For mere mortals, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Translated into royal terms, when Riyadh bakes at 115 °F, the House of Saud swaps sand for Swiss peaks. A few members of the royal family have come to cool off in Switzerland, on a mountaintop aerie perched 1,640 feet above Lake Lucerne, as one would expect the royals of one of the world’s richest families to do. It is not uncommon for royal families to escape to cool spots in Europe while their palaces back home shimmer in the sweltering heat.
The Swiss vacation of the House of Saud members is currently taking place at the luxurious Bürgenstock Resort in the canton of Nidwalden, according to a report in the Luzerner Zeitung newspaper. Around 200 people from Saudi Arabia were reportedly flown in. Their entourage included many cooks and royal provisions. Yes, they may possibly indulge in mouth‑watering Swiss cheese, but only when it is prepared at a gourmet level by their exceptional staff.
No officials have commented on the visit, and the resort’s management has confirmed only that the Saudis have not booked the entire property, a rather surprising detail, considering the royal family does not shy away from spending millions on their lavish holidays. What is known is that Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, a sanctuary of solace perched 500 meters above Lake Lucerne, is where members of the Saudi royal family are unwinding. Founded in 1873, the resort encompasses three hotels and an enclave of residences, all celebrated for designs that immerse guests in the Alpine scenery.
Spanning over 60 hectares, the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne is a luxury destination favored by royals for decades, from Queen Ingrid of Denmark and King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand to Princess Grace (Grace Kelly) and Prince Rainier III of Monaco, and even Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim Al Thani of the Qatari royal family. In all probability, the affluent Saudi royals have taken residence in the Lake View Royal Suite (a.k.a. Presidential Suite) atop the Bürgenstock Hotel, with an additional rooftop terrace commanding unparalleled views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps.
