22 THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY
MKV DESIGN
Photos: Paul Lehane
MKV Design Revitalises
Bürgenstock Resort
Hotel
One of Switzerland’s most legendary and the Goldfinger film crew, including Sean layers to this and thus ensuring longevity well
destinations, the Bürgenstock Resort, has Connery, lodged whilst shooting in the region. into the future.
reopened with MKV Design as a principal However, as the 20th Century grew to a designer of this nine-year, multimillion-franc close, the resort was losing its’ way. A lack of a “For my team and myself, our project at
project. The studio was responsible for several renewed master vision, as well as investment, the Bürgenstock Resort has been exciting,
highlights within the resort: meant Bürgenstock could no longer live challenging and enriching. Each of the buildings
• The Bürgenstock Hotel: architectural up to the expectations of guests who were we have designed or redesigned is completely
masterplanning and interior design increasingly well-travelled and familiar with individual in character and offers a unique
• The Bürgenstock Alpine Spa: interior design the new luxury offerings of other resort experience for guests and residents. However,
• The Palace Hotel and Conferences: interior destinations. as a collection, they represent one of the most
visionary developments we have ever had the
design
• Grand Residence Suites: interior design Bürgenstock was in need of reinvention, one privilege to work on.”
• Sharq Oriental Restaurant and Shisha that was both visionary and in keeping with Maria Vafiadis, Founder, MKV Design
Lounge: interior design
the 130-year- old narrative of the very large,
140-acre resort. Ten years ago, under new PUBLIC AREAS
Chief amongst the considerable design ownership, the plan was formed to renovate or, The new Bürgenstock Hotel and Alpine Spa
challenges was restoring prestige to a resort in some cases, demolish the existing buildings, sits at the heart of the resort. It is where guests
that had been a legend since 1873, which had to introduce new world-class elements and to arrive via the legendary, and now renovated,
a fine pioneering heritage - Switzerland’s first upgrade all infrastructure. MKV was tasked with electric railway and have their first unforgettable
electric railway, Europe’s highest outdoor providing a guest experience that was specific view of the panorama from the resort before
elevator - and which had been synonymous to each part it was designing, buildings which proceeding to the piazza. The experience of
with glamour and celebrity. It was here that, nevertheless would “click” together to create a the Bürgenstock Hotel is that of being in a
in the mid-20th Century, Audrey Hepburn homogenous destination. Above all, the work helicopter or a bird in flight hovering above the
was married, Charlie Chaplin regularly stayed, was to reaffirm and celebrate what is unique sheer drop of the Bürgenberg Mountain into the
Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti made their home about the Bürgenstock experience, adding new valley and down to Lake Lucerne.