Beau-Rivage Palace
The Beau-Rivage Palace is every inch a grande dame, reigning supreme over all other hotels in the Lake Geneva region. The stately neoclassical property sits pretty on 10 manicured lakeside acres and enjoys what are perhaps the area's best views of the Alps. For us it is for example of importance that it was here where the family of Charlie Chaplin landed after they had chosen Switzerland. From the Beau Rivage they moved to the Manoir de Ban, a large property in Corsier, north of Vevey, with orchards and a large terrace with magnificent trees framing the view of the mountains and the lake in the distance.
While old world features come standard in Switzerland, of course, here the expected wall murals, stained glass and brocade fabrics are truly grand. Still, the hotel isn't caught up in the past: ongoing renovations brought Wi-Fi and other modern twists, as well as a sleek top-ranked spa.