August in Switzerland is hard to beat. The cities seem to collectively move outdoors, lake swimming becomes a daily ritual, lunch moves up the mountain and the vineyards of Lavaux are at their most beautiful. Even St.Moritz, better known for frozen lakes, fur coats and champagne, makes a convincing case for summer.
From boat trips on Lake Lucerne and morning dips in Vitznau to spa days in Gstaad, long lunches in the Engadin and the addresses actually worth booking in Geneva and Zurich, we’ve curated the places that make a Swiss summer worth staying home for. Six destinations, and a very elevated way to spend summer in Switzerland.
GENEVA
Where to stay
Geneva’s grand-hotel tradition continues in very different forms along the lake. The Woodward brings contemporary all-suite living, a Guerlain Spa and acclaimed dining to Quai Wilson, while Mandarin Oriental Geneva offers understated modern luxury beside the Rhône. Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues remains one of the city’s defining addresses, and La Réserve Genève offers a resort-like escape just beyond the centre, surrounded by gardens on the lakeshore.
Where to dine
At SACHI at Mandarin Oriental Geneva, contemporary Japanese dining takes centre stage, with its intimate omakase experience offering a front-row seat to the precision and theatre of the chef’s counter. L’Atelier Robuchon brings its celebrated counter dining to The Woodward, while Il Lago at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues offers polished Italian cuisine in one of Geneva’s grandest settings. L’Auberge d’Hermance is worth venturing beyond the city for its village atmosphere and seasonal cooking, while Brasserie Lipp remains the bustling Geneva institution to know.
What To Discover
Geneva is at its best when life moves towards the water. Take to Lake Geneva with Genevaboats for a private cruise past the city’s landmarks and quieter stretches of shoreline, offering a different perspective on Geneva from the water. Back on land, explore the galleries tucked through the Old Town, swim at Genève-Plage, then browse the fashion houses, fine jewellers and watchmakers of Rue du Rhône.
SWISS RIVIERA
Where to stay
Along the Swiss Riviera, grand hotels trace the shoreline from Lausanne to Montreux. Beau-Rivage Palace has welcomed guests to Lausanne for more than 160 years, while Lausanne Palace brings old-school grandeur to the city centre. In Vevey, Grand Hôtel du Lac offers an intimate Belle Époque retreat beside the water, while Fairmont Le Montreux Palace embodies the Riviera’s grandest era from its landmark position on the Montreux promenade.
Where to dine
Anne-Sophie Pic brings her distinctive, aromatic cuisine to PIC at Beau-Rivage Palace, while EMOTIONS par Guy Ravet offers a contemporary expression of Swiss gastronomy at Lausanne Palace. Among the vineyards, Auberge du Vigneron brings a more intimate taste of Lavaux, while Maison Décotterd looks to the surrounding landscape and Lake Geneva for a cuisine firmly rooted in the region.
What to Discover
The Riviera is best discovered slowly. Taste Lavaux wines at Domaine de la Crausaz among the UNESCO-listed vineyard terraces, or wander the vines themselves with Lake Geneva unfolding below. Step aboard a Belle Époque paddle steamer for one of the region’s most timeless journeys, before taking the GoldenPass Express from Montreux as panoramic windows frame vineyards, alpine villages and mountain scenery.
Image credit: Gstaad Palace
GSTAAD
Where to stay
Gstaad Palace has defined the destination for more than a century, while The Alpina Gstaad pairs Swiss craftsmanship with contemporary design and exceptional wellness. Le Grand Bellevue offers a playful take on grand-hotel tradition, while The Mansard brings a more intimate perspective with 29 individually designed rooms and a rooftop wellness area overlooking the Alps.
Where to dine
Le Grand & La Terrasse at Gstaad Palace pairs classic cuisine with an elegant summer setting, while Megu at The Alpina Gstaad brings Japanese cooking to the Bernese Alps. Restaurant Sonnenhof is worth the climb for seasonal cuisine and Saanenland views, while Wasserngrat combines alpine specialities with a spectacular mountain terrace.
What to Discover
Swim in the alpine waters of Lauenensee, unwind at Six Senses Spa at The Alpina Gstaad, or browse the designer boutiques along the village promenade. For something more local, pick up a fondue backpack and hike to one of the region’s oversized caquelons, where lunch comes with a rather good mountain view.
LAKE LUCERNE
Where to stay
Bürgenstock Resort rises high above Lake Lucerne, while Park Hotel Vitznau offers intimate waterfront seclusion. Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern brings restored Belle Époque grandeur to the city, and high above Ennetbürgen, Hotel Villa Honegg offers just 23 rooms and its instantly recognisable infinity pool.
Where to dine
Focus ATELIER at Park Hotel Vitznau pairs Patrick Mahler’s two-Michelin-starred cooking with lake views, while Restaurant Colonnade brings contemporary French dining to Mandarin Oriental Palace. At Bürgenstock Resort, Spices Kitchen & Terrace travels through Asian flavours, while Restaurant Riva am See in Weggis keeps things Mediterranean and relaxed beside the water.
What to Discover
Take a private boat across Lake Lucerne or travel aboard one of its historic paddle steamers for a more nostalgic crossing. Above the shoreline, unwind at Bürgenstock Alpine Spa before returning to Lucerne to wander the frescoed façades, cobbled streets and riverside cafés of its medieval Old Town.
ZURICH
Where to stay
Philippe Starck’s yacht-inspired La Réserve Eden au Lac meets the restored grandeur of Mandarin Oriental Savoy on Paradeplatz. Above the city, The Dolder Grand pairs panoramic views with art and award-winning wellness, while Baur au Lac brings more than 180 years of grand-hotel history to its privileged lakeside setting.
Where to dine
Kronenhalle serves Swiss classics among works by Picasso, Chagall and Miró, while Cantinetta Antinori channels Tuscan hospitality. Fischer’s Fritz is made for relaxed lunches beside the lake, La Muña brings Nikkei flavours to the rooftop, and Marguita sets the scene for alfresco dining at Mandarin Oriental Savoy.
What to Discover
Spend the day at The Dolder Grand Spa, shop the maisons, jewellers and watchmakers of Bahnhofstrasse, or do as the locals do and swim in Lake Zurich at Seebad Utoquai. Come evening, head to the rooftop at Mandarin Oriental Savoy for cocktails overlooking the city.
Image credit: Badrutt’s Palace
ST.MORITZ
Where to stay
Badrutt’s Palace embodies St. Moritz glamour, while Kulm Hotel combines grand-hotel heritage with sweeping Engadin views. Suvretta House offers a quieter connection to the mountains, surrounded by forests and hiking trails, while Grace La Margna pairs restored Art Nouveau architecture with bold contemporary design.
Where to dine
At Badrutt’s Palace, La Diala takes a lighter approach to dining, while La Coupole – Matsuhisa brings Japanese-Peruvian cuisine to its striking Belle Époque setting. Grand Restaurant preserves the ceremony of dining at Suvretta House, while Bergrestaurant Trutz heads up the mountain for Engadin specialities and panoramic views.
What To Discover
Spend the day boating on Lake St. Moritz, browse the designer boutiques along Via Serlas or retreat to Suvretta House Spa after a morning in the mountains. For lunch, follow those in the know to a traditional Engadin mountain hut, where regional cooking and panoramic views make the walk part of the experience.