Hôtel Royal Savoy Lausanne

Hôtel Royal Savoy Review

The Royal Savoy’s history began in the early 20th century, when the hotel was built to accommodate guests arriving from the glamorous Orient Express as it journeyed through Europe. The property was even mentioned by Hemingway in A Farewell to Arms. Today, renovated modern interiors unfold behind the original “Grand Château” façade (which looks particularly dramatic when illuminated at night). The hotel’s 196 rooms and suites are spread across two buildings: the historic Art Nouveau structure and a more contemporary Garden Wing, separated by a leafy inner courtyard and connected via a glass-enclosed walkway.

The main public spaces are found in the historic wing and include a lobby lounge popular among guests and locals for afternoon tea or evening drinks; a cigar lounge; **La Brasserie** restaurant, serving traditional Swiss dishes with a modern twist; and the rooftop **SkyLounge**, commanding panoramic views of the Lausanne cityscape, Lake Geneva and France further beyond. Winter welcomes **The Chalet**, a cozy Alpine cabin pop-up that is open from November through January and serves the traditional Swiss delicacies of fondue and raclette. The newer wing houses the fitness center and spa, encompassing more than 16,000 square feet of ultra-modern interiors, including eight treatment rooms and a neon-lit indoor/outdoor pool.

Rooms feature contemporary décor in a calming palette of gray, navy and cream and are decorated with photographs of the original property. Other local touches include the Olympic-themed artwork in the corridors (Lausanne is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters, and the Olympic Museum is just a ten-minute walk from the hotel). We recommend Premium rooms and above for the most space. The Corner Suite has a sizable sitting area and small kitchenette, while the Executive Suite comes with an additional dining table and larger kitchen space. For travelers seeking an Old World ambience, the Royal Savoy Suite features ornate furnishings trimmed with gold, as well as a spacious bedroom, ten-seat dining room, kitchen and small library.

The Royal Savoy’s central location offers easy access to Lausanne’s main draws: the Lake Geneva waterfront, located about a ten-minute walk from the hotel, and the charming historic center, reached via a short metro ride or a half-hour walk. From the lakefront, it is possible to take a ferry across to Évian, France.