The Savoy Hotel Zurich—today known as the Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich—is one of Switzerland’s most historic hotels and is closely tied to the country’s financial industry. Located directly on Paradeplatz, it has long been a preferred meeting place for bankers, investors, and decision-makers from around the globe.

Founded in 1838 by Johannes Baur (which is why it is still also referred to as Baur en Ville), the hotel was the first grand hotel in the city. Guests such as Franz Liszt, Charles Dickens, and later Marlene Dietrich helped make it an institution.

A Setting for Confidential Meetings

Its proximity to Credit Suisse (CS), UBS, and other leading institutions of the Swiss financial sector has given the hotel a special status in banking circles. For decades, the Savoy served as a setting for confidential meetings, business dinners, and banking deals. Credit Suisse, which owned the property for many years, also held board meetings at the Savoy.

With the downfall of Credit Suisse, the property passed to UBS, and the Savoy became the Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich. «We searched for a long time for the ideal location in the city of Zurich and are now all the more pleased to have been operating the Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich since 2023,» says Offir Possu Estay, Director of PR & Communications. Occupancy, at times, has reached 100 percent.

Access to the UBS Archive

Now, the international hotel group has commissioned a comprehensive documentation of the hotel’s history at Paradeplatz. The book will be published this spring in both English and German. The author is Andreas Augustin, a globally recognized expert on hotel history. He is the founder of The Most Famous Hotels in the World, an organization that brings together over 450 legendary historic hotels under one roof.

For his work, Augustin was granted access to the UBS archive, among other sources. The book covers the period from the founding of the Savoy up to the year 2024 and will also highlight which international celebrities have visited the hotel.

«With this book, we want to express our appreciation for the property and its 187-year history,» says Offir Possu Estay.