On a hill overlooking Zurich and its lake, which shimmers when kissed by the sun – The Dolder Grand became reality in 1899: a recent award-winning restoration has glorified the historic building and added new modern wings and services
Dolder – a word that has its roots in Swiss-German dialects. It refers to a wooded hill or knoll. A fitting name for Dolder Grand Zurich: the hotel that sits on a hill overlooking the city of Zurich and is surrounded by a large park and wooded areas, now considered among the first in Europe for luxury. Its history dates back to the late 19th century, when a businessman named Urs Albert Gautschi bought a large piece of land on this hill in order to build a large hotel that would attract visitors from all over the world.
Dolder Grand Zurich – the Hotel on a hill overlooking the city of Zurich and its lake
The cable car goes up from the city center and into the middle of the forest. Last stop: Bergstation Dolderbahn. Here is the Dolder Grand Hotel – in Zurich. A structure modeled in nature: the curves and spires of the architecture dialogue with the tall, dense trees. Below, a green valley. Further down, the town, with its lake that shimmers when kissed by the sun. An idyll that became reality in 1899, now expanded with 173 rooms and suites, world-class restaurants, a 4,000-square-meter spa and an art collection with over 100 works, including originals by Takashi Murakami and Salvador Dalí.
The Dolderbahn funicular railway in Zurich
For those who do not choose to arrive by car, or using the transfer provided by the hotel, there is the Dolderbahn funicular railway. A suggested option, to immediately immerse yourself in the mood of this part of Switzerland. The historic funicular that connects the city center with the top of Dolder hill (at an altitude of 1,644 feet) was inaugurated in 1895, designed by Swiss engineer Adolf Guyer-Zeller. It was one of the first electrically operated funicular railways in Switzerland. The original funicular cars were replaced in 1950 and 1973 with more modern models. Until 2013, when the funicular underwent a renovation that included the replacement of the tracks, cars and station buildings: the new cars, designed to be more energy efficient, have larger windows to offer a better view of the surrounding landscape.
Hottingen district, Zurich
The funicular runs through the Hottingen district, home to the University of Zurich and Zurich Zoo but also renowned for its flair – out of the window historic buildings, parks and quiet streets. It’s a journey within a journey: one by one, the eyes review the historic villas along the main avenue, and those in the traverses, half-hidden behind the trees. Opulent neo-baroque façades alternate with symmetrical ones with columns and gables typical of the neoclassical style. The decorations on the Art Nouveau villas then stand out, followed by the minimalist and linear design of modernist houses.
Once at the top – Bergstation Dolderbahn –, you can set off to explore the hiking trails leading to the nearby forests and parks. Or you can go ice-skating at the Dolder Kunsteisbahn – a nearby ice rink. Or you can enter the Dolder Grand Hotel. Once inside, it won’t be easy to leave, sucked into a silent vortex of peace, romantic charm and relaxation. Inside a building, but also always in touch with what is outside.
Dolder Grand Zurich: the history of the foundation
Urs Albert Gautschi already owned several hotels in Switzerland, when in 1899 hired architects Jacques Gros and Auguste Reymond to design the Dolder Grand. The building was completed in 1904 – it had 300 rooms, a ballroom, several restaurants and a wellness center. Gautschi’s success as a hotelier allowed him to pursue other interests, including politics: he was a member of the Swiss National Council from 1914 to 1920 and was known for his support of social policies.
Over the years, the Dolder Grand Zurich hotel underwent several renovations and extensions
In the 1920s, a new wing was added to the building and in the 1960s, the hotel underwent a major renovation that modernized its facilities and services. In the 1990s, the hotel was closed for a complete renovation that lasted several years. The Dolder Grand reopened in 2008, after four years of renovation that cost around 440 million Swiss Francs. Winner of several awards, including the Swiss Prix Expo and the European Hotel Design Award for the Best Renovation/Restoration, the project – overseen by the architectural firm, Foster and Partners, in collaboration with Swiss architects, Itten + Brechbühl – restored the hotel to its former glory, while adding modern amenities such as a state-of-the-art spa, a golf course and several restaurants.
