The Royal Evian, a palace on Lake Geneva

The pitch | Royal Evian, a grand hotel with a breathtaking view

Facing the crystal-clear waters of Lac Léman, the hotel is set in an unspoilt natural environment. Built in honor of King Edward VII of England and inaugurated in 1909, the Royal Evian combines Belle Époque charm with the elegance of contemporary design. The architect of the time, Jean-Albert Hébrard, blends Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, with ceilings decorated by the painter Gustave-Louis Jaulmes and now listed. A complete renovation by François Chatillon, chief architect of historic monuments, and François Champsaur, interior designer, has magnified the heritage elements while adding sublime contemporary touches.

Royal Evian | How is the hotel?

The hotel is now a member of the Leading Hotels of the World collection. It's the ideal destination for those who want to disconnect while enjoying a relaxing landscape and all the benefits of a palace. The resort is renowned for its two golf courses. The first is home to The Amundi Evian Championship, one of the world's five major women's golf tournaments. The second, The Lake Course, offers everyone the chance to play under the same conditions as a major tournament course. The Royal Evian is also popular with music lovers, who enjoy the fabulous concerts at La Grange au Lac.

Wellness offer

All new and beautiful! Completely revamped in 2024 to bring the wellness offering into line with the luxury of the palace, the Royal Evian spa is opening a new chapter in its history. The pride of the teams was palpable when we visited to inaugurate these brand-new facilities. And rightly so. The result is exceptional. Curiously, despite five evian®Spas worldwide, the brand had no flagship in Europe. The 1,700m2 space is divided into two distinct areas. On one side, the aquatic area opens onto a majestic pool undulating beneath a sculpted ceiling, framed by bay windows that let in the light emanating from the lake. Wooden deckchairs, rattan baskets and pretty bouquets of willow catkins lend a bohemian touch to this architecture of curves and light tones. The heated outdoor pool, a kind of XXL Jacuzzi, features an extremely well-designed hydrocontact pool with strategically positioned jets. It's the perfect place to let go and forget the passage of time. Hammam, sauna, cold-water pool and snow cellar complete the experience. Nothing revolutionary, but high-quality materials, fluid circulation and a chic, uncluttered cocooning atmosphere.

In terms of treatments, the Royal Evian spa has returned to its roots with a concept inspired by the water cycle. Me time takes place in an immersive video lounge. Curl up on a sofa and sip a glass of mineral water. Le Brevent, La Dent d'Oche... the thirteen cabins, including a VIP cabin with private hammam and whirlpool bath, are named after Alpine peaks, confirming the local roots of this upmarket concept. The menu is divided into four sections: "Céleste", "Minérale", "Précieuse" and "Vitalisante", evoking the virtues of water. Again, there's nothing avant-garde here: the signature protocols come in a range of body sculpting, facial treatments and scrubs.... but in a comprehensive, coherent offering, embodied by therapists with golden hands who know their stuff (some masseuses have been working here for over twenty years). And above all: an elegant setting that is sure to please local and international clientele seeking rest and relaxation by the lake. Note: children are also pampered with dedicated treatments, in partnership with the Bonpoint brand.

The treatment to try out: Harmonie sublime, a relaxing 60-minute massage, with caressing movements that mimic those of water. 170 €.

Bonus: the pool, sauna and hydrocontact pool are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., which makes all the difference.

Royal Evian | How are the rooms?

Behind its Belle Époque façade, the palace houses 118 beautifully restored rooms and 32 suites spread over six floors. Inside, delicate colors (cream, blue, gray...) and noble materials magnify the Art Deco furnishings. Interior designer François Champsaur has designed the rooms and suites as collector's apartments, displaying original works by contemporary artists, while the 6th floor houses suites only, with breathtaking panoramic views of the lakefront and the Alps. There are three experiential music and golf suites: Esa-Pekka Salonen, David Leadbetter and The Evian Championship, dedicated to the legends of women's golf.

Royal Evian | The gastronomic offer ?

Royal Evian is a paradise for gourmets, who are sure to succumb to chef Patrice Vander's Michelin-starred cuisine. The gourmet restaurant's dishes are inspired by the chef's garden, a 1,500m2 organic vegetable garden with aromatic herbs, tomatoes, forgotten vegetables and red berries. Don't forget to take a look at the magnificent frescoes decorating this exceptional dining room. The palace also boasts two other restaurants, "La Véranda", where you can savour seasonal cuisine under a ceiling designed by Italian painter Marco del Re, and "L'Oliveraie", where you can enjoy lunch by the pool in summer. The bar, with its designer decor, is the perfect place for a tea time or an aperitif with excellent cocktails.

Things to remember?

The hotel is nestled in the heart of 20 hectares of beautifully manicured parkland. The gastronomic offering is varied, with Chef Patrice Vander's Michelin-starred "Les Fresques", two restaurants, La Véranda and L'Oliveraie, and a bar. Guests enjoy an exceptional golf course with two courses, a 1,200m2 spa and quick access to the ski slopes in winter. The Bernex and Thollon les Mémises ski resorts are just a 15-minute drive from the hotel!

Good to know?

The palace has a Kid's Resort, a real vacation club for children aged four months to sixteen years, located in the heart of the hotel grounds, with a supervised heated swimming pool dedicated to children, as well as tennis and archery lessons? Perfect for family holidays.

What makes the difference?

The hotel boasts a 3,000 m² natural, organic vegetable garden using natural seeds of heirloom vegetables and herbs used in the hotel's kitchens. The Royal Evian also produces its own organic honey, thanks to beehives installed in the grounds. Palace but also committed!

5 things we loved about Royal Evian

• The palace offers spectacular panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the peaks of the Alps
• Chef Patrice Vander's top-flight cuisine
• The hotel is decorated with over 1,500 works of contemporary art
• Spa treatments by expert therapists
• The magnificent heated outdoor pool and pool bar, a must in summer and winter alike.

How much does it cost?

From €360 per night.