Tried & Tested: Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich
The invitation came in at short notice, but when Mandarin Oriental calls LuxuryWise doesn't say no! For me personally, it also means the chance to finally get my first MO fan of hopefully many more. The destination: enchanting Zurich, where the historic Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville has been redesigned under the direction of celebrity designer Tristan Auer, and is now called Mandarin Oriental Savoy. The rooftop terrace in particular has been greatly anticipated, but that's a different (very rainy) story…
As experienced by LuxuryWise's Director of Business Development, Melanie Haass
The Hotel
Mandarin Oriental certainly has some big shoes to fill. The city's oldest grand hotel was opened in 1838 directly opposite the old post office by hotel pioneer and visionary Johannes Baur. It was a smart location for a hotel, since at the time it was a transportation hub full of cabs and carriages. Today it's still right in the heart of the city where anyone with a love for shopping will enjoy all the surrounding high-end stores. At the moment, ladies who like to spend don't even have to leave the building, as it's home to the first Valentino pop-up store until the end of the year. The location really can't be beat. It's in the middle of the lively Bahnhofstrasse on Paradeplatz and therefore in the heart of the business district, making it just a stone's throw away from the historic old town and Lake Zurich.
The hotel itself has 44 rooms and 46 suites comprising two buildings: the main building (pictured) and the cute, small and winding Orsini annex from the 14th century. Keep this one in mind when we get to the room categories! Parisian interior designer Tristan Auer has managed to breathe new life into the property without too much kitsch, gracing it with individually tailored elements and brand names such as Minotti and Poltrona Frau. It's extremely well-executed, and a perfect match for the timeless elegance of Mandarin Oriental!
Other older and unique elements have been preserved under Auer's pen and blend in with the detail-loving eye without overwhelming it, such as the eye-catching Art Deco-style chandelier spanning two floors between the ground floor and the banquet floor. Speaking of banquets, two of the event rooms – including the ballroom – are historical buildings, and their original coats of arms are a reminder of Zurich's guild tradition, which is still celebrated today. Since 1920, the cobblers' guild has used the guild room (pictured) as a high-end "clubhouse."
Good to know: you won't find any guests scurrying about in their bathrobes because there is no spa – the hotel is restricted by its historical status. So far the hotel has offered only in-room massages as an alternative, but this could change soon, as the hotel is currently looking to cooperate with a suitable partner to offer a larger treatment menu.
The Rooms and Suites
I enjoy the generous space of a junior suite for my stay. The wide entrance hall leads to the walk-in dressing area on the left. However, I am somewhat surprised by the relatively small amount of storage and hanging space compared to the size of the room. Not an issue for me alone on a short trip, but a little small for a couple with suits and gowns. Opposite is the large bathroom, over which travel companions won't have to compete. The entrance leads seamlessly into the spacious room area with the bed on one side, a huge rotating smart TV in the middle, and a chaiselongue, two armchairs, and small kitchenette lining the other side.
I really like the warm light. Gentlemen may underestimate this, but good lighting is crucial for good makeup application. The great selection of the finest teas from Sirocco is also nice tough. I hear absolutely nothing from the hallway or upstairs thanks to thick insulation – no neighbor's door slamming shut and no disturbances above me.
What doesn't do it for me? The bathtub. Don't get me wrong, I love hotel bathtubs and this one certainly wasn't cheap, but apparently I'm just too small for this model – I can barely reach the other end with my feet. Perhaps they had couples more in mind? Still.
The categories are pleasantly straightforward – the hotel doesn't overwhelm with several types that differ only in minor details. Four different room options plus ten suites to accommodate the discerning client – it just makes life easier for travel advisors and their day-to-day business. There are superior singles with a city view and superior doubles facing the inner courtyard, deluxe rooms (facing the city or inner courtyard), and deluxe terrace rooms. The suites are a little more convoluted: Junior, Junior Terraces, Zürich, Münsterhof, Corner Suite with Balcony (pictured), Orsini, Mandarin Rooftop, The Baur, Paradeplatz, and Presidential Suite...whew! Let me catch my breath...
The hotel is very well booked and I can't visit every category, but my personal favorite is definitely the Orsini Suite. But that's also a matter of taste, of course. For the readers who know the series "Emily in Paris" – that's how I felt here! Guests will really feel at home in the Orsini annex if they like it cozy like me. Its winding corridors, stairs (but careful, no elevator!), elegant rooms, and low ceilings with remarkable trusses crisscrossing above are charming, to say the least.
Good to Know: The Münsterhof Suite has the most beautiful private workspace in the hotel – a small desk bay with a view of Paradeplatz. The Paradeplatz Suite has the highest terrace in the hotel after the rooftop bar. And the Presidential Suite (pictured) may only offer one bedroom, but it's a complete home away from home on 200 square meters (2,153sq. ft.), including a steam bath and fully equipped kitchen with a wine fridge and all the bells and whistles. A bedroom extension is possible via an interconnecting room. Buyouts are also possible at the The Orsini, as it has its own small entrance that well-to-do families or privacy-seeking stars will surely enjoy, along with its two suites (Orsini and Münsterhof) and four rooms.
To be forthcoming: in the rooms facing Poststrasse, you can hear the construction site here starting at 7am. Like the doors, the windows are very well insulated and you can't hear any of the regular traffic, but when the guys get going with their big machines, no amount of window putty can stop this noise. Remember to stay LuxuryWise and use this insider tip to reserve the right room!
