Fairmont Le Montreux Palace

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace

"My seven-year-old daughter cried when we left." Used as a hospital to shelter Allied soldiers during both World Wars, this 1906 Belle Époque hotel on the shore of Lake Geneva, at the foot of the Alps and near Chillon Castle, scores perfectly for location. The yellow canopies over rooms’ balconies give it a distinctive exterior. The 2011 refurbishment of a number of rooms restored original architectural details and added a color palette of prune, lime, and stone. Staff "made us feel like a prince and princess in a dream." La Brasserie specializes in Swiss cuisine. The spa’s Mountain Magic treatment uses avocado oil."

"Building on Montreux’s growing popularity as a tourist destination in the early 1900s, two Swiss hospitality pioneers joined an existing hotel with a newly constructed palace section, creating what was then one of the most cutting-edge hotels around—with such “modern” touches as electricity, heating, and private bathrooms. Officially opened in 1906, Le Montreux Palace went on to host everything from glamorous masquerade balls to the signing of international peace treaties, and everyone from New York tycoons to Indian maharajas. The history lives on in today’s incarnation, which has been under the Fairmont umbrella since 2007. Following several years—and stages—of renovations, the Palace is as majestic as ever, with the 236 rooms and suites all featuring classic décor and balconies showcasing the lake or Alps. The hotel’s location at the edge of Lake Geneva is echoed in the seafood dishes at on-site restaurant MP’s Bar & Grill, where fresh catches (and fine cuts of meat) pair well with top Swiss wines. Additionally, both La Palmeraie and the seasonal La Terrasse du Petit Palais offer flavorful menus backed by spectacular views. Nightlife is big here, particularly at the Montreux Jazz Café and Funky Claude’s Bar, both of which serve casual cuisine, potent cocktails, and a good time. As a partner to the famous Montreux Jazz Festival, Claude’s also hosts live music six days a week, including jam sessions with festival members. Recuperate at the lakeside spa, which has indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, saunas, and a lengthy menu of face and body therapies."

"Building on Montreux’s growing popularity as a tourist destination in the early 1900s, two Swiss hospitality pioneers joined an existing hotel with a newly constructed palace section, creating what was then one of the most cutting-edge hotels around—with such “modern” touches as electricity, heating, and private bathrooms. Officially opened in 1906, Le Montreux Palace went on to host everything from glamorous masquerade balls to the signing of international peace treaties, and everyone from New York tycoons to Indian maharajas. The history lives on in today’s incarnation, which has been under the Fairmont umbrella since 2007. Following several years—and stages—of renovations, the Palace is as majestic as ever, with the 236 rooms and suites all featuring classic décor and balconies showcasing the lake or Alps. The hotel’s location at the edge of Lake Geneva is echoed in the seafood dishes at on-site restaurant MP’s Bar & Grill, where fresh catches (and fine cuts of meat) pair well with top Swiss wines. Additionally, both La Palmeraie and the seasonal La Terrasse du Petit Palais offer flavorful menus backed by spectacular views. Nightlife is big here, particularly at the Montreux Jazz Café and Funky Claude’s Bar, both of which serve casual cuisine, potent cocktails, and a good time. As a partner to the famous Montreux Jazz Festival, Claude’s also hosts live music six days a week, including jam sessions with festival members. Recuperate at the lakeside spa, which has indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, saunas, and a lengthy menu of face and body therapies."

Why Susan Sarandon loves hotels and wants to take the train more - AFAR

"A historic luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva that has overlooked the lake since 1906. The property offers suites with serene lakeside views—guests can watch swans and rowers from their rooms—and projects an iconic, well-run hospitality vibe. It also serves as a backdrop for high-profile brand campaigns and celebrity stays, embodying a spirit of adventure, global thinking and local engagement." - Annie Fitzsimmons

These Luxury Hotels Are Hotspots for Music, Food, and Wellness - AFAR

"Sitting prominently on the shores of Lake Geneva, this grand property has been entwined with the Montreux Jazz Festival since its start in 1967; guests can stay in thoughtfully designed rooms, dine on-site, and enjoy year-round music-themed venues that honor the festival’s founder and musical legacy." - AFAR