My personal highlight: Relaxing in the oasis of wellness & health famous for its 36.5 degrees Celsius water – Flying my senses high with an exceptional fine dining experience at IGNIV

Bad Ragaz is a cozy small village in the canton of St. Gallen. It is the home of a famous natural spring. It’s a popular spa and health resort destination in Europe. Beside the wellbeing factor you find wonderful art & sculptures all over the Resort and the tiny village. This place is home of The Swiss Triennial Festival of Sculpture, called Bad RagARTz. An event of international fame visited from artists all over Europe.

Discovered accidentally in 1240, the salubrious effects of Pfäfers’ mineral springs were recognised early on. The famous natural scientist, physician and philosopher Paracelsus, who is regarded as the first spa physician of Bad Pfäfers, worked there in 1535 and wrote an entire book on the therapeutic effects of the water with a temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius. 

Spoil your soul in the Thermal Water World

Experience a holistic wellness program that suits to all that want to maintain health or improve it, need relax or simply love to enjoy a swim. In the “Thermal Spa” you will find an extensive water world with the Helenabad (35°C) or Sportbad (29°C) pools. The Tamina Therme is the cherry on the top. It’s a public wellbeing oasis and haven of relaxation! Get more on the spa offer here. Enjoy their Garden Pool with an outdoor bar from May to September.

Get to know the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

Located about three hours by car from Munich and one hour’s drive from Zurich you will find an excellent variety of hospitality. There are 4 different Grand Hotels. Three five stars: The Grand Hotel Quellenhof (as of 1000 CHF), the SPA Suites (suites as of 890 CHF), the GRAND HOTEL HOF RAGAZ (rooms as of 450 CHF) and the Palais Hotel (Relais & Chateaux Bad Ragaz) (Rooms as of 450 CHF). Further There is a Medical Center & Clinic Bad Ragaz, Thermal Spa’s and an Events & Conference center. From classic, opulent, traditional to purist design. Find an option for every taste.
For your culinary experience: choose out of seven restaurants, four bars, a bistro, a café and sushi takeaway for a variety of delights! Don’t miss the exhibition that brings you closer the complete history around the Grand Resort especially created in occasion of the 150 years of anniversary!
More on the culinary experiences in the blog post below!

The resort is also very popular among golfers. It is the only resort in Switzerland to have two golf courses of its own. One is suitable for beginners, the other for professionals.

The Grandhotel Quellenhof – My design eye-catchers

Last July, after only five months of construction and an investment of CHF 45 million, the completely renovated Grand Hotel Quellenhof once again opened its doors. The famous Swiss interior designer Claudio Carbone redesigned the Grand Hotel Quellenhof with a concept focussed around both the hotel’s history and its thermal water.
The 16 metre high chandelier is one of the highlights. 2500 impressive blue and white spheres made of mouth blown glass shines in the stairway.
The design and size of the wine counter around the entrance of the Restaurant Verve by Sven captured my attention, too. Not to mention the fabulous modern and elegant interior of the restaurant Verve by Sven made with natural materials paired with warm colours, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere!

Accommodation at Grand Hotel Quellenhof

Choose between different sized rooms as the Junior suite with 50 m2 with an elegant and seductive atmosphere! The materials and colors used for the interiors transmit the art of tradition meeting modernity with the special luxury touch. Explore the minibar with delicious soft drinks or and delicate red wine. What captured my attention was the bathroom! An image of the astonishing “Tamina Schlucht” overlooking the bath tube, an exceptional craftsmanship result lasered on a natural black stone. The parquet is made of Swiss natural wood and a dream to walk on. The view from the room overlooks the beautiful alps and is just the perfect setup for a peaceful treat.

A warm thank you to Grand Hotel Quellenhof for giving me the opportunity to be the first guest sleeping in the new suite!

Beside the Junior suites you find Junior suites Deluxe, (both 50 m2), Corner Junior suites (60 m2), Suites (80 m2), Grand Suites (100 m2), Royal suites (200 m2,  spacious lounge, living room, fireplace) and the legendary King Suite (270 – 600 m2 for luxury at the highest level).
Get more on the rooms here.

