Continuation of this itinerary in Switzerland, with the Grand Hôtel Suisse Magestic in Montreux, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.
As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:
Booking
I booked this hotel a few days before my arrival. We had originally planned to stay at the W Verbier for 3 nights, but in view of the complicated weather conditions on the first two days, we opted to modify our booking to optimize this parameter and therefore booked one night before at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic.
So I booked a night for two at the excellent rate of 130 CHF, and used a Suite Night Upgrade to secure a suite overlooking Lake Geneva.
Arrival
The day before my arrival, the SNA is confirmed, and I check in online.
We arrive at the hotel after a long train journey to Geneva, and a drive of just over an hour to Montreux.
Please note: the hotel does not have its own parking lot – you can use the station parking lot opposite, which offers parking for 10 consecutive days at CHF 40 per day.
Check-in was straightforward. The receptionist takes charge of us immediately, thanks me for my loyalty as an Ambassador member and confirms the details of our stay. She also asked me what benefits I wanted: I chose the F&B credit and breakfast.
We are also given passes for all activities in the region, which are totally free for hotel residents in this post-COVID period.
We’ll be taking advantage of this opportunity to take a very pleasant cruise on the lake just after our arrival.
Room
The suite assigned is an Executive Junior Suite, the hotel’s highest category. The latter is located on the 8th and last “useful” floor of the property (the 9th floor is reserved for the fitness center, sauna and steam room).
To the right of the entrance is a large walk-in closet, where you can easily store your suitcase. Even after the COVID, the hotel offers a free minibar for Executive rooms, albeit a basic one: still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola and fruit juices. We’ve made good use of it.
On the right is the bathroom, classic in every way, but with noble materials. We love L’Occitane bath products, supplied in generous quantities.
Then comes the main feature, the Junior Suite itself.
To the right is a desk area, now all too rare in modern hotel rooms. Nothing about doing away with paper or anything else because of COVID. Here, everything is present.
Opposite is the lounge area with its magnificent view, and a small (but reduced) welcome service.
On the right is the king-size bed (a fusion of two twin beds, so moderately comfortable), but above all, the very large balcony and superb view of Lake Geneva. We made good use of this balcony throughout our stay.
To finish, a video tour:
Hotel facilities
The hotel does not have a spa as such.
However, a fitness room is accessible by elevator on the property’s 9th floor. As our room was on the 8th floor and we were close to the staircase, this fitness room had a private side for us that wasn’t unpleasant.
The gym has some motorized equipment, such as a bike and treadmill, as well as free weights (although the training area is quite small).
A sauna and steam room are in full working order and can be accessed directly from the fitness area. However, the view is limited.
Food options
The hotel has a full-service restaurant, 45 Health & Grill. The adjoining bar is also open in the evening, attracting many tourists in search of a cosy atmosphere and an extraordinary view.
Dinner service at 45 Health & Grill
I had booked dinner at the hotel restaurant via TheFork website, not via the hotel concierge.
When we arrive at the restaurant just before 8pm, we are warmly greeted by the host, who, after asking my name, tells me that he has reserved the best table for us because “who says Ambassador says best customer”: Nice spirit!
So we settle in at the best table, or at least the one with the best view!
Service at the restaurant is rather relaxed, with simply laid tables and waiters dressed in casual chic.
We order two glasses of wine to start with, while we explore the menu.
Tonight, we’ll be sharing a beef tartare and a risotto as starters. The tartare was a little small but very fresh, and the risotto delicious.
For the main course, I’d order the pan-fried scallops and my wife the octopus, both excellent, mostly because of the exceptional cooking of these two dishes, which are usually easy to fail.
For dessert, a scoop of sorbet each will do.
The bill isn’t cheap, but we figure we’re financing part of the view.
Breakfast service at 45 Health & Grill
Breakfast is served in the same restaurant from 7am to 10:30am.
The hotel does not offer a buffet, but a continental breakfast tray served at the table, the same for all. No hot options are available, even at extra cost.
By the time we arrive, the restaurant is already full and we’re seated outside, which suits us fine.
A tray is brought to us a few minutes later with some continental options. We’re told we can re-order as much as we like if we’re still hungry.
A few minutes later, a small plate of charcuterie is brought to us.
For coffee, tea and cold drinks, a buffet is available. Note the incredible slowness of the coffee machine, generating queues of over 10 people at times.
Departure
Departure formalities were a breeze, and thanks to the guaranteed late check-out, we were able to enjoy a long morning and a stroll along the shores of Lake Geneva... A real benefit of this loyalty program!
Bottom line
A very nice stay and we’ll be back soon to continue discovering the region!
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