There are many luxury hotels in Switzerland and that's why it's not even surprising that the idea of creating a place for some “special” cars to stay overnight was born here. This is because there are more and more millionaires, fans of luxury and classic cars, who do not want to mix their jewelry on wheels with other “common” vehicles in dirty or overcrowded parking lots. First Carlounge is the answer to these types of concerns.
There should not be a country in Europe where there is a greater density of luxury cars than in Switzerland, from exclusive limousines, sports cars of countless horses or valuable classics.
It's no wonder, therefore, that the first First Carlounge, two luxury relic car hotels, have opened in Switzerland's verdant mountain landscapes, offering very dignified accommodation for a few affluent citizens to leave, in complete peace, works of art on wheels like a McLaren F1, a special edition Ferrari or classics from Aston Martin or Porsche.
Their (quiet) sleep is preserved, which would hardly have happened if they had been abandoned in a common, dark, cramped (even cold) parking lot, where the risk of a gleaming bodywork being carelessly damaged is very high... or simply because envy leads someone to decide to flat a tire or open a hole in the canvas hood of a convertible. Just because.
The advantages of First Carlounge
On the other hand, for those fortunate enough to have relatively large car collections, there is often no space to park them all in their garages or simply the fact that they own several properties — among which they have to distribute their valuable fleet — , makes it easy to concentrate all the assets in one place.
First Carlounge entrance in Feusisberg
Another advantage of the First Carlounge — whose first facility opened in Feusisberg, by Lake Zurich — is that it is not sought after by the type of car owner who, more than anything else, likes to show off with his motorized rarities. And for a very obvious reason: cars are as safe as a Swiss bank, which means that access to people who don't have at least one vehicle that “overnight” here is strictly prohibited, which significantly lowers the audience for any exhibitionistic behaviors.
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To have access to this “living” museum, each member must have a chip card and an individual code that is entrusted solely to the owners who are invariably very discreet and whose identity remains at an absolutely confidential level. So after two attempts to ask the name of some famous owners of these collectibles it became clear that it would be better to find another topic of conversation…
Only in Switzerland…
“Something like this couldn't exist elsewhere”, explains Adrian Gattiker, one of the two Swiss partners of this new hotel chain whose quality of services cannot, at least for the moment, be evaluated on Trip Advisor.
Star brand is also very well represented in Feusisberg
“It would have to be a special place, where the cult of the automobile and everything that messes with engines is very strong, where the smell of gasoline is appreciated almost like a good wine,” agree smiling Gattiker and Christian Gell, his partner two car fanatics of the finest strain, who also own some classic and sports cars.
In fact, it was their own need to have vehicles stored safely and with quality that gave rise to the idea of moving towards a project as unique as this First Carlounge, as they admit:
“It all started with a philosophical conversation between two crazy people about cars who envisioned a high-quality parking lot for special cars, with ample spaces, great cleanliness, air conditioning and the security needed to protect hugely valuable vehicles”.
But that it could also function as a place of worship and meeting place for connoisseurs who always like to admire other works of art, in addition to their own, telling and listening to stories.
Just as we enter, we are overshadowed, to our right, by the impeccable glow of a Ferrari 430 Scuderia and, “resting” beside it, a Ferrari California, which also appears to have left the factory assembly line in Maranello a half-dozen minutes earlier. A few meters to the side we have an aggressive Audi R8 with GT3 competition package in the distinguished company of a Maserati Coupé, a Mercedes-AMG GT, a Mercedes 600 Pullman and, for the American continent to be represented, a pair of Corvettes, one classic, one modern.
The second First Carlounge
The second First Carlounge hotel in Emmen (near Lucerne) could hardly be more spectacular, starting with the setting where it is set up and the magnificent view it affords, even the architecture of the building, with the air of a very modern aircraft hangar. Modern… and safe, because that's when we look at the gates and strict security measures that allow customers to be totally reassured about these valuable assets of theirs, even when they sleep hundreds of miles away.
First Carlounge in Emmen. Aerial view.
"I used the basis of security systems and locks that are used in the safest banks in the world so that it was possible to ensure the highest levels of security"
Explains Gattiker during our exclusive visit and as we “review” a row of historic models, one of which is his favourite: the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing in Bavarian Blue, parked in front of a racing BMW M1. and a red Lamborghini Aventador alongside a historic Miura.
This building was created by Heinz Isler, the German engineer who gained fame for designing pillarless, self-supporting structures, totally suitable for these exceptional car garages. All parking spaces have natural light and are a minimum of 5.4 m long by 2.9 m wide , then there are four VIP areas (even more VIP) for customers who do not wish to have their collection pieces mixed with others (there are two VIP areas with 80 m2 each and another two with 102 m2).
At the two hotels, everything is very similar in the way the supersports share space with legends from the history of the automobile in spacious and bright parking areas, always immaculately clean and each with its own electrical outlet and air conditioning outlets close by. Essential for these classic cars to maintain and increase their market value.
There is also a "lounge" area, next to the indoor parking, where you can relax with friends or family, enjoy the bookstore, admire the cars from a distance or discuss your next participation in the classic Mille Miglia race, which is where some of these vehicles collections have their annual output.
The more modern tend to travel more frequently, taking advantage of the two hotels' excellent location: close to major cities and close to motorway access, but also short distances from zigzag roads and with little traffic, ideal for a short walk or for exorcising demons or other tensions built up in everyday life.
Capacity (almost) sold out
The First Carlounge on Lake Zurich was the first to open its doors in autumn 2012, and the 100 available parking spaces were quickly filled, a situation that was repeated in Emmen's second hotel, which opened in 2016. Today, there are very few “ beds” free.
And that should be sold out soon, with the good weather of spring and summer just a few months away, which is when the season for classic and sports cars comes to life, preferring black asphalt to slippery white, which invariably covers the roads in the city. Switzerland from November to February, year after year.
Eclectic: two Maserati accompanied by a Shelby Daytona