When Zurich’s Atlantis by Giardino first opened its doors in 1970, it became an instant magnet for visiting rockstars, acommodating the likes of Freddie Mercury and The Who, who - as the story goes - once hurled furniture into the pool after a local gig.
Designed in the 1960s by local architects Hans and Annemarie Hubacher and Peter Issler, the Y-shaped hotel sits on the edge of a forest at the foot of the Üetliberg mountains, not far from the city’s famous shopping avenue, Bahnhofstrasse. Now, after an extensive spruce-up by global hospitality design firm HBA - who have transformed the modernist building into a functioning hotel once again - the iconic property has recaptured its bygone glamour.
A tastefully muted colour palette dictates the elegant theme of the hotel, while plush materials - from rich parquet flooring to supple leather headboards - add substance to the 95 guest rooms, highlighting cityscape vistas outside.
Downstairs, indulge in two-Michelin-starred chef Rolf Fliegauf’s eight course menu at Ecco, or sip on one of the local Swiss beers in the bar before heading to chef Bastian Mantey’s Asian inspired restaurant where Ayurveda-influenced vegetarian dishes take centre stage. This is all after day spent lounging by the 25-metre heated outdoor pool or in the spa, enjoying one of the treatments from the expansive list, of course.
