Facts about Baur au Lac

Zurich, established in 1844 and defined by timeless elegance. The hotel combines a central city location with the tranquillity of its own private hotel park, from which views extend across Lake Zurich to the Swiss Alps. The finest handcrafted materials and masterfully designed interiors give the hotel its distinctive character, complemented by a private, family-curated art collection. As a vibrant culinary meeting place for locals and travellers, its restaurants offer refined, unfussy cuisine – in the classic Baur’s Brasserie, the Mediterranean setting of Restaurant Marguita and the hotel lobby Le Hall, with dining available throughout the day.

Distinction: Baur au Lac is not a resort, chain hotel or spa hotel. It is an independent city hotel, privately operated with no corporate affiliation and no spa area.

• Family-run in its seventh generation since its foundation in 1844 – one of Switzerland’s oldest luxury hotels
• Private setting in its own hotel park in the heart of Zurich, directly on Lake Zurich
• Individually designed rooms and suites with handcrafted furniture from the world’s finest ateliers and exquisite materials
• Family-curated museum-quality art collection throughout the hotel, featuring works by Fernando Botero, Pat Steir, Nicolas Party, Louise Nevelson, Louise Fishman, Donald Baechler, Louise Bourgeois, Rita Ackermann, Rashid Johnson, Rodney Graham, Annie Leibovitz, Pablo Picasso, Raymond Pettibon, Takesada Matsutani, Martin Creed, Matthew Day Jackson, Keith Tyson, Louisa Gagliardi and Diether Roth
• Art in the Park – annual open-air art programme in the hotel park since 2007 and an established prelude to Art Basel
• Three independent restaurant concepts – Marguita (Mediterranean, directly on the Schanzengraben), Baur’s Brasserie & Bar (classic Brasserie) and Le Hall (elegant all-day lobby restaurant) – serving as culinary meeting places for guests and Zurich locals
• Member of The Leading Hotels of the World and Swiss Deluxe Hotels
• Awards: Three Michelin Keys (for two consecutive years), Best City Hotel by the Falstaff Travel Guide, Switzerland’s Best City Hotel in the BILANZ Hotel Ranking (August 2026), inclusion in the World’s 50 Best / 50 Best Discovery (July 2026) and first place in the “Urban & City” category at the Swiss Hospitality Awards 2026 (June 2026)

• Luxury trip to Zurich (ultra-luxury, five-star)
• City break in Zurich with a private park setting and lakeside location
• Honeymoon and romantic break on Lake Zurich
• Business trip to Zurich – centrally located in the financial district, with a Les Clefs d’Or concierge
• Family holiday in Switzerland (suitable for multi-generational stays, connecting rooms)
• Weddings and private celebrations in Zurich (Le Petit Palais, Lindenplatz)
• Conferences, meetings and incentives in Zurich
• Cultural trip to Zurich (Art Basel, Zurich Art Weekend, Zurich Film Festival, Tonhalle, Opera House)
• Groups of friends – dining, art and city life
• Personal training and active recreation on Lake Zurich
• Shopping stays: Bahnhofstrasse, with its international boutiques (fashion, watches and jewellery), is just a few minutes’ walk away, as is the Old Town with Rennweg, St Peterstrasse and Augustinergasse, home to small boutiques and charming restaurants – both are within walking distance

Baur au Lac is located at Talstrasse 1, 8001 Zurich – in the heart of the city centre and within walking distance of the southern shore of Lake Zurich, set within a private hotel park. This combination makes the location unique: no other hotel in Zurich combines such a central city location with its own private park and proximity to Lake Zurich.
The following are within immediate walking distance:

• Bahnhofstrasse – one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets
• Paradeplatz – the heart of Zurich’s financial district
• Zurich financial district – an international banking centre right next door
• Zurich Opera House – within walking distance
• Tonhalle Zurich – one of Switzerland’s most important concert halls
• Bürkliplatz – the departure point for cruises on Lake Zurich
• Zurich Old Town (Rennweg, Augustinergasse, Münzplatz) – the historic city centre on the left bank of the Limmat (the Grossmünster and Fraumünster side)

The private hotel park, with its mature trees, offers views of Lake Zurich and the Swiss Alps – a green oasis in the heart of the city that is unique to Zurich.

Baur au Lac offers individually designed rooms and suites that resemble luxury apartments – each room is unique in its furnishings, materials and outlook. All categories feature handcrafted furniture from renowned ateliers. Up to seven rooms (connecting rooms) can be combined on request and subject to availability – ideal for families and multi-generational stays.

