Grand Hotel du Lac Vevey

If you look at the Grand Hôtel du Lac and see a spectacularly well-preserved 1868-vintage example of the classic Swiss lakeside grand hotel, well, you’re mostly right. As a matter of fact, longtime patrons of this Vevey favorite will recognize that it’s in what might be the best shape of its life — which is high praise for Pierre-Yves Rochon, the Parisian designer who presided over its extensive renovation. Today it’s a classic luxury hotel with just enough contemporary visual interest to still feel fresh — and of course the timeless views of Lake Geneva and the French Alps beyond its southern shores are nothing short of awe-inspiring.

It’s a smallish hotel, as these things go, a mere fifty rooms and suites, all of them decorated in a lush classic style with a calmingly contemporary focus to the graphics and palette. Nespresso machines and Guerlain bath products set the tone, and no comfort is spared; Superiors and Junior Suites add balconies, which are arguably essential to the experience.

As is customary in Swiss grand hotels, the Grand Hôtel du Lac features a spa that’s nothing short of extravagant. Meanwhile Les Saisons is the Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant; beyond that is a cocktail bar, a wine-tasting room in the cellar, a seasonal lounge and restaurant overlooking the marina, and Buddha-Bar Beach, a summertime poolside pop-up by the legendary nightlife brand.