Taking in
the early morning rays of sun on the terrace of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois,
Basel’s most chi-chi address, the only sound I could hear was the aqua-blue
waters of the Rhine flowing rapidly beneath me.
This hotel
certainly lived up to its name. I felt regal as I tucked into my lavish
breakfast of coffee, fruit, smoked salmon and poached eggs served up well-done,
just the way I like them. It was the perfect way to start the day.
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| Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois at night |
An ode to
old-world elegance, the immaculate and opulent décor of Les Trois Rois is resolutely traditional. One of Europe’s
grandest and oldest hotels it has been attracting the great and the good for
centuries. Les Trois Rois must have been proud of Napoleon’s visit as there is
a suite named after him.
Starting out
life in 1681 as the Inn zu Drei Königen, an establishment for gentlemen only,
it had morphed by the middle of the 19th century into a
first-rate hotel. Thomas Straumann, the current owner who bought the
hotel in 2004 became its new knight in shining armour.
He bought
the neighbouring former Basel Cantonial Bank as an extension and had the buildings
painstakingly restored to pay homage to the lavishness of the legendary Belle
Epoque property. With contemporary comfort slotted in to reflect the very
essence of what guests now demand of a luxury establishment, 20 months later
Les Trois Rois reopened its doors.
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| Double room overlooking the Rhine |
Time and
effort has been put into every detail. Ascending the carpeted steps, huge
glittering chandeliers greet you as you enter. There is definitely a sense of
occasion as you enter the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Antiques pepper the
establishment. The marble gilded pillars of the atrium add style and
sophistication.
As I checked
in I was presented with a single red rose –such a lovely thought. After a warm
welcome. I knew that this stay was going to be an experience that I would
treasure.
My spacious
room overlooking the Rhine was served up with a dollop of nostalgia enhanced
with discreet nudges of high-tech such as Wi-Fi, a heated bathroom floor and a
flat screen TV. Awaiting me was an elegant vase filled with water ready for me
to place my rose. Other lovely touches included three pears, chocolates and a
plate of little cakes. The mini-bar was complimentary. Cocooned in the finest
of linens on an extremely comfy bed, I slept so well.
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| The Brasserie |
The
two-starred Michelin-starred restaurant, the Cheval Blanc was full so I never
got to sample the delights of the renowned chef Peter Knogl. I went to the
Brasserie instead where I had superb food dished up with a distinctive French
and Swiss flavour in a congenial atmosphere with a wonderful setting.
The river
and its banks had taken on a different character at night, something more
magical, I thought as I sipped a delicious glass of chilled Swiss white from
Vaud. This country does produce some real palate pleasers.
I was
spoilt for choice as the menu had plenty of mouth-watering dishes to tempt me.
On the recommendation of the Maître d’hôtel Brasserie I began with cerviche of
scallops which was wonderful.
For
the main course I tucked into the turbot with an exquisite champagne mousse
accompanied by minted peas and home-made ravioli bursting with fresh
vegetables. It was absolutely sensational. A glass of citrus-drenched Chablis
Premier Cru went down a treat with this dish.
Finding
room for dessert was difficult but they were too tempting to turn down. The
variation de sorbets maison was magnificent. Flavours of passion fruit and coconut
assaulted my senses.
Service
throughout Les Trois Rois is impeccable. Everything is done to make your stay most memorable. The only problem is
that it will be extremely difficult to trump this hotel.
By Daralyn
Danns
Getting
there
British
Airways currently flies from London City to Zurich up to four times a day.
Each-way hand baggage only fares are available from £69 (based on a return hand
baggage only fare) and are available to book on www.ba.com/londoncity
(In addition BA has services from Heathrow with connections also available from across the UK and Ireland.)
(In addition BA has services from Heathrow with connections also available from across the UK and Ireland.)
All British
Airways fares include online check-in 24 hours before departure,
complimentary refreshments and drinks on board and no debit card charges
This is such
a great way to fly
Train fares
from Zurich to Basel start at £40 standard class return. For bookings visit www.voyages-sncf.com or phone 0844 848 5848 or call into the Voyages-sncf
Travel Centre, 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU
Travelling
by train is easy in Switzerland. Good frequency trains are punctual and
altogether a pleasant experience
For
more information on Basel visit www.basel.com/en
