There was no other hotel we could think of for our special celebration than our favourite hotel: Park Hotel Vitznau. A beautiful five-star hotel situated at the shores of the lake Luzern in Vitznau.
PARK HOTEL VITZNAU
We felt immediately at home after the very warm welcome by the fantastic staff. The weather was not expected to be great at this time of year, but we had no worries because inside it is cozy and warm. There are also plenty of things to keep you busy so you don’t have to feel bored at all.
Time for Champgne
Before we were shown to our room we were welcomed with a glass of Champagne in the beautiful bar. Which was a very nice and thoughtful surprise.
Our suite
After the Champagne, we were accompanied to our suite. We have got an upgrade to an enormous spacious and beautiful looking suite. Wow! What a spectacular suite and view. We had the Coburg Bastei Garden suite 65m square to our disposal. Including a living room, a bedroom, a huge bathroom, a bubble bath, and 2 toilets.
The view
A view to die for over the beautiful lake of Luzern and terrace of Park Hotel Vitznau.
THE SPA
What a way to start our celebration. After we had freshened up we went to the beautiful spa. The hotel has spectacular pools, a variety of saunas, bubble baths, Kneipp foot baths, and an ice grotto. It was time to relax!
After a very relaxing time in the spa, we had some down time before our dinner at restaurant Focus. After our downtime, we were preparing and dressing for dinner. But not before we had a drink in the beautiful Verlinde bar of Park Hotel Vitznau. ( I already made a post earlier about this beautiful bar).
DINNER TIME
Then it was finally time for our dinner at Focus. At the helm is talented chef Patrick Mahler awarded with a Michelin star and 16 Gault Millau points. He took over from Nenad Mlinarevic in March 2018. (update: 2 Michelin stars and 17 Gault Millau points, rewarded in 2019).
RESTAURANT FOCUS
We are excited for dinner in Focus because we had the pleasure of tasting the outstanding food of Patrick Mahler a couple of times before in restaurant Prisma.
Starchef Patrick Mahler for Gault Millau
DINNER TIME
Finally, it was time for our dinner. We had chosen the 6-course menu with the associated wine recommendation.
THE MENU
GREETINGS FROM THE KITCHEN
We started with some hors d’oeuvres
A SIX COURSE DINNER AND MORE….
with extra surprises coming from the kitchen
CHAR
cured | ceviche | pumpkin
PIKE PERCH
mushrooms| radish | herbs velouté
BREAST OF CALF
cabbage | soubise | unami fond
The Kitchen
In between our courses we were allowed to get a peek in the kitchen. There was a very relaxed but concentrated atmosphere.
‘DINNER IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS IN THE KITCHEN’. -Kris Carr-
THE REST OF OUR 6-COURSE MENU
THE WINE
BEEF FILET GRAND CRU
bitter salad | paprika | onion
CHEESE ‘BERGFICHTE’
quince| herbs | almond
DESSERT GRANNY SMITH APPLE
cucumber| passionfruit| peanut
FRIANDISES….
What a tremendous dinner. It was an explosion of flavours melting in your mouth. It was a real feast. The wines were excellent and of course perfectly fitted to the menu. The chef did again an amazing job.
Always a pleasure! Great thanks to the chef and his team!
‘FOOD IS NOT JUST EATING ENERGY. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE’.
– GUY FIERI –
THE NEXT MORNING….
After a good night’s sleep, we were waking up with a beautiful view over the lake and it was time to get some breakfast. There was an à la carte menu with my favourites: Eggs Benedict and smoked salmon. Furthermore a variety of bread and sweets, yogurt and fruits.
A final thank you to the excellent staff for this unforgettable celebration. Special thanks to Mr. Dürler, Mrs. Stämpfli, and Mr. Stichter and last but not least Starchef de cuisine Mr. Patrick Mahler and his team!