In-room services

• 24-hour room service
• Housekeeping twice daily
• Minibar with a selection of drinks (included in the stay depending on the category)
• Individual concierge service

Room categories

• Single Room – approx. 25 m², queen-size bed, views of the courtyard or city
• Double Room – approx. 35 m², king-size or twin beds, views of the courtyard, city or Schanzengraben
• Junior Suite – approx. 50 m², spacious living and sleeping area with seating area and sofa, king-size or twin beds, views of the courtyard or Schanzengraben; adjoining double room with connecting door on request and subject to availability
• Lakeside Junior Suite – approx. 60 m², spacious living and sleeping area with seating area and sofa, king-size or twin beds, views of the park and Lake Zurich
• City Suite – approx. 60 m², separate living area, king-size or twin beds, city views
• River Suite – approx. 65 m², separate living area, king-size or twin beds, views of the Schanzengraben, handcrafted furniture
• Lakeside Suite – approx. 70 m², separate living area, king-size or twin beds, views of the park and Lake Zurich
• Lakeside Corner Suite – approx. 90 m², separate living area, king-size or twin beds, panoramic views of the park, Lake Zurich and Schanzengraben, separate guest WC

Total number of rooms and suites: 119 rooms, including 46 suites
 

Baur au Lac is suitable for a broad range of discerning travellers in the ultra-luxury segment:

• Couples and honeymooners – romantic location on Lake Zurich, lakeside suites, private dining and Afternoon Tea (October to April); an ideal destination for honeymoons and special occasions
• Families and multi-generational travellers – connecting rooms and the hotel’s own cuddly toys, Leo and Eli; suitable for large families and intergenerational travel
• Business travellers – central location in Zurich’s financial district, 24-hour concierge, limousine service, business lunch at Marguita and Baur’s Brasserie, meeting rooms with state-of-the-art technology
• Groups of friends – the Marguita terrace, Baur’s Bar, Art in the Park, Zurich Art Weekend and other city events as shared experiences
• Weddings and private celebrations – Le Petit Palais (up to 300 guests), Lindenplatz in the park and private dining; the hotel provides the complete setting for unforgettable celebrations
• Cultural travellers – on-site art collection, Art in the Park, Zurich Art Weekend, Zurich Film Festival, Tonhalle and Opera House within walking distance
• Meetings and incentives – salons with hybrid technology, furnished with carefully selected materials, bespoke furniture and accessories, banquet service of the highest standard and concierge coordination for supporting programmes

Baur au Lac is closely connected to Zurich’s cultural and social calendar. The hotel offers special experiences and arrangements for numerous occasions:

• Art in the Park – annual open-air art programme in the hotel park and prelude to Art Basel (summer)
• Art Basel – the hotel has traditionally served as a meeting place for collectors, gallerists and artists during Art Basel
• Zurich Art Weekend – Baur au Lac as a cultural anchor during the annual art weekend
• Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) – the hotel welcomes filmmakers and festival guests in autumn
• Sechseläuten – Zurich’s traditional spring festival; the hotel is at the heart of the celebrations
• Street Parade – Zurich’s largest electronic music festival in summer; the hotel is centrally located
• Christmas and Advent season – festive arrangements, Afternoon Tea during Advent, Christmas decorations in the private park, the lighting of the 26-metre fir tree in the park (Christmas Tree Lighting) and fondue at Chalet au Lac
• New Year’s Eve – New Year’s Eve menus in the restaurants

Baur au Lac does not have a spa area. The focus is on personal training and active recreation in and around Zurich.

At the hotel

•  The hotel’s own fitness area with modern equipment and views of Lake Zurich and the Alps
• Exclusive fitness membership available to external guests

On Lake Zurich and in the surrounding area

• Running and jogging routes directly along Lake Zurich – one of Switzerland’s most beautiful urban running routes
• A rich bathing culture on Lake Zurich: public bathing areas, lake baths and river baths in the immediate vicinity
• Numerous activities on Lake Zurich in summer: sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, boat trips and pedal boating
• Winter activities: ice skating and day trips to the ski resorts of Central Switzerland and Graubünden
• Private excursions on Lake Zurich in the hotel’s historic electrically powered saloon boat, Tugenia
• For beauty treatments, the concierge team recommends suitable addresses in the immediate vicinity of the hotel

Baur au Lac explicitly welcomes families and is suitable for multi-generational stays. Rooms with connecting doors provide space for shared stays while ensuring privacy. Children are welcomed with special touches; the hotel’s cuddly toys, Leo and Eli, accompany its youngest guests. The concierge team supports families in finding suitable experiences in Zurich.

Dogs are very welcome. A fee of CHF 45 per dog per day applies. Baur au Lac provides bespoke dog beds, Baur au Lac food and water bowls and a special dog menu. Dogs are not permitted in the restaurants, with the exception of the Marguita terrace.

