Region du Leman
Located in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland, the Lake Geneva Region is an enduring, picture-postcard destination of classic mountain beauty, refined cuisine and legendary hotels. The region is seemingly timeless, with lakeside promenades, steamships and five star Belle Époque-era hotels. Visitors come for wine tastings in the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. They visit the Vallée de Joux, the center of Swiss watchmaking, and head for the ski slopes of Villars and Les Diablerets. They're drawn by the Montreux Jazz Festival in July and the annual Festival de Ballons in Château‐d’Oex, the world capital of ballooning. Yet, the area has a dynamic, innovative side as well.
In 2013, new and refurbished hotels are in the spotlight.
The Hotel Lavaux is a mid-century modern gem designed in 1964 by the renowned architect Alberto Sartoris. Set in the lakeside wine village of Cully, in the heart of the Lavaux UNESCO vineyards, the Hotel Lavaux has been completely refurbished. The four-star property has 58 rooms and six furnished apartments, all done in a minimalist style, many with extraordinary views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The hotel also has a restaurant with a panoramic terrace and a wine tavern, and two conference rooms.
La Maison d'Igor is a new boutique hotel, located in the house where composer Igor Stravinsky lived in the lakeside town of Morges. The property is surrounded by lush gardens and offers an acclaimed restaurant as well as eight rooms, which have retained their period charm and have been decorated with a mix of contemporary and classic furnishings.
The Agora Swiss Night, a new four-star design hotel from Fassbind Hotels, is located just 300 meters from the Lausanne train station. The hotel, which has 82 rooms, free Wifi and large LCD TV screens, features a breakfast room on the top floor with panoramic view of the Alps, Lake Geneva and the Jura Mountains. With, the property is aimed at both leisure and business travelers.
Le Baron Tavernier , located in the heart of the Lavaux vineyards in Chexbres, has one of the region’s most intoxicating views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. In early 2013, they will unveil their spa Valmont, located in a new building that will also include eight new luxury rooms and one suite.
Hôtel des Inventions is a new hotel in the building that was formerly the Park Hotel in Ecublens. Set to open in early 2013, each of its 46 rooms and four suites will highlight a different Swiss invention, from bircher müesli and Ricola toffees to the bathyscaphe of Auguste Piccard. This three-star property is a member of the Hôtels et Patrimoine group.
The Lake Geneva Region recently won three awards from the prestigious Gault Millau guide, further enhancing its reputation as the Swiss Capital of Gastronomy. Benoît Violier’ of Hotel de Ville in Crissier was named “Chef of the Year” just six months after becoming the new Chef Patron of the restaurant, taking over from the legendary Philippe Rochat. Chef David Tarnowski of Le Montagne in Chardonne won Gault Millau’s “Award for Rising Chef in French Part of Switzerland” while Georges Lelièvre of Auberge de l'Union in Arzier was given the “Discovery Award in French Part of Switzerland.”
The Lake Geneva Region is now part of the fifth largest ski area in all of Europe, thanks to the Super Pass Gstaad Alpes Vaudoises. The pass provides access to 420 kilometers of slopes served by 116 lifts, covering three different regions in both French and German-speaking Switzerland. From Gstaad, skiers can explore the Berner Oberland, to Saanenmöser and Zweisimmen. In the Lake Geneva Region, they can access Rougemont and Leysin, as well as Glacier 3000, Villars and Les Diablerets. The Super Pass is good through May 5, 2013.
In 2013, new and refurbished hotels are in the spotlight.
The Hotel Lavaux is a mid-century modern gem designed in 1964 by the renowned architect Alberto Sartoris. Set in the lakeside wine village of Cully, in the heart of the Lavaux UNESCO vineyards, the Hotel Lavaux has been completely refurbished. The four-star property has 58 rooms and six furnished apartments, all done in a minimalist style, many with extraordinary views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The hotel also has a restaurant with a panoramic terrace and a wine tavern, and two conference rooms.
La Maison d'Igor is a new boutique hotel, located in the house where composer Igor Stravinsky lived in the lakeside town of Morges. The property is surrounded by lush gardens and offers an acclaimed restaurant as well as eight rooms, which have retained their period charm and have been decorated with a mix of contemporary and classic furnishings.
The Agora Swiss Night, a new four-star design hotel from Fassbind Hotels, is located just 300 meters from the Lausanne train station. The hotel, which has 82 rooms, free Wifi and large LCD TV screens, features a breakfast room on the top floor with panoramic view of the Alps, Lake Geneva and the Jura Mountains. With, the property is aimed at both leisure and business travelers.
Le Baron Tavernier , located in the heart of the Lavaux vineyards in Chexbres, has one of the region’s most intoxicating views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. In early 2013, they will unveil their spa Valmont, located in a new building that will also include eight new luxury rooms and one suite.
Hôtel des Inventions is a new hotel in the building that was formerly the Park Hotel in Ecublens. Set to open in early 2013, each of its 46 rooms and four suites will highlight a different Swiss invention, from bircher müesli and Ricola toffees to the bathyscaphe of Auguste Piccard. This three-star property is a member of the Hôtels et Patrimoine group.
The Lake Geneva Region recently won three awards from the prestigious Gault Millau guide, further enhancing its reputation as the Swiss Capital of Gastronomy. Benoît Violier’ of Hotel de Ville in Crissier was named “Chef of the Year” just six months after becoming the new Chef Patron of the restaurant, taking over from the legendary Philippe Rochat. Chef David Tarnowski of Le Montagne in Chardonne won Gault Millau’s “Award for Rising Chef in French Part of Switzerland” while Georges Lelièvre of Auberge de l'Union in Arzier was given the “Discovery Award in French Part of Switzerland.”
The Lake Geneva Region is now part of the fifth largest ski area in all of Europe, thanks to the Super Pass Gstaad Alpes Vaudoises. The pass provides access to 420 kilometers of slopes served by 116 lifts, covering three different regions in both French and German-speaking Switzerland. From Gstaad, skiers can explore the Berner Oberland, to Saanenmöser and Zweisimmen. In the Lake Geneva Region, they can access Rougemont and Leysin, as well as Glacier 3000, Villars and Les Diablerets. The Super Pass is good through May 5, 2013.
