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.
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!
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!
Words Beatrice Lessi
Related Stories
Thousands of tiny golden leaves and dots are shining in the sun. I notice them even before I see the famous yellow stores above the balconies upon arriving at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace.
Discover more
Shall we call it the crème de la crème, or does the spa world deserve its own seal of excellence? There are various reasons I hadn’t yet made it to the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, with its breathtaking views and beautiful spa. But this only proved that good things are worth the wait, and that sometimes, reality exceeds expectations.
Discover more
A museum for the ears, trekking with llamas, saunas on Lake Zurich, world-class design and, of course, plenty of culinary highlights: discover four popular Swiss destinations from a different perspective with the travel guide from our food author Alexander Kühn - and enjoy the comfort of five Swiss deluxe hotels!
Discover more
The unthinkable happened: my favourite Thai restaurant in Zurich closed down. Actually, it was just a humble Thai shop/takeaway cooking a most yummy lunch. Communal tables, colourful cushions, exotic fruit and silly crackers lying around, a big altar praising His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, you know.
Discover more
I grew up playing tag with my sister on the back seat of our Chevrolet station wagon without even knowing where the seat belts might be located, drank warm water out of our plastic hose outside and did what any other self-respecting child born in the early 1970s did: I followed my parent’s rules – and lied to them easily when I didn’t: Classic Generation X, right?
Discover more
There’s a reason the term Presidential Suite carries such weight in the world of luxury travel. Born out of a necessity to host dignitaries and heads of state in a manner befitting their status, these suites weren’t just about providing space; they embodied the prestige and gravitas associated with their respective occupants. In some ways, they’re not just places to stay—they’re backdrops to diplomacy, cultural exchange, and occasionally, high-stakes negotiations.
Discover more
Crafting Timeless Elegance and a Heritage-Driven approach from Concept to Creation, this passion has become the essence of Iconia Group, a multidisciplinary interior architecture company.
Discover more