Francis Ford Coppola once said: “If you’re a person who says yes most of the time, you’ll find yourself in the hotel business.” At the 5-star hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne, the very professional staff not only says yes to the client’s request, but also makes you feel very much at ease and welcome.
HOTEL ROYAL SAVOY LAUSANNE
I stayed at the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne in May 2016 and combined it with a superbe treatment at the spa (check out our next travel article) and a cocktail party in Geneva (it only takes 36 minutes by train from Lausanne to Geneva). As an art lover, I immediately liked the exterior and the main lobby of the hotel – the perfect combination of modern architecture and Art Nouveau.
First opened in 1909, the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne attracted the aristocracy and renowned personalities. For a number of years, the Royal Family of Spain thus lived in exile at the Savoy, while the King of Thailand was also a regular guest. Built in the Art Nouveau style, the hotel and its layout were a magnificent display of the finest materials, becoming an essential part of Lausanne’s historical heritage.
(Above) After a 5-year refurbishment programme and a total investment of 100 million Swiss francs, the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne opened its doors again in November 2015. Bought over by the Qatari Barwa Real Estate holding, it was added to Katara Hospitality Group’s portfolio.
(Above) I particularly loved the interior design of the main lobby, especially the mix of modern pieces of furniture and stunning Art Nouveau elements.
(Above) A few people were meeting up with business partners at the Lounge Bar, when I arrived at the hotel. Given the fact that the hotel is only a 10-minute walk away from the train station, it’s the perfect place for business people or friends to meet. Guests can enjoy continental breakfast in the morning or taste a variety of exclusive dishes for lunch or dinner.
(Above) I had breakfast at the elegant Brasserie Royale, which is split into four distinct rooms, and extends to a garden terrace.. I loved the buffet with a vast variety of healthy food: yoghurt muesli, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices in vintage bottles, wholemeal bread rolls, baguette, Swiss cheese, quinoa, feta, olives, potatoes, etc. (check out my Instagram picture https://www.instagram.com/vertigomagazine). The French mushroom omelette I ordered was delicious, too. The dark-haired waiter who served me was very kind and helpful.
(Above) My deluxe room (30 m2) with sea view (number 412) was spacious, cosy and soundproof (I didn’t hear anything around me). I neither watched TV nor listened to music. I just enjoyed the silence. I loved the high quality of the Swiss duvet (I must buy one of these for my bedroom at home). The Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne includes 196 rooms and suites in total, 101 in the historic building and 95 in the Garden Wing.
(Above) The beautifully shaped bathtub invites you to take a relaxing foam bath with products by Hermès.
(Above) Mr. Jean-Michel Berner, Director of Sales & Marketing, kindly gave me a private tour of the hotel. He also showed me the magnificent 120 m2 Royal Savoy Suite, which offers exceptional views on Lausanne and Lake Geneva. The dining room can host up to 10 guests, while service can be done through a separate door from the fully equipped kitchen.
(Above) Gold, blue and brown are the dominating colours chosen by interior designer Maria Katsarou Vafiadis (MKV Design, London) for the living room of the Royal Savoy Suite. I immediately fell in love with the antique office desk, when I saw it.
(Above) The Royal Salon (269 m2) and the Petit Salon (105 m2) offer the adequate venue for all type of special events, from a mere seminar to a chic wedding. The hotel also features a Ballroom Ballroom with a surface of 574 m2 and a hosting capacity of up to 485 guests.
(Above) The highlight of my stay at the Hotel Royal Lausanne: the relaxing afternoon I spent in the Spa (read my next article on this Spa in the TRAVEL section).
In the course of 2016, the Hotel Royal Savoy will open its Sky Lounge on the historic building’s 7th floor. It will offer a 360-degree panorama over the city, the lake and the mountains. The chef will offer creative dishes, influenced by world cuisine, in a chilled and trendy atmosphere.
Discover the world of the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne
http://en.royalsavoy.ch/homepage/