Gourmet Highlights at Grandresort Bad Ragaz

Choose out from local Swiss food to Asian specialities all the way to a modern fine-dining sharing experience and French haute cuisine. At Grand Resort Bad Ragaz you experience indulgence and style. Culinary art and atmosphere. The restaurants and Bars to choose out are:

• VERVE BY SVEN (Health & Lifestyle Cuisine & refined mixed drinks and cocktails)
• MEMORIES (Natural, local & fresh, delicate and puristic Cuisine)
• IGNIV BY ANDREAS CAMINADA (1 Michelin Star, Sharing Fine Dining Experience)
• OLIVES D´OR (sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine)
• NAMUN (A masterpiece of Asian cuisine. With 13 GaultMillau points)
• ZOLLSTUBE (Traditional & Charming, typical Swiss Cuisine & Swiss Beers)
• SCHLOSS WARTENSTEIN (Fresh seasonal & regional Cuisine with the majestic view)
• GLADYS (Club House Classics,
• Snacks, Sushi & Salads at Golf Bistro, Café Therme or Sushi Take away Koiso
• Bars, Get your drink at one of the 4 Bars at The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz: Verve by Sven Bar, Hof Bar, Salon Davidoff, Golden Wave Bar at the Casino Bad Ragaz

Absolutely to recommend: Get breakfast & lunch at “Verve by Sven”
The breakfast of my choice: Verve
Enjoy the healthy thermal drink water (36.5 °), a green smoothie.
Chia lone seed pudding, Granola with bee pollen, berries, a poached bio egg on a home made sour dough bread, tomato jam, Swiss tofu cream with lovage cress.

For lunch you can choose of daily menus that are prepared with healthy, ad fresh and seasonal ingredients. Absolutely to recommend: their cocktail with or without alcohol!

Fine Dining Experience at IGNIV by Andreas Caminada

IGNIV by Andreas Caminada is the place where your valuable time gets enriched by enjoyment and culinary temptations. This 1 Michelin star restaurant surprises and seduces you with a fine dining sharing experience prepared by Chef de cuisine Silvio Germann & his staff. Every course comes in small plates and is perfectly combined with a wine chosen from Chef de Service and Sommelier Francesco Benvenuto. I love the fact that most of the wines are local and let evolve every bite of the carefully prepared dishes to a high level of taste.
The ambience at IGNIV is stylish, modern with the special touch of a traditional ancient living room. The candy shop captured my attention immediately! These hand made sweets are THE must take home after the dining experience!

Try the Fine Dining sharing experience at IGNIV

The name IGNIV derives from the Rhaeto-Romanic word “nest“. Materials such as brass elements and wood as well as the arrangement of the tables give the guest the feeling of being in a nest. Every course served as for example the egg royal (served in an egg shell) makes you experience this element of the nest.

We had a 3 course sharing experience with 5 surprise components! The Sharing experience comes with a variety of very delicate prepared veggies, most of them grown local or regional. Same for the fish and meat. The dining concept is a true pleasure to share with friends, family or with your love!

The amuse bouches
Lettuce, dill – macaron, sour cream, cucumber – cabbage turnip, withe fish – egg royal

Champagne Résonance Marie Courtin

The starters
Char, radish, butter milk – Beef tartar with potato chips – lettuce, parmesan and herbs – foie gras, chocolate – mackerel Sahsimi on a table BBQ, celery – IGNIV salad –
The surprise starter: the chicken Nuggets with BBQ choco sauce

Wine: Sauvignon Blanc Opoka 2014 – Marjan Simcic

The mains
Zander filet – Beef êntrecote from Grison, celery, onions – Veal cheeks, gremolata, young carrots, bramata – Cauliflower, Grüscher Trüffel

Wine: 2017 Chardonnay Martha und Daniel Gantenbein (Fläsch) – 2010 Pinot noir “H”, Christian Hermann (Fläsch)

The Desserts
Egg royal with strawberry & basil – Cocos ice cream, Verveine – Millefeuille with cherry & pistachio, chocolate & sea ​​buckthorn – Quark Soufflé – almond apricots sphere

The costs of the menu per person: CHF 148 for the 3 course, additional you can choose 3 surprise sharing components for additional CHF 40 or 5 surprise sharing components for additional CHF 60.

My personal highlights

The dinner at IGNIV was without doubt my absolutely memorable highlight. Each course was prepared with care and love. On the one hand, this is visible by admiring the presentation of the plates, including the artistic crockery and even more as a taste experience on the palate.
The way the all the staff welcomed me at the Grand Resort from the check in to check out is warm and attentive. Thank you Grand Resort Bad Ragaz especially Mrs. Astrid Hüni for having me.

In the mood of other accommodation suggestions? Visit my travel guide!

www.resortragaz.ch

My personal highlight: Relaxing mind & soul in a secret hideaway – Enjoying Contemporary Thai food with a unique view overlooking Zurichlake in a sea of lights!

Where do you travel to if you are in the mood of a Spa Weekend? Sometimes a short car drive is preferred. The hideway has to be away from the city hustle. Th wellness resort Panorama Resort & SPA in Feusisberg is what you are looking for.

