Switch mode

Escapade on the Swiss Riviera

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.

Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 02 IMG 9940 Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 04 IMG 9806 Ecirgb

Was it her? And what had the hotel prepared for us, after hearing that it was my youngest daughter’s 18th birthday? I only had to wait for the weekend to UNFOLD, to find out.

Spa first, then our little surprise: a chocolate course. Milk chocolate, I later found out, was invented in Vevey in 1875, with the aid of Henri Nestlé. The hotel created this unexpected programme to celebrate my youngest daughter’s 18th birthday.

We travelled with the Golden Pass on a Belle Époque train.

We slipped into our white ROBES. Four fruit cocktails waited for us at reception. We had to taste and guess what was inside them. After SAVOURING the fruity aroma, we were told that some ingredients were liquorice and edible gold leaves. Fancy!

Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 07 Ghdl Extérieur Façade Sud 1 Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 03 IMG 9956 Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 10 Facetune 17 07 2021 21 46 44 2 1025X1536 Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 01 Facetune 01 03 2022 22 23 07 Ecirgb

Our selfmade chocolate cake was the star of dinner, and ALL DISHES WERE paired with wine from the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO world heritage site.

A bit of mystery in the oriental lounge, great to enjoy a drink while listening to live piano
music. If you want to have a taste of Grand Hôtel du Lac without spending the night, just sit here, or on its sofas by the lakeside, in the garden. Everybody is welcome and can enjoy its fabulous surroundings, the little harbour and the mountains.

A spectacular breakfast in bed in the Honeymoon Suite. Did we find out about the mother of the richest man in the world? I tried to bribe the staff, but their lips were sealed. What happens in Vevey, girls …stays in Vevey!

Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 05 IMG 9715 Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 06 IMG 0766 Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 08 Facetune 26 02 2022 21 59 00 Ecirgb T160
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2022 Escapade On The Swiss Riviera 09 Facetune 27 02 2022 12 15 47 Ecirgb

Words Beatrice Lessi

Related Stories

The Widder Hotel is a fascinating amalgamation of townhouses from the 15th century spread across nine medieval buildings in the centre of Zurich’s old town. These structures have been skilfully combined to create space for 48 distinctive rooms and one exceptional Penthouse Suite.

Discover more

Zurich is the largest Swiss city – with vineyards. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 400 hectares of vineyards across what is now the city. Today there are still 14 hectares planted with all kinds of varieties. Of course, there used to be many more.

Discover more

I swiftly glance at my watch to be sure. Yes, it has indeed been only 38 minutes since I shut off my laptop at home in Zurich’s Seefeld district, and the moment I find myself in now, checking in with the concierge at the Dolder Grand’s SPA. It’s only early afternoon, but I feel I’ve done enough work for today. Admittedly, this renders my spontaneously booked hometown beauty getaway that tiny bit more decadent. I have brought a book along in the hopes of some peace and quiet, but … would you like to join me instead?

Discover more

Not short of its fair share of bars and cocktail lounges, Zurich boasts a bar for every type of patron. From white glove service to underground grunge and contemporary mixology, we feature ten of our favourite watering holes in the city.

Discover more

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.

Discover more

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.

Discover more

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!

Discover more