Grand Hotel du Lac Vevey – your personal castle on the lake

Five stars and a big fork

I went to Grand Hotel du Lac last weekend, after the Christmas holidays, to have a relaxing break in one of the 39 beautiful, five-stars hotels that are part of Swiss Deluxe Hotels. I don’t know the French part of Switzerland that well, and this place had been in my list for a long time – I had seen the gorgeous view and decor, and I confess that I was also simply curious about “the Fork”, a big statue in the lake that is  part of the Alimentarium, a Vevey-based museum with a permanent exhibition on food and Nestlé’s history (Nestlé HQ is just around the corner).

The fork was initially created in 1995 by the Swiss artist Jean-Pierre Zaugg to mark the Alimentarium’s tenth anniversary. It was removed in 1996 but reinstated about a decade later, following a public petition. Since 2014 Fork of Vevey is a Guinness World Record holder as the world’s tallest fork.

The real boutique hotel

As soon as you park at the hotel private parking, you have the feeling this is the typical boutique hotel. It looks like a castle, but small and cozy. Service is very attentive, but friendly and not stiff at all. The spa will inspire you for your next bathroom decor, but it’s nothing huge or intimidating. Breakfast is close to perfection, with creamy cappuccino, healthy smoothies, a great eggs menu and fabulous breads and fruits. A bar, ballroom, veranda and oriental lounge on the ground floor  look delightful.

Our bedroom had a lake view and, even though the day was very grey, it opened our hearts. All in all, a romantic and cozy place even if so luxurious.