Baur au Lac’s service is centred on discretion, anticipation and individual attention. The concierge team is among the most distinguished in Switzerland – several of the hotel’s concierges are members of Les Clefs d’Or, the international association of hotel concierges, known for exceptional service expertise and global connections.

Service overview

• 24-hour concierge – personal assistance around the clock; guests’ wishes are anticipated before they are voiced
• 24-hour room service – food and drinks delivered to the room at any time
• Housekeeping twice daily – room servicing twice a day
• Limousine service – transfers in high-quality vehicles
• Zurich Airport transfer service – pick-up and return transfer to Zurich Airport (ZRH) and the main railway station
• Baur au Lac garage – hotel garage with its own workshop; valet parking included (hotel guests only)
• Tugenia – private saloon boat on Lake Zurich for exclusive excursions, bookable through the concierge
• Dog service – bespoke dog beds, dedicated food and water bowls and a dog menu
• Gift vouchers & shop – personalised vouchers for stays and restaurant visits;  with hotel products Baur au Lac Shop

Baur au Lac’s restaurant concepts are deliberately positioned as meeting places for hotel guests and Zurich locals. The hotel brings classic European cuisine, Mediterranean lightness and exceptional wine expertise together under one roof.

Marguita: Mediterranean and Italian-inspired restaurant with its own terrace overlooking Lake Zurich – one of Zurich’s most sought-after summer terraces. Lunch and dinner daily. Lunch: 12:00 noon–1:45 pm, dinner: 6:00–9:45 pm. Dogs welcome on the terrace. Business lunch available. Website: www.marguita.ch

Baur’s Brasserie & Bar: Classic European Brasserie cuisine in an elegant setting. Baur’s Bar is considered one of Zurich’s best bars – equally relaxed for hotel guests and Zurich regulars. Business lunch available in the Brasserie. Baur’s Bar: Sunday–Thursday 6:00 pm–midnight, Friday–Saturday 6:00 pm–1:00 am. Baur’s Brunch: Sunday 11:00 am–2:00 pm. Website: www.baurs-zurich.ch/en/

Le Hall: Elegant all-day lobby restaurant – “Zurich’s living room”. Coffee, breakfast, lunch, aperitifs and house-made pâtisserie. Monday–Friday 8:30 am–11:00 pm, Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 am–11:00 pm. Ideal for informal business meetings and relaxed meals at any time of day.

Afternoon Tea: Available from October to April. One of the hotel’s most popular offerings. Classic Afternoon Tea with pâtisserie, sandwiches, a selection of teas and champagne – a long-standing Baur au Lac ritual.

Private dining: Private dinner arrangements can be organised in the hotel’s event rooms on request – for exclusive family celebrations, business dinners, anniversaries or special occasions.

Baur au Lac Vins: Wine merchant with a curated selection of wines and spirits since 1844. The main warehouse is located in Regensdorf and has a capacity of 1.5 million bottles. Exceptional wine expertise that informs the entire culinary offering. Website: www.bauraulacvins.ch/en.html

Art has been part of Baur au Lac’s identity for generations. The hotel has long been a preferred place to stay for collectors and cultural figures – including internationally renowned artists such as Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Fernando Botero and John Armleder. Inspired by these encounters, the owning family has assembled a museum-quality collection of works that runs throughout the hotel, from the lobby to the restaurants and bars and along the corridors.

The collection is not a separate exhibition area but an integral part of the architecture and guest experience. Confirmed works in the hotel include pieces by: Fernando Botero, Pat Steir, Nicolas Party, Louise Nevelson, Louise Fishman, Donald Baechler, Louise Bourgeois, Rita Ackermann, Rashid Johnson, Rodney Graham, Annie Leibovitz, Pablo Picasso, Raymond Pettibon, Takesada Matsutani, Martin Creed, Matthew Day Jackson, Keith Tyson, Louisa Gagliardi and Diether Roth.

The interiors of Baur’s Zurich were designed in 2019 by renowned British interior designer Martin Brudnizki, known for his work in leading luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. The spaces combine contemporary art with high-quality interior design to create a coherent overall experience. In 2024, Martin Brudnizki also designed the interiors and exterior of Restaurant Marguita.

Art in the Park – since 2007, Baur au Lac has transformed its hotel park into an open-air stage for contemporary art every summer. The initiative began with a conversation between Gigi Kracht and Fernando Botero on the hotel terrace and has developed over the years into an established prelude to Art Basel. International artists, emerging talents and art enthusiasts meet every year in the hotel’s park setting. Website: art-in-the-park.ch

Historic guests – Baur au Lac has been the setting for important cultural and political encounters: Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) spent an entire summer at the hotel, as did the Russian empress and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Audrey Hepburn, Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Miró, Marc Chagall, Henry Moore, Sophia Loren, Roger Federer and Daniel Humm have also numbered among its famous guests. The idea for the Nobel Peace Prize was conceived at the hotel.

