Luxury Travel Advisor - October 2008 - (Page 32)

THE SPARKILING POOL offers supreme relaxation, a fine complement to the Wellness area. LAST BASTIONS OF LUXURY —SWISSAIR In light of the recently defunct business-class-only carriers EOS, MaxJet and SilverJet, Swissair remains one of the only airlines to offer business-class-only service to Europe. They depart on the East Coast out of Newark Airport and, as of this spring, feature full flat-bed seats, as well as extensive wine lists and menus from well-known chefs such as Park Hotel Weggis’ Rischmeyer. (When we flew, his specially highlighted dishes were piquant and highly flavored.) Clients who want to up the pleasure ante can opt for First-Class where dishes include Balik smoked salmon served on real porcelain, amenity kits from Bally and personal care items such as facial caviar from La Prairie. Twain suite under the wooden eaves of the hotel with equally panoramic lakeside views and a white wooden cupola balcony.) One of the nicest advantages of the Adara suites is the ability to watch Lake Lucerne transform the view into an ever-changing, light-and-color show. Luckily, the designers have placed a big circular sofa right in front of the wall of windows expressly for that purpose—the 215-square-foot balconies and terraces help, too. When guests manage to tear themselves away from the view, the first place to stop off is Weggis’ spa center, which boasts an Olympic-sized heated outdoor pool. Even in the coolest weather (the hotel is open year-round) a misty haze of heat haloes the water, where swimmers have the added benefit of more views of the Lake from beyond the pool’s infinity edge. Spa “cottages” are personal cabanas equipped with circular dipping pools, Jacuzzis, hot and dry saunas and waterbeds. Clients book for hour-long blocks of time. Soft-spoken, solicitous attendants prepare the room, bringing hot herbal tea, iced water, personalized music and bath salts for the still pools and the Jacuzzi. A sky light at the top of the cottage lets the mountain sunlight filter into the room, producing a calming warmth. The Swedish wood sauna bakes out any lingering tensions. Note: The spa is trying out a new Tibetan treatment staff and menu of Tibetan-inspired treatments. It’s still having growing pains (we got an uninspired oil massage that was rushed and perfunctory) so advise your hardcore spa-centric clients to book a spa cottage instead. After an hour or two in the spa cottage, clients will be ready for gourmet dining at Park Hotel Weggis’ Michelin-starred Annex Restaurant. Chef Renee Rischmeyer’s finely tuned continental cuisine pairs well with the hotel’s extensive, award-winning wine cellar, the Vinothek. Tip: Your oenophilic clients can request special vintages in advance from the 2,600-bottle cellar or special wines can by ordered in advance through head concierge, Aragon Christen (aragon.christen@phw. ch; 011-41-392-0505). After all that indulgence, what’s left but to climb Mount Rigi, which presides over Weggis like a snow-capped goddess. Clients can do it like Mark Twain (by foot) or like Queen Victoria (by artificial means). Today, however, ultimate luxury doesn’t extend to footmen shouldering the burden. Concierge Christen can arrange for small groups to go up the mountain in vintage cable cars, featuring velvet seats and champagne service. Now, as in Victoria’s day, status does have its privileges. 32 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | October 2008

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Luxury Travel Advisor - October 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Glasgow Greece & Cyprus Private Islands Park Hotel Weggis Mexico Private Yachts MS Europa Coastline Travel Awards of Excellence The Pulse Just Back Luxury Travel Expo Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - October 2008

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