HOT HOTEL
Royal Savoy Hotel and Spa, Lausanne, Switzerland
How do you make the year’s most marketable season magical again? I’ve discovered the answer is simple: escape!
And what better way to embrace winter than through the historical cities of central Europe. The beau and I have previously explored Germany’s south, such as charming Nuremberg. This winter, our travels take us to Lausanne, the Swiss city that’s home to the International Olympic Committee.
Our home away from home is the Royal Savoy Hotel and Spa, which is a short stroll from Lausanne’s main station, itself an easy 40- minute train ride from Geneva airport.
Designed in the Grand Chateau aesthetic, the Royal Savoy is a dramatic building that stands halfway between the city’s centre and the tranquil waters of Lake Geneva. Dating back to 1909, the hotel was recently closed for six years and lovingly renovated, with many of its original features restored, elegantly blending old and new.
Its 196 rooms and suites are divided between the original building and a new wing that houses a stunning 1,500sq m spa, heated indoor/ outdoor swimming pool, steam rooms, saunas, plunge pools and all the treatments you expect from such luxury. I enjoy a full body massage — a welcome relief from the aches of a day’s walking through the hilly city streets.
The bedrooms boast an impressive degree of space – the protected status of the building meant that the renovation had to respect the original room dimensions that offer spacious bathrooms and sleeping areas. The suites feature kitchen facilities for those looking for an extended stay or who simply want to eat in and make the most of the cosy rooms.
Dining at the hotel is peerless. Michelin- starred chef Marc Haeberlin masterfully creates a range of dishes using regional ingredients that see locals as well as hotel guests flock in. The deer carpaccio and venison are tender beyond belief. We are lucky enough to be here during the first weekend of December — the freshpicked truffles melt in the mouth with an delectable earthy taste.
The Chalet du Royal, a pop- up winter restaurant, offers all the comforts of a Swiss Alp fondue experience in the Royal Savoy’s landscaped gardens.
We end the weekend with a tour of the city, past traditional chocolatiers, and up to the imposing Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne.
We take in the views of the city as we learn about the rich history of Switzerland and its unique form of democracy that has seen the country thrive for hundreds of years in relative peace.
The annual Festival of Lights is in full swing during our visit, with illuminations dotted across the buildings, while the Palais de Rumine features the Cosmos Exhibition, which delves into its impressive archive and takes us on a tour of nature, science and human evolution.
By the time we have to return to the hotel, collect our bags and catch the train back to the airport, we are well and truly ready for the onslaught of winter and feeling fully festive.