Ski lodge style for Swiss Zurich lounge
It's certainly a novel look for an upmarket airline lounge.
The new Zurich Swiss Senator lounge looks as if it should be on the top of a mountain in the Alps, not in a major airport, the hub of Swiss.
The 500 square metre SWISS Alpine Lounge is in the heart of the Schengen area of the airport at Terminal A, and can accommodate up to 100 travellers, and is described by the airline as offering a 'multi-sensual airport lounge experience'.
Zurich's new Swiss Alpine Lounge blends all the charm of a rustic yet contemporary mountain hut with the design of Swiss lounges.
There are plenty of light bleached pine elements and bespoke furniture, much of it hand-made by Swiss craft people. The quality alpine-style carpets and cushion covers are also hand-crafted and sourced from small Swiss manufacturers. Large communal wooden tables underscore the hut-like ambience, carved tree trunks serve as tables, while the high windows offer fabulous views of the apron area and its flight activities.
There is a modern buffet concept around a rustic oven, in which seasonal dishes are prepared, and a the self service buffet has a large number of rustic salads, cold cuts, cheeses and breads.
There is also an eye-popping immersive video wall that tracks your progress up the stairs and birds follow you as you climb, while a mountain goat looks sternly on as you descend.
There is a small bar, including a selection of local Swiss wines and spirits. However, for those wanting to remain pure, The eye-catching granite water fountain is a notable feature, which operates as simple tap water fountain, serving Zurich tap water - which is some of the cleanest in the world.
The bathrooms meanwhile use all natural Soeder toiletries, which naturally are in glass bottles to reduce waste.
Replacing the old First Class lounge in the A gates of Terminal 2, the new Alpine Lounge helps provide some respite to large numbers of mid afternoon Schengen departures.
The new SWISS Alpine Lounge is open Mondays to Fridays from 05:30 to 18:30. The lounge is available to Miles & More Senators, Star Alliance Gold Members and Business Class travellers on SWISS and other Lufthansa Group airlines.
However, mere Business Class passengers are not admitted.
Recommended
Buy on board meals in economy.
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