Swiss Palace is in season for Middle East guests

In recent times, it has welcomed a rising tide of leisure and business travellers from the Middle East, and visitors from the region are expected in force during the next few months, during Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and for winter getaway breaks.

"We receive a healthy flow of Middle East guests, and are well equipped to meet their special needs, particularly at times like Ramadan," said Mr. Marich, the hotel's general manager, who works tirelessly to maintain its reputation. For a third successive year, it is the No. 1 hotel in Switzerland, according to the leading Swiss economic magazine, 'Bilanz', and has also been placed in the Top Ten European Hotels in the latest ratings of Condé Nast Traveler.

Over the years, the hotel's guest list has included Saudi Arabia's King Saud bin Abdulaziz, Jordan's King Hussein, and Nelson Mandela, along with actors Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson, and singers Elton John and Phil Collins.

"We're sometimes seen as a hotel for the rich and famous, and we still receive many rich and famous guests," said Mr Marich. "But this is certainly not a hotel exclusively for millionaires, although we aim to make every guest feel like a VIP."


"We once won an award for having one of the ten best views in the world," Mr. Marich says as he makes his way around the hotel. Though nothing is spared to introduce modern conveniences into the magnificent belle-epoque building, it has preserved its old-times charm and elegance.