By Amy Van
Credit: Tourismus Salzburg GmbH
Forget about musty old castles and intimidating palaces. Here are four luxurious hotels in Europe that are ideal for modern travellers looking for something different. Some of these European castles and palaces offer exquisite dining experiences and others feature sustainability initiatives and wellness programmes to boost your overall wellbeing.
3. Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland
Credit: Beau-Rivage Palace
Situated on the banks of Lake Geneva, Beau-Rivage Palace is only about 10 minutes away from the centre of Lausanne. The hotel’s sprawling garden, splendid terrace, and harbour-side atmosphere form an oasis of calm. Since 1861, Beau-Rivage Palace has received many royal families and famous celebrities. It was recently awarded Hotel of the Year 2023 by Gault et Millau.
The hotel also draws gourmands with its range of dining experiences. Anne-Sophie Pic’s two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant ASP takes pride of place here. Enjoy an exquisite meal of fresh local ingredients like fera fish and crayfish from the lake, paired with a wine list featuring over 3000 wines. The hotel’s cellar brimming with 75,000 bottles is one of the largest in Europe.
Other dining options include Miyako Lausanne, a traditional Japanese restaurant serving sushi and sashimi, as well as Café Beau-Rivage, an elegant brasserie with a terrace overlooking Lake Geneva and the alps. On 1 October, the brasserie celebrates ‘Swisstainable Veggie Day’which offers guests the chance to try a 100 per cent vegetarian menu featuring fresh local products.
The hotel also zeroes in many sustainable initiatives. It boasts beautiful gardens with a variety of plants, herbs, and several beehives. Guests can enjoy homemade honey and garden-fresh herbs in Chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s menu. Since the start of 2022, 100 per cent of the hotel’s electricity comes from renewable hydropower. Guests can also rent electric bikes to discover the city and tackle Lausanne’s hills.
Finally some relaxation, the Cinq Mondes spa offers plush treatment rooms, a Suite de Felicite with hammam and private garden, and an indoor and outdoor pool.
Find out more: Beau-Rivage Palace
