Stay Here: Le Richemond, GenevaBy Angelica Malin
There a few finer things in life than a fluffy bathroom, lake-side views and 5* room service. Luckily, Le Richemond, part of the Dorchester Collection, has all of these things and more. A hotel with a serious eye for service, class and style, it’s one of our favourite places to stay in Geneva – here’s what to expect:
This is a gem of a hotel. Set on the banks of Lake Geneva, a stone’s throw from the famous Jet d’Eau, Le Richemond is an iconic hotel in the city for good reason. Since opening in 1875, Le Richemond has welcomed a wide range of distinguished guests, including Hollywood stars, artists, politicians, authors and ambassadors. We don’t like to name drop, but the hotel has hosted the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Rita Hayworth and Sophia Loren to name a few – so you’ll be in good company. Grand in scale, but, still, somehow, feeling boutique, Le Richemond features 109 beautiful rooms including 22 sumptuous suites featuring a lake or courtyard view. We love.
There’s rooms to suit all; from the high-end Royal Armleder Suite, coming in at CHF 11,215 per night, to the Executive Lake View Room, at CHF 705. With slick marble bathrooms, deluxe comforts, and an expert concierge service on offer, every luxury has been taken care of in this hotel. We loved the Executive Lake View Room with king-size or twin beds, en-suite marble bathroom and beautiful views of Geneva. If you’re willing to splash the cash, the Premium Lake View Room boasts it’s own lake view and balcony, which is perfect in the summer months for enjoying a room service breakfast al fresco. With fresh orange juice, fresh lake-side air and freshly-made omelettes, what more could you want.
The Presidential Suite is truly one of a kind, with one large bedroom, a dining area, lake views and a bottle of Krug champagne of arrival, it’s the most luxurious experience you could imagine. With complimentary return transfers to the airport, you’ll be guaranteed an easy, relaxing trip.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll be in heaven at Le Richemond. Le Jardin is their main dining spot – nestled between Brunswick Gardens and Lake Geneva, the restaurant is all about using the best local produce. Listed in the prestigious Gault & Millau guide, Le Jardin specialises in exquisite simple cuisine, served in a stylish setting.
Their Swiss chef Philippe Bourrel focuses on seasonal, local ingredients to create culinary magic; dine from the Winter Menu, which features delights such as local Swiss salad, perch from the lake and perfectly-cooked salmon with garden vegetables. Of course, they’ve got amazing wine too – their sommelier has created a wine list using the richness and quality of vineyards near Geneva.
If you want to taste the best of the restaurant, sample the Menu du Jardin on Monday through Friday, with a three-course meal served within an hour. Dreamy. And if you’re looking for something more casual, at Le Lounge and Le Bar, there’s a selection of light meals, snacks and bar bites on offer, along with some delicious cocktail concoctions. In the evening, visit Le Bar for their epic champagne, martini and wine list in the trendy art deco setting.
When in Geneva, it would be a shame not to take some downtime. Le Richemond has a lovely spa, which is the perfect place for relaxing in the city. The spa works with acclaimed French skincare experts Sisley to create their treatments, and there’s everything from pampering facials to deep-tissue massages on offer. What’s more, their lovely face and body treatments are based on aromacology – the science of relaxing body and mind through the use of fragrance.
The spa’s facilities are small but perfectly formed. There’s a great sauna and steam room for relaxing, and you can then settle into one of their reclining chairs, surrounded by soothing chromotherapy lights, with a cup of tea to de-stress. If you’re looking for something more active, the hotel also boasts a fitness studio and offers one-on-one personal training. But you’ll find us in the sauna, to be honest.
We loved everything about this hotel. Le Richemond is a showpiece hotel, beautifully located by the clear blue sparkle of the lake, with a view that you just simply want to wake up to. The hotel is elegant, without seemingly pretentious or stuffy, and has a really refreshing and authentic focus on local produce in their stunning restaurant. From the 5* service to the slick marble bathrooms, everything about this hotel speaks class and elegance. Take our word for it: just go.
Words by Nat Abramov. Le Richemond is at Rue Adhémar-Fabri 8-10, 1201 Genève, Switzerland