Hotel Pilatus-Kulm

How does a hotel rise to almost 7,000 feet and only have five floors? With a little geological help of course. Situated on top of a mountain once visited by a dragon (according to legend), this mountain top inn has also had its fair share of famous visitors – including a well-known British royal. 

As the story goes, in 1451, a farmer on Mt. Pilatus was almost hit by a dragon flying through and fainted from the experience (as one would). Upon waking up, the farmer noticed a “dragon stone” and some blood, and discovered that the stone had healing powers. It appears his fellow citizens believed the stone had magical properties as well, as it was legally declared to be a healing stone in 1509, now preserved at the Museum of Nature in nearby Lucerne. 

Stones and dragons, however, weren’t the only attraction to the towering peak. As mountaineering became a popular pastime of leisure in the 19th Century, world-renowned figures such as Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Wagner traversed to the summit of Pilatus. Queen Victoria of Great Britain, to find some solace after the death of her beloved husband, rode on a mule to get to the top of the mountain in 1868. Whether due to popularity or not willing to risk another royal needing to ride a mule, a cog rail was installed in 1889 on the mountain to provide easier access to the mountaintop. At a 48% gradient, it is still the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. 

The classic chalet-style Hotel Kulm Pilatus was completed shortly after the railway in 1890. Housing 27 rooms, it offers a 360 panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and breathtaking landscape. The location’s festive dining hall is also named in honor of the British Queen and her journey to the top of Pilatus.

Offering bucket list-worthy sunsets from its cozy interiors, this typically Swiss hotel in the sky is worth the daring ascent up its mountainous foundation. Unfortunately, these days a patron probably will not find dragons or healing stones, but the views and mountain air do have certain medicinal powers.

Written By: Seamus McMahon