H Stories

At the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, head sommelier Salvatore Salerno sometimes swaps his job in the relaxed, Michelin-starred restaurant Il Lago for the passenger seat of a helicopter. Guests of the iconic luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva, which opened its doors back in 1834, can visit some of the most beautiful Swiss wine-growing regions from the air with Salerno – followed by a tasting on site, of course.

Mummy, is that lady in a bathrobe and towel turban the mother of the richest man in the world? One of my daughters asked me that while we more or less tiptoed into the Grand Hôtel du Lac Spa, trying not to be too obvious with our espionage.

Founded in 1834, the iconic Hotel des Bergues was Switzerland’s first palace and Geneva’s very first hotel. A weighty landmark in its own right, it is considered by many as the number one address in town among the many upscale waterfront hotels that host Geneva’s well-to-do visitors flocking in from all four corners of the planet.

It would be a bit of a stretch, considering I can hardly breathe in an underwired bra – but nonetheless, I can’t help picturing myself swanning daintily through the extra-wide, historic halls of Montreux’ legendary Le Fairmont Palace in my hooped skirts. But I’ll be damned if I let my old-timey daydreams get in the way of three days of proper pampering on the shores of beautiful Lake Geneva.

A hidden gem nestled along the sparkling shores of Lake Geneva, where culture, nature, and history intertwine. Wander through its charming streets, experience its rich arts scene, and savour the finest Swiss cuisine, all while basking in the breathtaking vistas of the Alps.

5 questions to Robert P. Herr, General Manager, Beau-Rivage Geneva.

Let’s saunter around the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, drink wine from this sun-soaked region, visit Freddie Mercury in Montreux, explore the boutiques, cafés, museums and parks of lively Lausanne, and relax in the finest spas and hotel suites Lake Geneva has to offer. Summer comes easy around here.

Champagne for the aperitif, Pinot Blanc with fish, Brunello with lamb … alcoholic beverages can be the perfect accompaniment to gourmet fare. Ideally, the right pairing enhances the flavours of the food. But what if you want to enjoy a nice meal without drinking alcohol?

The knife was developed in collaboration with top chefs looking for a Swiss product of the highest quality and perfection. Today, sknife knives and cutlery are set in the world’s best restaurants with over 200 Michelin Stars, in over 20 Swiss Deluxe Hotels and have been awarded with 4 international design prizes.

At the Vinitaly international wine and spirits exhibition in 1992, Reto Vergani from Zurich decided to make a bold move and bulk buy grappa. His father was shocked when he saw the order form. And then he saw that the excise tax was ten times higher than the price of the product!

Chasselas is a light wine with a low alcohol content, making it the perfect apéritif for a warm summer’s day. ‘But it wouldn’t make sense to restrict this wine to a certain time of year. After all, more complex bottles can be enjoyed and savoured at any time of year no matter what the occasion,’ explains Peter Keller, a wine expert from Zurich.

For Sapori Ticino’s founder Dany Stauffacher, great food and wines are not just earthly pleasures but also an education; a combination of culture, creativity and responsibility that brings forward conviviality, shared experiences and knowledge.

‘Winegrowing on the steep vineyards on the edge of the River Moselle is no easy way to earn a living,’ says Daniel Vollenweider.

Whether you are relaxing in the spa, indulging in fondue outdoors, having fun at the Krönchen Kids’ Club or dining in style in the Arven-stube, the whole family will be entertained by everything the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina has to offer.

A man of the mountains through and through, Hans-Jörg Walther is not known for mincing his words. True to form, the General Manager of the Riffelalp Resort says that his hotel is one of a kind. You could say the same about him.

Let’s climb into this time machine and turn the dial back to August 6th 1971. Back to the day of an exciting première. The first-ever Piazza Grande screening at the Locarno Film Festival. Ticino-based architect Livio Vacchini came up with the idea to transform the entire piazza into a open-air cinema. Gazing out onto the square in the centre of the city from his office window, he realised that it would be a fantastic location for the festival.

A helicopter flight around the summit of the Matterhorn is a truly unforgettable experience. For Air Zermatt pilots, making that happen for passengers is all part of the day job. And the other part? Being on call and ready to respond to accidents up in the mountains around the clock.

Falling for Luna: Author Titus Arnu checked into the Tschuggen Grand Hotel with his canine pal and watched a heart-warming winter’s love story unfold before his eyes.