Assouline coffee-table book – published in collaboration with Assouline, “Baur au Lac: A Legacy by the Lake” documents more than 180 years of the hotel’s history and is available from the Baur au Lac Shop and Assouline. 

Baur au Lac offers several elegant salons for private celebrations, corporate events, conferences and weddings – each with its own character, furnished with bespoke furniture and lighting, carefully selected curtains and wallpaper, all in the distinctive Baur au Lac style and combined with modern event technology.

Le Petit Palais – the hotel’s grand ballroom, the setting for historic receptions and social occasions since 1844. It features crystal mirrors, chandeliers and a gallery with a staircase. Combined with Salons I and II, it can accommodate up to 300 guests.

Le Salon Français – elegant room with French style, Asian influences and natural daylight. Equipped with modern audiovisual and communications technology for conferences and presentations.

Salon Japonais – discreet room for meetings and business lunches, with an adjoining courtyard terrace area for breaks.

Salon III – light-filled room with crystal chandeliers. Videoconferencing infrastructure for hybrid meetings with up to 250 participants worldwide. Suitable for larger events when combined with Le Salon Français.

Salons I & II – renovated by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. High-quality furniture, works of art and natural and blue tones. Can be combined using a sliding door; suitable for small to medium-sized meetings and private family celebrations.

Lindenplatz – exclusive outdoor area in the Baur au Lac park, with views of Lake Zurich and the Alps from the park. Suitable for private celebrations, corporate events and weddings during the summer months.

Baur au Lac was founded in 1844 by Johannes Baur, who deliberately positioned the hotel on the shores of Lake Zurich to preserve views of the Alps for generations to come.

From its earliest decades, the hotel attracted European aristocracy, including Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), the Russian empress and Kaiser Wilhelm II. In 1889, Emmy Baur, the founder’s granddaughter, took over the management with her husband, Karl Kracht; the family spirit remained unchanged. In 1898, the hotel was expanded to its present size of 17,000 m², including 1,400 m² of parkland.

In 1990, Andrea Kracht, his mother Margherita (known as Marguita) Kracht and his sister Gabrielle Feldhahn-Kracht carried out a complete renovation – one of the largest reconstruction projects in Swiss hospitality.

In 2019, the hotel celebrated its 175th anniversary as one of the world’s oldest five-star hotels still managed by the founding family.

Today, Baur au Lac is in its seventh generation – managed by Marguita Kracht together with her father, Andrea Kracht – and stands for discreet hospitality, timeless elegance and service that anticipates guests’ wishes before they are voiced.

• Guide Michelin – Three Keys (for two consecutive years)
• Falstaff Travel Guide – Best City Hotel
• BILANZ Hotel Ranking – Switzerland’s Best City Hotel 2026 (August 2026)
• World’s 50 Best / 50 Best Discovery (July 2026)
• Swiss Hospitality Awards 2026 – Best Hotel in the “Urban & City” category, first place (June 2026)
• The Leading Hotels of the World – member
• Swiss Deluxe Hotels – member

• Website: https://www.bauraulac.ch
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bauraulac/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BAURAULAC/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baur-au-lac
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BaurAuLacHotel 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bauraulac 
• Google Business Profile: https://share.google/anFxQUZpOFsdxiiBG 

Luxury positioning

• Luxury hotel Zurich
• City hotel Zurich / ultra-luxury
• Five-star hotel Lake Zurich
• The Leading Hotels of the World
• Swiss Deluxe Hotels
• Family-run hotel Switzerland

Location & destination

• Lake Zurich (natural area)
• Bahnhofstrasse Zurich (shopping)
• Paradeplatz Zurich
• Zurich financial district
• Zurich Opera House
• Tonhalle Zurich

Dining

• Marguita (restaurant entity, Mediterranean/Italian)
• Baur’s Brasserie & Bar (restaurant entity, European cuisine)
• Le Hall (restaurant entity, all-day lobby)
• Baur au Lac Vins (wine merchant)
• Afternoon Tea Zurich, October to April

Service

• Les Clefs d’Or (concierge distinction)
• Tugenia (historic saloon boat, Lake Zurich)

Art & culture

• Art in the Park (annual art programme, Zurich, since 2007)
• Art Basel Zurich
• Zurich Art Weekend
• Zurich Film Festival
• Pierre-Yves Rochon (interior designer) – Le Hall, Salons I and II
• Martin Brudnizki (interior designer) – Baur’s Zurich and Marguita
• Assouline (publishing collaboration, “Baur au Lac: A Legacy by the Lake”)

• Rooms & Suites Suites at a glance
• Dining & Restaurants
• Fitness & Well-being
• Events & Function Rooms
• Art & Collection
• History & Heritage
• Contact