La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich — Photo by La Reserve Hotels

La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich opened on January 8, 2020 following a two-year restoration project helmed by Philippe Starck. The property joins hotelier Michel Reybier's La Réserve collection of hotels in Geneva (2003), Ramatuelle (2009) and Paris (2015).

Design

The French Empire-style building dates back to 1909 and houses the only luxury hotel located on Lac Zurich. The majority of the 40 rooms and suites have views of the lake and many have their own private balcony or terrace. Taking inspiration from the location, Starck wanted to give guests the feeling of being on a yacht. He lent his signature contemporary touch with neutral tones and sleek metal accents, while honoring the building's historical elements, revealing the original exposed red brick, marble and hardwood floors, and keeping the iconic blue-and-white-striped awnings that adorn the lake-facing façade.

Guest rooms make the most of the space, with glass walls separating the living area from the bathroom and natural light pouring in from the large windows. Quirky nautical touches include wooden oars, paintings of sailboats and room numbers printed as if they were on a racing sail.

The lobby's original wooden staircase and iron elevator have been preserved; the latter re-imagined with a glass enclosure for a mix of modernity and timelessness that epitomizes the property's new look and feel. Another focal point is the stained-glass windows by artist Ara Starck (daughter of Philippe) depicting landscapes that evolve throughout the day as the sunlight streams through them.

Dining

The ground-floor Eden Kitchen & Bar features an open kitchen and large bay windows overlooking the lake and serves globally inspired dishes and Swiss classics like sautéed veal and potato rosti. The sixth-floor rooftop restaurant, La Muña, has a Peruvian-Japanese menu in an eclectic space that resembles the interior of the hull of a ship. Come spring, guests can dine and have drinks on the rooftop terrace, which offers 360-degree views of the city and the Alps in the distance.

Location

Located blocks from the Opera House, the Bell Époque hotel is sandwiched among a row of historic buildings. La Réserve's central location is within walking distance of Pavillon Le Corbusier, the iconic architect's last completed project that reopened in Fall 2019; and the Old Town, the medieval heart of the city full of guildhalls, churches and romantic cobblestone streets lined with independent shops and galleries selling antiques, rare books and musical instruments. The lake is the place to be during the summer months. Lakeside beaches with terraces and lawns are a popular place to picnic, play beach volleyball and go for a swim in the crystal-clear water. By night, many of these spots turn into badi-bars, or outdoor clubs.

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