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Zurich's Dolder Grand Goes Fancy and Green

Where: KURHAUSSTRASSE 65, Zurich, Switzerland, 8032

We've been waiting since 2004 for the Dolder Grand Hotel to finish its renovations and reopen in one of our favorite European cities, Zurich. After spending around $400 million on the transformation, we're guessing it'll probably be worth the wait.

The Dolder Grand is what they like to call a "city resort", and although it's still within Zurich itself, the hotel is rather like a hill-top castle from which you can see over the lake and to the Swiss Alps as well. It has 173 rooms in the main building, which have all been fully renovated and the building restored. The new addition at the Dolder is a 40,000 square foot spa, designed by "international spa consultant" (that's a job we'd like) Sylvia Sepielli.

April 2008 is the estimated reopening date for the Dolder Grand and they're already taking reservations from then onwards.

We're quite impressed by what they call a "pioneering geothermal energy concept": during the renovation they've buried 70 geothermal probes beneath the foundations, which draw enough power to run the heating in winter and the air-conditioning in summer. Luxurious and green is fine by us.