“You are in the Diva suite,” I was told as I checked into the Kameha
Grand Zürich. What could I have possibly done to deserve this? I suppose the look on my face
said it all as my fears were immediately put to rest when it was explained to
me that is one of 11 of the hotel’s themed suits.
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| Kameha Grand Zűrich by night |
Having arrived to be confronted by a giant cowbell in the lobby,
I had instantly got the impression that this is a hotel that stands out from
the crowd. No wonder that Dutch design genius Marcel Wanders was labelled by
the New York Times, the “Lady Gaga of design” At the Kameha, it looks as if he
has spearheaded a revolution in design.
Unlike so
many hotels where you forget which country you are in, here you know that you
are in Switzerland. Wanders has given a whole new meaning to the typical Swiss
associations. Gold-flecked sofas that resemble Toblerones, bank vaults that
hide coffee machines and mini-bars, lights that look like cowbells, brown-padded panels which morph walls into slabs of chocolate, and decorative
references to the clock and watch industry are just some of the quirky and ingenious touches that give this hotel a sense of place.
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| The lobby |
Here at the
Kameha Grand, lifestyle and design merge into a splurge-worthy retreat that is
an antidote to rushed city life. Part of the Glatt Park development project,
you are only a short walk from the park and a 550-metre long man-made lake
where you can swim. The airport is only a 10-minute drive away and you can
reach the city by tram which takes approximately half an hour. Fashioned to be
a destination, this hotel has definitely fulfilled its ambition. It is like
being on a voyage of discovery, there is always something to see.
I thought I
had landed up backstage on a Hollywood film set when I entered the Diva Suite.
Flavoured with an indulgent layer of glamour, it also had all the mod cons
including push button blinds, a large flat screen TV and importantly free, fast
Wi-Fi.
The dressing
table had an illuminated
mirror, perfect for applying make-up. There was a dressmaker’s mannequin and
even a wine cooler. The generous-sized bathroom with a free-standing bath had a
walk-in rain shower with a separate mirrored loo which did take some getting
used to. Full-sized Molton Brown toiletries were another lovely touch as was
the scrumptious cup cake I located in my bedroom.
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| The Diva suite |
Keep fit
fanatics should book for a stay in the Workout suite which has its own treadmill and weight-training
bench For those that like a flutter ask for the Poker Face suite that comes
complete with a roulette table. Just want to be reminded that you are in
Switzerland? Then plump for the Watchmaker suite.
Others
include a Serenity suite and Princess suite so you are bound to find one that
floats your boat. There are also 224 premium and deluxe rooms as well as two
executive suites, six business suites, the King Kameha suite and the Space
suite.
The hotel
also has a gym and if you want
to indulge in some pampering there is a superb spa. For those of you that still
like to light up there is a cigar lounge which is reminiscent of a gentleman’s
club. Clamouring for Arabian nights? Make a beeline for the rather exotic
shisha parlour.
Japanese
cuisine lovers will certainly appreciate the food at Yu Nijyo. It serves up
some of the best I have tasted outside Japan. For pasta, homemade of course, and
a good selection of sauces, try the Italian restaurant, L’Unico. The
name, I was told, is the Italian translation of Kameha, the
Hawaiian-origin word that means “the unique”. Perfect for a cocktail is
the chic Pure Gold Bar.
You will be
hard-pressed to find fault with the service at the Kameha Grand. You are
treated as if you are the most important person in the hotel. Written into the
fabric of the hotel is the motto “Life is Grand” and here it certainly is. One
warning: don’t get too ensconced here, you ought to spend some time seeing
Zurich.
By Daralyn
Danns
Getting
there
British Airways currently flies from London City to
Zurich up to 4 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.)
All British
Airways fares include online check-in 24 hours before departure, complimentary
refreshments and drinks on board and no debit card charges
Customers
have a quick and easy journey through the Docklands airport, with hand baggage
it takes just 15 minutes to get from kerbside to airside
This is such
a great way to fly
Kameha Grand Zűrich (Tel: +41 44 525 5000) Email: zuerich@kameha.com
Website: www.kamehagrandzuerich.com)
offers accommodation in the heart of Zurich. Rates start from £225 per room
(per night)
A destination
in its own right. This superb hotel is a short drive from the airport and
an half-an-hour tram ride to the city. Highly recommended
