Nestled in the heart of Vienna, Bellevue Palace stands as a testament to Austrian history and architectural splendor. This magnificent palace, once a summer residence for the Habsburg monarchy, now serves as the official residence and workplace of the Austrian Federal President. With its stunning gardens, opulent interiors, and rich cultural heritage, visit Bellevue Palace and get a glimpse into the grandeur of the past.
Presiding over a steep hillside that tumbles toward the swift Aare River, Bellevue Palace has been a Bern mainstay since 1913. It’s also next door to the seat of Swiss government, meaning its plush Bellevue Bar often buzzes with after-hours dealmaking. On a recent visit to Switzerland’s capital, my ambitions were more modest than those of the ministers and representatives who bustled between the hotel’s bar and belle epoque conference rooms: I wanted to rest, and I wanted quality time in the city. With Bern’s rambling, UNESCO-protected Old Town just outside the hotel’s front door and an expansive suite to return to each evening, I had no trouble living out my Swiss dreams. Here are five things I loved about my stay.
The Aare River.
Suite Dreams
An ongoing refresh means the 126 guest rooms have varying designs, but I lucked out in my newly remodeled corner suite, which overlooked the river and the Alps. Binoculars and comfortable window seating enable people- or bird-watching, and a walk-in closet, one of the largest I’ve seen in a hotel, accommodated both of my bags with ease, soothing my overpacker guilt.
A Breath of Fresh Air
Bellevue Palace prioritizes sustainability by limiting air-conditioning use, sourcing local (its nightstand water is bottled less than 40 miles away), and emphasizing public transit or e-bike rentals for in-city activities. At check-in, guests receive a Bern Ticket, which provides complimentary access to always-punctual and far-reaching Swiss public transit.
Stepping Out
By train, Bern is an hour from Interlaken, Zürich, and Lausanne; two hours from Zermatt; and three hours from Milan – it’s a central landing pad for all kinds of Swiss adventures. Bellevue Palace works with local operators to arrange excursions outside the city center to the Renzo Piano-designed Paul Klee Center; little-known Villa Abegg, a workshop dedicated to the preservation of historic textiles and artifacts; and the new Omega watch museum in Biel/Bienne. Chocolate lovers can visit Maison Cailler, and the nearby town of Gruyère awaits those who want to eat their cheese at the source.
Noumi’s underground digs.
Basement Bites
The hotel is historic, and most of its restaurants’ decor embodies its pre-World War I heritage. Marble statues? Check. Crystal chandeliers? Check. But downstairs, a different atmosphere prevails at Noumi, a Japanese-Peruvian bar and grill led by chef Miya Gunji. DJs spin low-key beats each night, and the lamplit, wood-paneled space often echoes with the sound of Swiss German conversation, as the restaurant has been a hit with locals since opening in 2019. Its name is derived from the word “numismatics,” in tribute to the space’s previous life as a coin mint. Inventive cocktails, including a spicy mango margarita with corn-infused tequila, complement dishes from ceviche to gyoza.
The Hood
It’s true: Bern lacks the busy cosmopolitan feel of Zürich or Geneva, and because of lighting restrictions in the Old Town, the city quiets down quickly after dinner. During the day, though, the public plaza next to the hotel often hosts festivals and demonstrations by the famously civically engaged Swiss people, and goods by artisans and local designers stock narrow shops along nearby cobblestoned alleyways. Favorites include Toku for Swiss-designed clothing, sustainable fashion at recently opened Ashka, and cheese shop Chäsbueb. At Swiss Design Market, I picked up a Wili Wili Tree dry bag, which accompanied me on the Bernese summer tradition of hopping in the Aare for a midafternoon float, armed with advice from the hotel’s concierge desk. (A local would never wear water shoes on a float, FYI.)
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Reference: [https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/articles/five-things-we-love-bellevue-palace]