The hotel’s architecture blends the old and the new, with the characteristic turrets and towers of the original building now complemented by two new wings, which added 173 guest rooms and suites, a new spa, a conference center, and several restaurants and bars.
Dolder Grand Zurich: design of the interiors and works of art
The feeling is that of being in a contemporary fairytale when one enters the scenic lobby. Your gaze immediately runs to the grand staircase, punctuated by neoclassical paintings and lit by the central crystal chandelier. The steps are marble and the handrails are wrought iron with intricate detailing.
The Dolder Grand houses two bronze sculptures by British sculptor Henry Moore. One of the sculptures, called Reclining Figure, is located in the hotel garden, while the other, entitled Working Model for Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae, is displayed in the hotel lobby. Paintings by Colombian artist Fernando Botero diffuse energy into the air through vibrant colours, while Salvador Dalí’s bronze sculpture entitled Surrealist Angel transports one into another dimension.
The Dolder Grand also houses several prints by American pop artist Andy Warhol, and the gallery continues with works by Augusto Giacometti, Otto Dix and Jean Tinguely. The hotel’s art collection is constantly evolving and features works by different artists and styles.
Restaurants inside Dolder Grand
The restaurant – a fine dining restaurant at the Dolder Grand, awarded two Michelin stars and 19 Gault Millau points – serves contemporary cuisine with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. The terrace offers a panoramic view of Zurich and the surrounding mountains. The modern brasserie Saltz also offers fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can sample some of Switzerland’s best cheeses and wines.
The Garden Restaurant is the informal open-air option during the summer months, while at the Lobby – the Dolder Grand’s main lounge area – guests can enjoy a variety of hot and cold beverages, light meals and afternoon tea, amidst a lit fireplace and a grand piano. Before or after dinner, The Bar serves a range of classic and contemporary cocktails, as well as a selection of fine wines and spirits.
Sustainability Dolder Grand
The Dolder Grand Zurich is committed to sustainability and has implemented a range of initiatives to minimize its environmental impact. The Dolder Grand sources 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources, such as wind, hydro, and solar power – this helps to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint. The hotel’s restaurants focus on using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, and also avoid the use of plastic and single-use items wherever possible, encouraging guests to do the same.
The amenities offered by the Dolder Grand are eco-friendly – refillable glass water bottles and biodegradable bath products, to reduce the environmental impact of guest stays. The hotel offers a complimentary electric shuttle service for guests to explore the city, reducing the need for private transportation.
Historical figures who have stayed at the Dolder Grand
The halls of the hotel have seen prominent personalities pass through the decades and up to the present day. Winston Churchill visited Dolder Grand in 1946, John F. Kennedy in 1961. Henry Kissinger stayed there several times. He falt in love with the surrounding landscape and the services offered by the hotel which he described as ‘one of the most beautiful places in the world’. In 1975, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi visited the Dolder Grand Zurich during his official state visit to Switzerland. He frequented it on several occasions, often accompanied by his wife, Empress Farah Pahlavi.
During his 1975 visit, the Shah was accompanied by a large entourage of government officials, diplomats and security personnel. And then again Richard Widmark, Heinz Rühmann, Sophia Loren, Curd Jürgens, Roger Moore, Artur Rubinstein and Prince Carl of Sweden. Roger Federer, a regular customer, celebrated her wedding in 2009. Beyoncé stayed at the hotel in 2013 during her world tour.
The Dolder Grand Zurich – the propriety
The Dolder Grand Zurich is currently owned by Dolder Hotel AG, which is a subsidiary of the investment firm, DLG (Dolder Leisure Group). DLG acquired the hotel in 2001 and invested heavily in its renovation and expansion, completed in 2008. The Dolder Grand Zurich is managed by the luxury hotel group, Aman Resorts, under a long-term management agreement.
Matteo Mammoli
