Grand Hotel National
Lucerne, Switzerland
from Travel Intelligence
|
Address: |
Haldenstrasse
4, 6002 Luzern |
| Telephone:
|
+41 41 419 09
09 |
| Fax:
|
+41 41 419 09
10 |
Review
Jamie Dunford Wood:
Of the three grand 'old ladies' by the lake, the 135-year-old National is
probably the finest. It is grand, airy and bustling, with a feeling of being
something of a social hub, which is always gratifying when you're actually
staying there, as most of the diners downstairs and on the wonderful lakeside
terrace are visitors.
The original reception area has
been turned into a tea room, so today's reception is tucked away far at one end.
Walking the length of it you imagine that this is a huge hotel, but in fact much
of it is taken up by appartments or suites on long rentals, another good sign
for the traveler.
Currently
they have 95 rooms and suites for rent - the figure is a floating one depending
on how many long term residents there are. The rooms are light and elegant, with
well made repro furniture in cherrywood. Ceilings are high and the doors and
heavy and panelled, both of which give the rooms a feeling of classic solidity
lacking in other hotels which have been cut about. Many have balconies large
enough to take breakfast on, right on the lake. The art on the walls is original
and well chosen. Of the four floors (3 to 6), the 3rd and 4th have recently been
renovated in french empire style, with marble floors, chandeliers, exquisite
rugs, brass bedsteads and silk panelled walls - handmade, they informed us.
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