seeds, olive oil, almonds, chestnut honey and herbs are used in the composition of the products, which are free from parabens, colorants and synthetic mineral oils. In the spotlight: the Dipiù Intensive Anti-Aging facial with skin analysis, peeling, drainage, regenerating mask and final treatment with Merlot antioxidants.

Giardino Ascona is the first Swiss hotel-spa to offer multi-day Ayurvedic cures. A la carte treatments also enable guests to try out these protocols, which promote inner well-being and outer beauty.

Hotel Giardino Ascona
71 keys from €513 per night.
10 Via del Signale, 6612 Ascona

4. Le Grand Bellevue, Gstaad

The pitch? Set on the Promenade, in the heart of a vast park, this 5-star hotel is one of the oldest establishments in the chic resort. Built in 1912, Le Grand Bellevue was bought by Daniel and Davia Koetser in its centenary year. The young couple have completely redesigned the place, without stripping it of its former glamour. This warm, friendly and relaxed address stands in stark contrast to its neighbors in the same category!

What's the hotel like? From the moment you enter, you'll be surprised by its cheeky elegance and eclectic design. The British-inspired lounge, with its 17-metre-long pink velvet Chesterfield and birdcage chairs, lends itself to afternoon tea. The 48 rooms and 9 suites (including 4 panoramic suites in the tower) feature refined decor in soothing tones, enlivened here and there by splashes of color. At Leonard's restaurant, chef Francesco de Bartolomeis prepares seasonal dishes with the help of local producers. A sushi bar and an intimate Petit Chalet, dedicated to traditional Swiss dishes, seduce gourmets, who end the evening in the private cinema.

What's the spa like? Its 3,000 m² are reminiscent of a thermal oasis, with 17 different wellness zones: herbal sauna, hay sauna, infrared sauna, laconium, Turkish steam bath, salt inhalation grotto, kneipp pool, and an indoor pool, where yoga classes are held on a board. In the 10 cabins, therapists lavish rituals from partner brands Cellcosmet, Bamford, Dr Barbara Sturm and Caviarlieri. They also pamper skin with treatments inspired by Swiss nature, such as the Alpine Salt Scrub, the Goat's Milk and Honey Bath and the Hay Bath.

For a more sophisticated approach, this Gstaad spa organizes 3-day customized retreats, in conjunction with the Dr Djoon by Clinique Rive Gauche team, using state-of-the-art aesthetic equipment.

Le Grand Bellevue, Gstaad
57 keys from €641 per night.
17 Untergstaadstrasse, 3780 Gstaad

5. La Réserve Genève Hotel, Spa and Villa

The pitch? On the shores of Lake Geneva, 5 km from the city center, this 5-star hotel is the brainchild of owner Michel Reybier and decorator Jacques Garcia. Acquired in 2003, the Geneva establishment was the first in the appellation, which now includes La Réserve Paris and La Reserve Ramatuelle.

What's the hotel like? Nestled in a 4-hectare park, Switzerland's hotel-spa resembles a sumptuous, timeless lodge, reminiscent of a lost paradise. In the 73 rooms and 29 suites, warm African hues, giant cotton sateen beds, leather-trimmed explorers' desks and old photographs of the bush recount the magic of the expeditions of yesteryear. Adjacent to the park, a 380 m² villa with 3 bedrooms and hotel service is ideal for getaways with friends. Epicureans will delight in the Le Loti restaurant, which takes their taste buds on a journey around the world, in TséFung, Switzerland's only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant, or in the healthy Café Lauren spa. A kids' club and tennis court complete the offer.

What's the spa like? Drawing on the scientific and medical expertise of the Nescens brand, the 17 cabins offer à la carte treatments and comprehensive programs. The aim is to recharge your batteries and optimize your quality of life, such as the 4-day Nescens Better Aging Break. Medical appointments, osteo and nutritionist consultations enable the creation of a tailor-made cure with massages, wraps, balneotherapy, physical activities and dietetic meals. The 2,500 m² spa also features indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and steam room.

A plus for families: La Petite Réserve welcomes children aged 6 months to 13 years, while parents relax at the spa.

switzerland Tourism / Serge Hoeltschi

La Réserve Genève Hotel, Spa and Villa
102 keys from €564 per night.
301 route de Lausanne, 12093 Genève-Bellevue

6. Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken

The pitch? In the picturesque Bernese Oberland, in the heart of Interlaken, this 1865 hotel offers a privileged view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, three mythical peaks eternally covered in snow. Bought in 2014 by the Michel Reybier Hospitality group, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the 5-star hotel cultivates the art of hospitality, between tradition and modernity. Summer and winter alike, it appeals to lovers of active mountain leisure.

What's the hotel like? The Belle Epoque architecture with its country-style accents contrasts with the refined contemporary interior. From the public areas to the 110 rooms and 106 suites, luxury is expressed with style and elegance. Classic furnishings, high-quality fabrics and soft shades of grey and blue create a light atmosphere conducive to relaxation. Rooted in the region, the creative cuisine of the Terrasse Brasserie reinterprets traditional dishes, while the Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori transports guests to Italy. The Bienehuus, a children's house in the park with its many activities, is a paradise for 3-12 year-olds.

What's the spa like? In its 5,500 m², 40s-style boudoir atmosphere, Switzerland's leading spa hotel offers a comprehensive range of Nescens anti-aging treatments for face and body, à la carte or as a cure. An outdoor swimming pool, outdoor saltwater whirlpool, saunas, steam rooms, a 20m indoor pool and two tennis courts provide the perfect setting for relaxing moments. You can enhance your physical and mental well-being in the fitness club, with or without the assistance of a trainer. To take full advantage of the Bernese Oberland's most beautiful open-air gym, personalized fitness sessions are organized. Sessions (recovery or training) are preceded by a body analysis (muscle mass, bone structure, water, fat) and a nutritionist consultation. Another option is to discover the local area through accompanied hiking and cycling tours.

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
216 keys, from €582 per night.
41 Höheweg, 38000 Interlaken