Here fascinating worlds of harmony and balance come together. Its location is fantastic. High above Lake Zurich you will find enjoyment, relaxation and a warm hospitality. The view is magic to admire either from the infinity pool, from the hotel room or by having dinner at the Contemporary Thai Restaurant Loy Fah. In their Rooftop bar called Mongomoon Sky Bar for a moment I thought to be in Bangkok. Watch the movie to understand why!

What makes The Panorama Resort & SPA special?

Being countryside makes one immediately feel serene because the pace is slower! No matter if the desire is relaxation of mind & body, excellent food ora a romantic weekend. Feusisberg is a small village about 35 kilometers distant by car from Zurich, easily to reach by train in less than an hour. The place is known for being the ideal conference place, too.

An absolute highlight is the infinity pool. It’s heated up to 30 degrees. I could not stop keeping my eyes away from all of the little bright lights shining over the lake!

The Akari SPA offers all you need when it comes to spoil your body. Find a wellness paradise on over 2000 m2 including outdoor & indoor pools, whirlpools, jet bubblers, seven different saunas and steam baths, foot whirlpools, cozy rest areas, a healthy spa buffet, spacious outdoor area and a professional gym. Absolutely try the offer of massages, too. It’s the cherry on the top after a wellness day.

Find their weekend specials as of 310 CHF/night (Book until Dec. 21, 2018). More details are available here.

Panorama Resort & SPA in a glimpse

• 102 luxurious rooms & suites
• Price start as of 200 CHF (classic Single room, incl. breakfast)
• Contemporary Thai Restaurant Loy Fah with a stylish Mangomoon Sky Bar at the top of the resort, as well as the gourmet Restaurant “Collina”
• 10 plenary rooms & 8 meeting rooms of various sizes, all with magnificent views over the Lake of Zurich
•  Ideal place for wedding reception or other family celebrations
• Wellness & Spa on over 2000 m2S
• a hearty and service oriented staff

Accommodation

The hotel offers 102 modern rooms in different categories. I found the ambience in the Asian Junior Suite very warm decorated and spacious. The interior is equipped with natural materials as wood and fabrics combined with matching light colors.  Find all details for the booking here.

Food & Drinks

Try one of the three different restaurants or get a fancy drink with typical Thai ingredients as ginger, mint, butterfly pea flower or essences of lemon grass at the Mangomoon Sky Bar. For food there is a choice between the Restaurant Collina, the Contemporary Thai Restaurant Loy Fah or the Restaurant Körnlisegg, about 15 minutes drive from the hotel.

My experience at Contemporary Thai Restaurant Loy Fah

The interior at Loh Fay Restaurant is astonishing. Its design radiates cosmopolitan flair, at the same time it embodies the culture of Thailand. Loy Fah Thai Chef Pich Tongurai and his staff spoiled us with a 4 course dinner, a delight for belly and eyes. Get an interpretation of traditional Thai cuisine in a surprising way. Authentic ingredients of the highest quality and freshness are used: Explore exquisite seafood or extravagant vegetarian dishes. No problem if you are more into meat, everybody finds the perfect choice.

4 course dinner to recommend

Appetizer

Tuna Tatar “Laab” – A fresh Tuna tatar with spices from the north-east region Isaan, with crispy fried mushroom & tapioca chips

or

Ceviche salad “Share Nham Pla”- Thai style king fish ceviche (raw) with lemongrass, sea grapes & chili lime dressing

First course

“Tom Kha” Cappuccino – comes with Galangal root and coconut broth, Thai herbs served with a grilled scallop

or

Pomelo Salat Vegi “Yam Som O” – Thai pomelo salad with grilled palm hearts, toasted coconut flakes & Thai basil

Second course

Sea bass “Pla Ob Kamin”  – In baking-paper steamed sea bass “Thai papillote” with Thai vegetables, turmeric & galangal root butter

or

Beef Curry “Massaman Nua” – Braised beef cheek in Mussamun curry, coconut gnocchi, edamame bean salsa & cashew nuts

Dessert

Mango-Stickyrice “Khao Niau Ma Muang” – Comes with a spring roll, flamed mango & black sesame ice cream

or

Thai Sago Pudding “Phuket Style” – The pudding (tapioca) comes with young coconut and mango ice cream

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 6 – 11 pm. The costs from the menu (set menu or free selection from the menu) are for the 3 course menu 80 CHF and for the 4 course menu 95 CHF.

My personal highlight: the Beef Curry “Massaman Nua”. The beef cheek was extremely tender and the exotic coconut gnocchi combined with a not too intense curry an the ideal contemporary interpretation.

Absolutely try the SPA buffet, too. I loved the fact that plenty of products, including the breakfast buffet are hand made and very genuine in the taste. The scrambled eggs were super creamy, the jams and the “Butterzopf” of excellent softness.

In the mood to get inspired by other travel & food stories? Find more here.