One of our all-time favourite Grande Dames is the majestic Dolder Grand. Nestled in the hills overlooking Lake Zurich, the mighty Alps and the city below. Its original Kurhaus dates back to 1899, but today the space has been magnificently reimagined into an old-world meets super-contemporary getaway. There are many awe-inspiring features, but none as impressive as the spa, extending to nearly forty-five thousand square feet of zen-space, popular with locals and international celebrities alike (Leonardo Di Caprio, Queen Latifah and Tina Turner are regulars). Sunday brunch is another institution, although you will have to be prepared to wait – we were disappointed that on our visit, the staff were a little too pressed to cope. However, the hotel made up for it by spoiling us with a contemporary suite, complete with a simply stunning view. As art buffs we were gleefully treated to the hotel’s huge collection of contemporary art – Warhol, Murakami, Herring, Kapoor, Hirst, Miro, Dali and Stallone (yes, Sylvester) just to name a few. The property offers its guests an ‘Arty iPad’, the ultimate guide to this unique modern art gallery.
