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Editor’s Review – Movenpick Hotel Lausanne

Situated next to the beautiful Lake Geneva on the Swiss/French border, the Movenpick Hotel Lausanne offers stunning views, convenient location, at just 45 minutes from Lausanne Airport and 2 km from the motorway, and relaxing amenities to visitors, whether on holiday or business.

The Green Globe certified hotel is made up of 337 non-smoking rooms, 2 restaurants, a bar and 18 conference rooms. The bedrooms vary between classic rooms up to the 80sqm deluxe suite with lake views, spread over two floors. There is also a wellness centre in the hotel, where you can make use of the state-of-the art gym or unwind in the modern sauna area.

On arrival into the hotel, we entered into the large well-lit reception area. With marbled floors, LED lighting and plenty of contemporary seating and furniture, the initial feel is modern and welcoming. The reception staff continues the warm welcome, they make the check-in extremely smooth and furnish us with all the relevant information we would require during our stay. An added bonus was the issue of complimentary tickets for use on the public transport system.

We were shown to our room, a Deluxe suite with Lake views which also included the spectacular backdrop of the French Alps rising above the Lake. The air-conditioned room had a comfortable King-size bed, seating area with sofa and coffee table and a work area with table lamp. Additional amenities included tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen tv, complimentary internet connectivity, a well-stocked minibar and in-room safe.

After settling in and going for a brief walk along the banks of the Lake, we returned to have a meal in one of the two restaurants. Les Saisons is a more secluded restaurant, which has a small yet luxurious seasonal menu, structured around 5 choices per course, which changes every month.  The Movenpick Restaurant is the larger one of the two and specialises in Brasserie-style cuisine. We sit in the main part of the restaurant, with a rather impressive multi-coloured life-size cow statue casting its eye over the clientele, although there are outdoor terraces where you can eat and drink and watch the world pass by.

For starter there was a fine selection of salads and beef dishes. We had Caprese salad, made with soft buffalo mozzarella and fresh juicy tomatoes, and Green Pea Soup, which was a stunning colour, and the addition of cream and mint added an extra level to the flavour. Main course was a difficult choice due to the variety on offer. There were steaks, fish and chips, meat and fish stews, we went with a Gruyere cheese burger fully loaded with lettuce, tomato, gherkins, onion, bacon and egg – wonderfully cooked to medium rare, and the veal curry, which had the perfect balance of spices.

Whilst our appetites were well catered for by this time, we still needed to make room for dessert. The selection was varied and mouth-watering – apple strudel, chocolate fondant, crème brulee and various fruit tart all served with Movenpicks own brand ice cream, although it was the glorious double chocolate ingot and the raspberry tiramisu, which was a nice twist on a traditional dessert.

After a relaxing night’s sleep, it was back to the restaurant for breakfast. There was fresh fruit, juices, cheeses, cold meats and fish as well as a large selection of pastries, cakes and biscuits. This in itself was an impressive choice; however, there was a hot buffet as well. So, no matter what you want to kick-start the day, you will find something to satisfy.

The Hotel is a perfect hub for both tourists – we enjoyed a short walk to the Olympic museum and drive to Montreux and Chillon Castle, and commercial visitors – the renowned IMD Business School is a stone’s throw away. The stunning views, beautiful food and helpful attentive staff, make Movenpick Hotel Lausanne a credit to the brand name and the planned renovation of 80 rooms will only enhance that reputation.