PALACE LUZERN
The late 19th century is often referred to as the golden age of tourism in Switzerland. Foreign travellers were beginning to discover the delights of its many scenic splendours and cities. And Lucerne was one of the destinations enjoying particular popularity ¬– thanks largely to the enterprise of hotel pioneer Franz-Josef Bucher-Durrer. In 1900 he founded a hotel company which included not only the "Europe" in Lucerne, the "Palace" in Lugano and the "Bürgenstock", but also properties outside Switzerland – the "Quirinale" in Rome, the "Semiramis" in Cairo and the "Palace" in Milan.
In 1903 Bucher-Durrer purchased a 3285-square metre plot of land at the end of the National Quay. The purchase price of CHF 880,000 worked out at CHF 270 per square metre – a phenomenal figure at that time. The PALACE LUZERN opened its distinguished doors on 7 May 1906, enjoying a very successful first summer season. Travel and tourism to Lucerne increased strongly during the 1920s and the hotel became a takeover target for foreign speculators.
During World War II, the hotel was used as a military hospital and also as a storage centre for essential provisions. After the war, extensive restoration was carried out at a cost of CHF 1.5 million and the PALACE LUZERN re-opened for business in 1946.
Millions more were invested during the following decades, and in the 1970s the hotel opened all-year-round for the first time. In 1982 the renowned gourmet restaurant "Le Mignon" (re-named "Jasper" in 2003) was transferred from its street-side location to a more attractive viewpoint overlooking the lake. This was followed by restoration of the hotel's impressive art nouveau façade, modernization of congress and banqueting facilities and subsequent renovation of the entire infrastructure.
In the winter season of 1993/1994 both roof storeys were demolished and rebuilt at a cost of some CHF 15 million, adding no fewer than 48 spacious new rooms and suites to the hotel's fine facilities. Over the last 26 years, more than CHF 80 million has been invested in renovation and expansion.
In 1997 the PALACE LUZERN was taken over by the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, the acquisition following many years of close cooperation between the two hotels. Both are members of "The Leading Hotels of the World."
1999 saw the creation of three new seminar rooms, named after the eminent orchestral conductors Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein and Georg Solti (all of whom had performed at the renowned Lucerne Festival). The rooms' interior designs, with the finest fabrics and fittings, creates an overall ambience of elegant exclusivity. In 2000, the hotel lobby and 26 guest rooms in the East Tract received a completely new facelift. During the following year, the "Les Artistes" restaurant was created in beautiful Belle Epoque style based on photographs from the founding year in 1906.
In 2003 further renovation work was carried out on the lobby and three event rooms, reflecting once again the original architectural style. And the same year saw the re-opening of the "Le Mignon" restaurant, renamed as the "Jasper". Young Swiss designer Iria Degen (33) was responsible for the overall architectural concept, which combines the classic with the contemporary, and top quality materials with warm natural colours. The result - an ideal ambience in which to enjoy the culinary creations of the "Jasper" with their savoury southern flair.
The PALACE LUZERN can claim a privileged position as the leading luxury hotel in Lucerne and one of the finest in Switzerland - a success it owes to enduring support from loyal shareholders, the superior skills of management and the commitment of highly qualified staff.
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