Switzerland, September 2015: Steve McQueen stayed there. Freddie Mercury gave an impromptu performance in the bar. Shirley MacLaine flirted with an employee. And Muhammad Ali prepared for a fight there. Welcome to an iconic landmark that has always played a central role in Zurich life. Welcome to the Atlantis by Giardino, which will open on 1st December 2015, following an extensive renovation programme.

Styled as an urban retreat, the 95-room hotel will provide a unique and indulgent alternative to the city's current hotel offering. Situated in the western part of Zurich, Atlantis by Giardino is just a15-minute drive from the city's famous Bahnhofstrasse and within a stone's throw of the countryside, thanks to its location on the edge of a forest at the foot of the Üetliberg mountains.

In many ways, the hotel is a reflection of the city: an urban heart close to the rhythmic pulse of nature. The state-of-the-art infrastructure, meeting rooms and the proximity of Zurich's city buzz will appeal to the business traveller, while the location close to the countryside is sure to attract those looking to escape the stresses of a hard-working day, as well as those travelling purely for leisure.

A Y-shaped building with three wings, the hotel is set in its own extensive grounds and will have a 25-metre heated outdoor pool, as well as an indoor pool and generously proportioned spa, alongside two restaurants and two bars, and flexible meeting space for meetings and events.

The dipiù Spa, with panoramic views over Zurich, will take an holistic approach offering both Ayurvedic and modern treatments, a wide range of sporting activities and an individual service tailored to guests' personal needs. Recovery and indulgence are key words in the 1500 square metre spa, which includes sauna and steam rooms (with quiet zones), relaxation areas, a Pilates and yoga studio, a gym, and four spacious treatment rooms (where therapists will use Aveda products as well as Giardino Group's own spa range called dipiù) and one luxury spa suite with private Jacuzzi and steam room.

Chef Rolf Fliegeauf, one of Switzerland's most decorated chefs who has already been awarded two Michelin stars at two of the Atlantis' sister properties, will bring his outstanding cuisine, which combines craftsmanship and sophisticated individuality, to the city creating Ecco Zurich. The less formal Hide & Seek restaurant will serve up European, Middle Eastern and Asian favourites to appeal to a wide international market.

Three flexible meeting spaces will easily accommodate as few as eight for a board meeting and as many as 200 for a cocktail event.

Stylish interiors employing handmade furnishings and the finest fabrics play on the contradiction between city and countryside, while paying homage to the architecture of the building and its interesting past.

Built between 1968 and 1970, Atlantis by Giardino is recognised as an important example of post-war Modernist architecture. From its construction till October 2004, it functioned as a hotel before closing and becoming a popular venue for Zurich's artistic community. It was bought by the existing owners in 2012 and they appointed London-based HBA, the world's leading hospitality design firm, to oversee its extensive refurbishment programme.

Rates will start from CHF 549 (approx £380) per room per night, including breakfast, wifi and (non-alcoholic) minibar drinks. For more information and to book, please visit http://atlantisbygiardino.ch

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Notes for Editors

The Swiss-based Giardino Group manages four hotels in the country, as follows:

-          Giardino Ascona

-          Giardino Lago

-          Giardino Mountain

-          Atlantis by Giardino

FAST FACTS

5* superior hotel

Rooms

95 rooms and suites, all with Nespresso coffee and Belmondo tea facilities, dipiù spa amenities in bathrooms, bathrobes & slippers, most rooms have balconies

-          Generous rooms (34 to 35 m2)

-          Luxe rooms (37 to 40 m2)

-          Junior suites (41 to 44 m2)

-          Senior suites (41 to 56 m2)

-          Suite Metropol (206 to 250 m2)

Rates start from CHF549 and include breakfast buffet, Wifi , (non-alcoholic) minibar, daily newspaper and city shuttle.

Bars & Restaurants

Hide & Seek: cosmopolitan atmosphere where signature fusion drinks & local beers are served

Ocean Bar: poolside for al fresco cocktails served in a casual urban setting

Hide & Seek: casual dining – serving a contemporary take on international fusion cuisine

Ecco Zurich: fine dining – a multi-award-winning restaurant concept, already seen in Ascona and St Moritz, where the restaurants have 2 Michelin stars each

Meetings & Events

Three flexible meeting spaces, accommodating between 8 and 200 people

Tide: boardroom meeting space (accommodating between 8 and 22 people)

Drift: meeting & banqueting room (accommodating up to 40 people)

Wave: event hall (accommodating between 80 and 200 people)

dipiù Spa
Indoor & outdoor pool, steam & sauna zone, relaxation areas, Technogym fitness centre, yoga/Pilates studio, massage and beauty treatments (including nail bar), signature dipiù cosmetic line complemented by Aveda products, hair salon

Activites

Panoramic hiking trail from the hotel into the Uetliberg mountains
Lively local neighbourhood

Myriad shopping and entertainment opportunities in the city

Boat trips and sailing on Lake Zurich

Cultural visits to theatres and arts centres

Walks through the historic old town and museum visits 

Location

From                                      By car                        By train

Zurich rail station               15 minutes    20 minutes              

Zurich airport                      25 minutes    30 minutes

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For more information and hi res CGIs, please contact:

Sue Heady
Heady Communications
T: 01608 651 692
E: sue@headycommunications.com