Lucerne, Switzerland – 28 September 2018 – Katara Hospitality, the leading global hotel owner, developer and operator based in Qatar, has unveiled the legendary Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, in a grand opening ceremony signifying the resort’s official opening after nine years of construction work and an eventful opening year, the Bürgenstock Resort, with its four hotels, shines out like a beacon over Lake Lucerne in all its new splendour.
Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality, the Bürgenstock Resort hosted over 1,000 highly esteemed guests, graced by the presence of Swiss Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann, Mr. Hamad Abdullah Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality, Mr. Bruno Schöpfer, Managing Director of Katara Hospitality Switzerland AG, state counsellors and officials from Switzerland.
On this occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality said: “We are honoured to witness the grand opening ceremony of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, as it revives the property’s prestigious past while marking a new step forward in the region’s long tradition of hospitality. Katara Hospitality is globally renowned for creating landmark hospitality gems that enhance the tourism landscape in the markets we operate, and such a momentous occasion further illustrates our continued success within the global luxury tourism sector.”
Swiss Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann praised the pioneering spirit of the two Bürgenstock founders, Bucher and Durrer, who in the 19th century built a hotel complex to welcome guests from around the world high above Lake Lucerne, a feat that was well before its time and which required great entrepreneurial spirit. They then equipped it with the first electric funicular railway in Switzerland. “It gives me great pleasure to see how this pioneering spirit lives on and how the Bürgenstock Resort is now equipped to welcome guests from all over the world once more to the heart of Switzerland with this incomparable view,” said Swiss Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann.
Mr. Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality added: “The legendary Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne epitomises the opulence and impeccable service standards characteristic of Swiss hospitality. It is Katara Hospitality’s distinguished pleasure to unveil a beautifully restored historical building and luxury resort, which adds to the charm of the city of Lucerne, while appealing to the tastes of our esteemed guests,” he added.
In line with Katara Hospitality’s mission to preserve the heritage of iconic hotels around the world, the Bürgenstock Resort has entirely reinvented itself, building on a long-standing tradition of attracting the world’s elites. Overlooking Lake Lucerne, recently underwent a multimillion dollar extensive yet masterful redesign.
The iconic resort is the third project to open under The Bürgenstock Selection, a collection of luxurious hotels in Switzerland owned by Katara Hospitality. The portfolio consists of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA (99 rooms) and the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne (196 rooms).
Welcoming to Lucerne a supreme splendor reminiscent of the reigning spirit and elegance of Swiss hospitality, the resort comprises of four hotels with a category of three to five-star Superior, with 383 rooms and suites, a Health & Medical Center, eight restaurants and bars, 67 Residence Suites, a 10,000 m2 Alpine Spa, as well as a host of facilities and services to enchant the most discerning of contemporary tastes.
For Bruno H. Schöpfer, Managing Director of Bürgenstock Selection and the ideas man and driving force behind the Bürgenstock Resort, 28 September 2018 is a day for celebration: “My work for Bürgenstock Selection started ten years ago with the commission and the vision to turn the Bürgenstock Resort into a top international address once more, a resort that all of Switzerland could be proud of. It has been a long journey and there have been numerous challenges. But this makes my pleasure all the greater in greeting our investors, government representatives, our project team, our staff and the more than 1,000 companies involved to thank them for their collaboration over the last ten years.”
Robert P. Herr, General Manager of the Bürgenstock Resort said: “The 145-year history of the Bürgenstock Resort makes us need to exceed the expectations of our hotel guests every day. I would like to extend a big thank you to the more than 700 members of staff who, with their daily work, have ensured that the resort has made an excellent start during its first 365 days. After a demanding opening year, I am looking forward to successfully taking the Bürgenstock Resort into the future, together with my team.”
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About Katara Hospitality
Katara Hospitality is a global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar. With more than 45 years’ experience in the industry, Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in peerless hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of iconic properties in key international markets. Katara Hospitality’s portfolio has grown to include 39 owned and / or managed hotels and the company is now focused on achieving its target of 60 hotels in its portfolio by 2026. As the country’s flagship hospitality organisation, Katara Hospitality supports Qatar’s long-term economic vision.
Katara Hospitality currently owns properties spread across four continents in Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand and United States of America. While it partners with some of the finest hotel management companies, Katara Hospitality operates owned and non-owned hotels through its standalone operating arm, Murwab Hotel Group.
Katara Hospitality has gained global recognition for its contributions to the Qatari and international hospitality landscape, through numerous prestigious accolades from the industry.
About Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne
The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne is part of the Bürgenstock Selection, based in Zug, Switzerland. The resort comprises four hotels with a category of three to five-star Superior, with 383 rooms and suites, a Health & Medical Center, eight restaurants and bars, 67 Residence Suites, a 10,000 m2 Alpine Spa, and a wide range of leisure activities. The portfolio consists of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA (99 rooms) and the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne (196 rooms). The total investment volume of the Bürgenstock Selection amounts to one billion francs.
