Since Alex and I met, we started going on weekend getaways around Europe to discover cities that we may have visited before but didn’t know them well. When Chloe-Sofia was born, we decided to reorient our weekend getaways and focus on Switzerland. There is something magical and unique about this country that makes you feel like you are safe, protected, surrounded by a pink
© Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne
Lausanne is one of the cities that I love to visit because it’s close to Geneva, climbs up the hill and has a much more relaxed and “cool” atmosphere than Geneva.
A few weeks ago we decided to spend a long weekend in the Royal Savoy Hotel Lausanne located in a stunning historic building in a vibrant district of Ouchy. It was built in 1909 and used to house exiled Spanish aristocrats as well as the young King of Thailand.
Here are some of my hotel’s favorite spots:
Sky Lounge offers a gorgeous view over Lausanne and Lake Geneva. I can’t wait to come over for dinner and drinks on a hot summer evening. While Sky Lounge is opened in summer, in winter the hotel offers another gastronomic pearl- Le Chalet Royal.
Le Chalet Royal was built especially for the winter season. One could enjoy traditional Swiss cheese dishes such as a black truffle fondue, raclette, but also “Chinese fondue,” exquisite wine selection, and signature drinks. My favorite one was “The Grinch”- green, with a sour twist, it didn’t steal my Christmas joy. On the contrary.
Cigar Lounge offers a unique service to cigar aficionados- a first class selection of cigars but also a possibility to rent a drawer for your cigars and have it embossed with your name. By doing so, you can come anytime and enjoy your “guilty pleasure” in a beautiful, cozy surrounding. We are considering offering it to our friend for his birthday (Mr. Braun, you know who I am talking about).
And what about the spa, you may ask. Both inside and outside pools are open throughout the year, and as they are large, you don’t feel cramped when it’s busy. Well, the water was warm! Can anyone enlighten me why all the hotels favor ice-cold pools? We spent several hours in the pool area, Alex tried their signature massage and came back relaxed and ready to take a nap, and as children below 16 years of age are not allowed in the hammam and sauna, I could get some me time as well.
When I compare the Hotel to other five-star establishments in Switzerland that we visited, the Royal Savoy Hotel Lausanne comes as one of those on the top. What makes a real five-star hotel is an attention to detail and the people. The hotel was impeccably clean, with beautiful decor exuding history and tradition with a modern twist. And I liked the staff, who was gracious, hospitable, and kind without being cold or detached. We felt welcomed and comfortable.
I would definitely love to come back to the Royal Savoy Hotel Lausanne for a special occasion again (for our wedding anniversarymaybe?) and get to experience the Sky Lounge in the summer.
