Audrey Hepburn tied the knot at this legendary Swiss hotel—71 years on, it’s more stylish than ever.

      If walls could speak, the Bürgenstock Resort would have a wealth of stories to share from its 152-year history. For example, in 1954, Audrey Hepburn wed Mel Ferrer in a Pierre Balmain dress at the chapel of this Swiss resort. In the 1960s, Sophia Loren loved Bürgenstock so much that she settled into a villa on the property. While filming the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, Sean Connery and the cast and crew stayed at the hotel. Over its history, presidents, prime ministers, diplomats, mayors, and chancellors from more than 100 countries have walked its esteemed halls, alongside kings, queens, princes, and princesses. And sports figures haven't been overlooked—homegrown star Roger Federer filmed a Uniqlo campaign at one of Bürgenstock's tennis courts in 2024. With its rich history, modern enhancements, globally renowned spa, and stunning location perched over 1,600 feet above Lake Lucerne, it's clear why I journeyed almost 6,000 miles from Los Angeles to experience it. After years of longing to visit, I felt it was essential to see Switzerland’s appeal for myself. Continue reading below for a glimpse of my experiences at the resort, including accommodations, activities, dining, and more.

      When journeying to Bürgenstock, you'll utilize more than just planes, trains, and automobiles. I began my trip by flying from Los Angeles to Zürich. After landing, I proceeded to the train station conveniently located beneath the airport, allowing me to bypass the outdoors. An hour and 15 minutes later, I arrived in Lucerne, where I took a short walk along the lake to a boat dock to board the resort's private catamaran. Finally, I hopped on the Bürgenstock Funicular, Switzerland's inaugural electric cable car, which brought me directly into the lobby. Was the trip worthwhile? Definitely. I highly recommend enjoying the scenic boat ride and funicular for a complete Swiss experience, though you can certainly drive straight to the hotel if you prefer.

      Occupying 148 acres, the property offers 360 hotel rooms and suites, 17 residence suites, 12 restaurants, a 100,000-square-foot spa, 30 buildings, a golf course, a movie theater, a ballroom, and numerous conference rooms. In other words, don’t hesitate to grab a map from the front desk.

      Many hotels around the globe have welcomed famous guests, but few can claim that celebrities have actually resided there. As it turns out, two of Hollywood's most prominent figures have made long-term stays at the Bürgenstock Resort: Sophia Loren, seen in the bottom left in front of her villa, and Audrey Hepburn, pictured at the top right in a Pierre Balmain dress with her husband Mel Ferrer at the resort's chapel. Following their wedding at Bürgenstock, Hepburn and Ferrer moved into a house on the property, where they welcomed their son Sean, who was baptized in the same chapel. Though Hepburn lived in several countries throughout her life—including Belgium, England, the Netherlands, and the United States—Switzerland was known to be her favorite place, where she chose to be laid to rest.

      While Loren and Hepburn utilized Bürgenstock as an escape from the film industry, the James Bond franchise placed the resort at the center of cinematic magic. Sean Connery, shown in the top left, along with the cast and crew of the 1964 film Goldfinger, resided at Bürgenstock during filming, with scenes shot at the resort's Hollywood Pool and the underground Bull's Eye Bar.

      Bürgenstock isn't just a favorite of Hollywood. In 2024, the resort hosted the largest diplomatic event in Switzerland’s history: the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, attracting 57 heads of state and 2,000 staff members, security personnel, and journalists, with participants from 92 different nations.

      What activities does the resort offer? Quite a lot. The spa, in particular, draws both guests and visitors, with day passes available. Even without booking a massage or facial, you can spend hours enjoying the pools, saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, and relaxation areas. Yoga classes, manicures, and pedicures are also offered. Most importantly, you can't miss the outdoor infinity pool (seen at the top left), which is heated throughout the year.

      As a huge tennis fan, I was thrilled to see the Diamond Dome Tennis Courts, which some may recognize from Roger Federer's Uniqlo spring/summer 2024 campaign. In my opinion, Federer is Switzerland's most significant export—behind only chocolate and watches!

      Given its Hollywood ties, it’s fitting that Bürgenstock has its own movie theater. I was still impressed by its size, featuring 69 luxurious leather seats and a massive screen rivaling those of mainstream theaters. If you