The Culinary
At the Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich, the transitions between spaces are pretty seamless. Guests can casually recover with a welcome drink, relax over an afternoon tea in the lounge, or enjoy the open fireplace with an aperitif at the bar before dinner at the Savoy Brasserie & Bar. The name already gives it away. Whether it's in the elegant and Gatsby-esque dining room (pictured), or the charming outdoor terrace where you can watch the hustle and bustle on Züghusplatz, there's an authentic slice of France awaiting your clients here. But the selection is more varied as one would expect. Ranging from the classics like French onion soup or fresh oysters, or as non-French highlights such as Wagyu burgers and more, there is nothing left to be desired. Breakfast is also served at the Savoy, with a buffet plus service from the extensive hot dish menu.
The hotel's fine dining restaurant of the same name is located in the small Orsini annex. Antonio Guida, who has two Michelin stars for the Seta restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Milan, created its delicacies. Funny enough, his career began right here in Zürich almost 30 years ago with an internship at the former Savoy Hotel. For the new restaurant, he's sent his head chef Dario Moresco from Milan to Zürich.
The team spends hours every day painstakingly hand-rolling just the grissini. It's no wonder they roll their eyes when team members from the PR department steal some as they pass by… ! The signature dish is the famous two-star risotto from Milan. However, the real eye-catcher is the deep-fried ravioli decorated with gold leaf and filled with carbonara cream as a greeting from the kitchen.
The Rooftop Bar
Right now, this is the place to be in Zurich! Unfortunately the weather wasn't great, so I was only able to take a quick, soggy gander, but one thing is clear – guests will enjoy Zurich's nightlife with a fantastic view of the surrounding old town, Lake Zurich, and its surrounding mountain peaks. Capacity is a max 50 guests, so we definitely recommend making a reservation, even for guests of the hotel! So much the better for them to enjoy the warm rays of sunshine and balmy Zurich nights in style.
Back in 1838, the "Belvédère" was one of the first rooftop bars in the world with a dumbwaiter and a loudspeaker – truly high-tech for the time! In honor of its origins, the new bar was named "1838" after the previous Savoy Hotel, which funny enough did not use this venue.
The Experiences
It's not my first time in Zurich, but it's always something completely different when someone local shows you "their city!" Our charming city guide Nicole Berger, organized by the hotel, has the right anecdotes at the ready and shows us a wonderful side of Zurich without overwhelming us with information. I love it and would definitely like to come back again with more time. Maybe to the Sächsilüüte. Say what now? The Sächsilüüte literally translates as "the six o'clock ringing of the bells," but in this case it refers to the historic spring festival of the guilds that culminates in the burning of a snowman figure called the "Böögg," which is loaded with explosives. When the head goes BOOM! it's supposed to drive away winter. Festive! I guess that's one way to give the finger to Jack Frost.
On such a rainy day it seems fitting that the cocktail workshop with bar manager Pierro is next on the program. We are allowed to choose the drinks we want to mix ourselves. I choose my current favorite, the Negroni. It's available here in a delicious adaptation with a hint of coconut. Yes please! But it will be difficult to recreate at home, because I would have to prepare the coconut essence, freeze it, pour it off, and then degrease it...ah well. Pierro gives us tips and tricks, and we shake classics like Espresso Martinis and of course, Cosmopolitans. It'd just be silly to have all this wonderful merriment go to waste. What's a LuxuryWise lady supposed to do if not for you, dear readers? We gotta know!
The Service
Succinctly put: understated luxury meets perfect service. And it starts at the airport, as I'm picked up in the fattest S-Class Mercedes I've ever been in. Upon arrival at the hotel, the doorman comes rushing up with an umbrella, even though it's only drizzling and the limousine is parked under the canopy. The entrance hall and the adjoining lounge are quite busy – it's obvious that the hotel is already a popular place in Zurich.
It's the unobtrusive little things that make the service so pleasant. In the evening, a glass and a bottle of water are placed by my bed, and a dust cloth for my iPad is placed next to it. The minibar is refilled several times a day. At every table I sit at I'm given a little stool for my handbag. The concierge team is full of sugar, and have tips at the ready for any occasion according to taste or time of day, and ranging from flea markets to dinner reservations. In general, the entire staff is highly professional and soooo nice, and they are also very relaxed and fair with each other! My heartfelt moment: Coming back to the hotel dripping wet after the Zurich tour. The umbrella is gently taken from my hand with the words, "Welcome back, Ms. Haass."
Let's come full circle: I finally have my first MO fan! Hopefully it's just the beginning of a growing collection. Of course it's not a precious original that adorns the hotel's entrance, but the gift version for dear guests. Every hotel in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has its own individual fan that reflects the hotel's origins and surroundings. In the case of the MO Savoy in Zürich, these are shades of blue and green, inspired by Lake Zurich, its surrounding mountains, and the Swiss sky. The artwork was painted and sewn by hand from photographic filters in France over a period of 50 hours.
In a Nutshell
Anyone in the sales department would know best: Mandarin Oriental's rates for the small room categories (because of the building's historical status) are quite high. However, the location makes the property an almost unbeatable city hotel. The gastronomy attracts both guests and locals alike, making the hotel a great location for business meetings. The service is of the highest standard, and will surely touch your clients' hearts. The rooms and suites at the Orsini divide (and conquer?) the source markets: if you have clients from the Middle East they're better off in the main building with its high ceilings and large halls. Europeans and Americans will love the Orsini because it's more "Parisian."
Trade Contact: Velimir Burazor, Director of Sales