Switzerland: News from Lake Geneva Region… Spring 2015 edition

Every spring, fields of wild narcissus bloom and transform the meadows above Montreux and Vevey into what locals call Neige de Mai, the “May snow.” Between 1897 and 1957, the white blossoms were celebrated with the yearly Narcissus Festival, which culminated in a procession of floral floats that signified the end of the traditional high season in Montreux. From May 2 to June 7, that tradition will be revived when the Fête des Narcisses is held once again in the Montreux Riviera after a 58 year pause. The highlight will be on May 30, when a floral float parade moves through the streets of Montreux, evoking the festival’s golden years. There will be marked mountain trails through the blooming fields, set against a dramatic backdrop of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The history of the festival, which began in the Belle Époque, will be honored by exhibitions in Montreux, La Tour-de-Peilz and Vevey. A folkloric market in Vevey will offer traditional wares associated with the festival, and the finale will be a gala evening and the election of the “Narcissus Queen” in Montreux.

The Hotel Royal Savoy Reopens in Lausanne

Lausanne is a city renowned for its five-star palace hotels and this summer, it will welcome the glorious reopening of one of its grand dames. After a dramatic refurbishment, the legendary Hotel Royal Savoy in the heart of the city will reopen as a five-star property. When it debuted in 1906, the palatial Art Nouveau hotel quickly became a favorite of royals from around the world. Located midway between the Lausanne train station and the shores of Lake Geneva, the hotel has undergone a more than $100 million renovation. The grand façade has been maintained but inside there are dramatic modern interiors, thanks to the award-winning Maria Vafiadis of MKV Design in London. The Royal Savoy will have 196 rooms, including 37 suites and junior suites, and one dedicated suite on a private floor. Ninety five of the rooms will be housed in the hotel’s new wing. The Royal Savoy will also unveil a new spa and fitness center that includes an indoor/outdoor pool. The hotel will have multiple dining choices, from a 120 seat main restaurant to a terrace accommodating up to 100 guests and a 60 seat lobby lounge. The spectacular new Sky Terrace on the roof will have 60 seats and a dramatic 360° panoramic view over the city of Lausanne, Lake Geneva and the Alps. The Royal Savoy, which is one of three properties of the Burgenstock Selection and is owned by Qatar-based Katara Hospitality, will reopen in the summer of 2015.

The Aquatis Hotel is new three-star property that opened at the end of March and anchors the new Aquatis Swiss Aquarium and Water Museum, which will open in 2016. The hotel has 143 rooms, two restaurants with terraces that provide seating for more than 700 people, conference rooms for more than 600 participants as well as a spa and fitness center. The Aquatis is situated close to Lausanne and has striking views of the Alps, Lake Geneva and the rooftops of Lausanne.

100th Anniversary of IOC in Lausanne

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded in 1894 in Paris but in 1915, it moved its headquarters to the waterfront of Lausanne, the capital of the canton of Vaud. From March 25 to June 28, 2015, a number of events are being organised by the IOC to celebrate its centennial ties to the “Olympic Capital.” There will be an exhibition at the Olympic Museum’s gallery and on the weekend of June 27-28, there will be a joint celebration with the city of Lausanne that will include a public road race.

Montreux Riviera Honors its Celebrities

The famous creative residents of the Montreux Riviera are legion, from Freddie Mercury and Charlie Chaplin to Ernest Hemingway and Lord Byron. To mark the presence of the musicians, writers and actors who took up residence in the region, Montreux-Vevey Tourism has launched a new mobile app called “Sur les traces de nos hôtes célèbres” (“On the Tracks of our Famous Guests”). Using location settings, the route can be followed on foot or on an electric bike, which can be rented. There is also an audio accompaniment available in English.