Bürgenstock — Local services in Lucerne

This is a very cool & interesting place to visit when touring Switzerland. You can get there by ferry and a funicular ride, or simply drive up to the resort. Our tour guide brought us here by car. It's a luxury hotel, spa, resort, and tourist destination. You don't need to be a guest at the hotel to walk around the grounds, visit the restaurants, or to enjoy the trails & views from the lift.

Many famous celebrities have stayed at the old Palace Hotel. There is a "Wall of Celebrities" as you walk up to the main Bürgenstock Hotel. The informational plaque next to it lists them by name. Sean Connery stayed there during the filming of "Goldfinger" and apparently there were scenes from the movie that were filmed by the pool. Do you remember the scene when Goldfinger is playing cards on the pool deck? How about when Felix is peeping through a small window from an enclosed pool bar before meeting up with Bond? Those scenes were not filmed in Miami. Just note the fake Miami backgrounds in the movie. Those scenes were filmed in Bürgenstock at the Hollywood pool. I was more interested in the fact that Audrey Hepburn had her wedding at the small resort chapel, and that Sophia Loren lived in a villa that has since been modernized into a restaurant.

The main reason for our planned visit was to walk along the Felsenweg Path to take a ride on the Hammetschwand Lift. Only that didn't happen due to the weather. It was raining on our final tour day. It would have only been worth the hike on a sunny day to get those wonderful views of Lake Lucerne. Either way, it was great just to walk around and read about the history of the Hammetschwand Lift. It's similar to the one you'll see at Rhein Falls, only this one is much higher along the cliff at 152.8 meters tall. It's a seasonal attraction, so make sure that it's open before attempting the visit. There's a nice restaurant with beautiful views at the top of the mountain. On a clear day, you'll get great views of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. That's the reward.

Definitely go on a clear day. I think the only time the lift is closed would be during the winter months, or due to inclement weather. The drive up to the resort was also very scenic. We even had a rare sighting of a mountain goat. For us, it was worth the trip even on...

Bürgenstock is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels of Switzerland, offering an unparalleled blend of stunning scenery, modern amenities, and a unique travel experience. My visit to this picturesque mountain resort was nothing short of exceptional.

Firstly, the scenery at Bürgenstock is breathtaking. Perched high above Lake Lucerne, the views are absolutely mesmerizing, with panoramas of the shimmering blue lake against the backdrop of majestic mountains. Each vantage point reveals a different aspect of its natural beauty, from lush green valleys to craggy peaks, making it a photographer's paradise.

The journey to Bürgenstock is efficient and seamless. The transport options are well-organized and remarkably punctual, ensuring you can maximize your time soaking in the views rather than worrying about schedules. The ferry ride across Lake Lucerne and the subsequent funicular transport adds an element of excitement, whisking visitors up the mountain with ease.

One of the standout features of the experience is the high-tech railway vertical elevator, which offers a thrilling and modern ascent. This impressive piece of engineering not only minimizes the travel time but also provides panoramic glass views during the ride, enhancing the overall experience. It’s truly a marvel of technology that complements the natural beauty surrounding it.

Once at the top, the clean and well-maintained environment reflects Switzerland's dedication to preserving nature and providing a pleasant visitor experience. Every corner of Bürgenstock is aesthetically pleasing and invites you to take a moment to appreciate your surroundings.

Whether you're enjoying a leisurely walk along the trails, indulging in fine dining with a view, or simply breathing in the fresh mountain air, Bürgenstock is a place that captivates the heart and soul. Overall, it’s an experience that combines luxury, nature, and innovation, making it a must-visit destination when in Switzerland. I can’t recommend Bürgenstock highly enough for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of this...

For the 10th anniversary of our wedding, we wanted to be pampered in the Bürgenstock. We reserved a table at the Oak Grill.

First the positive: the service was extremely friendly and helpful. Some small mistakes, such as serving the wrong customer, leaving used dishes for too long or not refilling beverages can certainly be improved.

The biggest criticism comes from the fact that you end up feeling ripped off at this restaurant.

Examples of my criticism are: It is incomprehensible why you have to pay for the parking space yourself with the prices charged in this restaurant. In any other high-priced restaurant, it goes without saying that parking is included.

We treated ourselves to the so-called OAK GRILL & POOL PATIO for the whole family, which cost a proud base price of CHF 115 per person (the children were cheaper). What a surprise when an extra CHF 20 was charged for my wife's meat (a tiny portion of 180 grams). That feels disproportionate and also cannot be improved by the fact that it was Angus beef. But the great thing was the BBQ sauce, for which you pay another CHF 6 extra (mind you, there is no other BBQ sauce that is free).

What also surprised us pretty much was the fact that we had to pay the full CHF 30 again for a plate of chicken nuggets (we're not talking about caviar or lobster here) because our son shed a glass of water over the plate that was otherwise not touched. Of course the plate was replaced immediately, but we weren't told that it would be chargeable. We only noticed that on the invoice.The dessert, which the children did not want, was of course not deducted.

Why, for guests who pay several hundred francs for their food, childcare costs 20 francs per hour is also completely a mystery. At the end we paid another CHF 40 for 1 hour of childcare, which was simply disproportionate.

Overall, you can say that if you really want to get ripped off, the OAK GRILL & POOL PATIO is definitely a good place to go. But don't forget, the food is definitely not...