Frommer's Review
One of the most legendary and deeply respected hotels of Switzerland, this beaux-arts, government-rated five-star hotel sits directly beside Lac Léman, surrounded by 4 hectares (10 acres) of lush gardens that include rare cedars, masses of seasonal flowers, neoclassical sculptures, and even a small plot devoted to burial grounds for the pets of the sometimes spectacularly famous guests who stayed here. Built in 1861, and enlarged in 1908, the hotel has been frequently renovated, but always with a sense of respect (reverence, even) for its original architecture. Set downhill from the rest of Lausanne, in the lake-fronting residential neighborhood of Ouchy, the hotel is among the last bastions of formal Europe, attracting la grande bourgeoisie and remnants of the 19th century aristocracy. In the tradition of the grand hotels of the early 20th century, rooms come in a wide range of styles. The least expensive of these are somewhat sparsely furnished and open onto the parking area. The more expensive units have Oriental carpets, a mixture of genuine antiques with convincing reproductions, often in one of the French Louis styles, and private balconies overlooking Lake Geneva. The hotel is air-conditioned thanks to an ingenious system that uses water pumped directly from the nearby lake. In Lausanne, at least, the only real competition this hotel faces comes from the Lausanne Palace Hotel, a turn-of-the-20th-century grande-dame that's almost, but not quite, as posh as the Beau-Rivage. Unlike the Beau-Rivage, the Lausanne Palace has a lot less terrain around it.
The Beau-Rivage Palace's premier restaurant, La Rotonde, is appropriately swanky, and the less expensive Café Beau-Rivage is also recommended.
Facilities:
3 restaurants; 2 bars; 2 pools (1 indoor, 1 outdoor); tennis courts; fitness center; salon; room service; babysitting; laundry service/dry cleaning
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
