1 Magical Night at Hotel Bellevue Pilatus Kulm: A Romantic Review
A Birthday Getaway
In 2021, Mehran surprised me with a wonderful night stay at Hotel Bellevue at Pilatus Kulm. It was a special birthday getaway and we were both extremely excited about it. Here is how we managed it.
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Arriving in Luzern
- Via Train or Bus: Take a direct train to Lucerne from Zurich, Bern, or Basel, followed by a short bus ride to Kriens to catch the Mount Pilatus cable car. Check schedules and book tickets via Busbud here.
- Via Flight: Fly into Zurich Airport and take a direct train to Lucerne to experience a romantic getaway at Switzerland’s iconic mountain top. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Getting Around and Staying in Switzerland
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
- Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.
Arriving At Pilatus Kulm
Following an evening drive from Zurich, we parked in Kriens and boarded the historic Pilatus railway, ascending toward the summit at Pilatus Kulm
Pro-tip: Secure your goldola ticket using the widget below to skip the long queues.
Gourmet Dining and Astronomy Plans
We had also booked an astronomy evening at the location. Before the stargazing, we enjoyed a luxurious 5 course dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food was extremely delicious and beautifully prepared.
Making Our Own Magic: Stargazing and Board Games
Next, we waited for the stargazing experience to begin. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side and the official astronomy event was cancelled. However, we both woke up in the middle of the night and decided to have our own go at some stargazing. We spotted a few stars through the clouds, but overall it was a massive failure due to the weather. Instead of letting it ruin our night, we spent the rest of the evening playing our Harry Potter board game that we had brought along with us.
Exploring Mount Pilatus
We woke up the next morning and had an awesome breakfast at the location. Next, we started exploring the peak of Mount Pilatus. We took a few scenic walks around the outdoor trails and thoroughly explored the indoor areas as well. In the afternoon, we started making our way back to our car to head home.
Our Final Thoughts for Couples
Overall, it was an extremely memorable experience. This was especially meaningful to us as it was one of our last getaways before our daughter’s birth at the tail end of 2021. While we could not experience the astronomy night, we still had a blast with the stunning views and awesome food.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Hotel Bellevue at Pilatus Kulm?
You can reach the hotel and the mountain peak by taking the panoramic gondola and cable car from Kriens, or by riding the historic cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad.
Is the food good at the Pilatus Kulm restaurants?
Yes, the dining experience is exceptional. The multi course dinners offer extremely delicious local and international cuisine paired with breathtaking mountain views.
Can you go stargazing at Mount Pilatus?
Yes, the hotel frequently organizes official astronomy nights. Even if the official event is cancelled due to weather, you can sometimes catch views of the night sky directly from the peak.
