Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Delightful Choices

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Delightful Choices

Will be arriving in Geneva for 3 wk Swiss stay. Had hoped to get there around noon, take the steamer to Montreux, spend the night there and explore next day before going to Interlaken (by train) in late afternoon. But now we won't get to Geneva till 6:10 P M. So should we: A go to Montreux as planned, except by train. B Stay in Geneva, take an early train to Montreux, then late afternooner to Interlaken C Take early steamer to Montreux, walk promonade, then to Interlaken, or D Explore Geneva then take afternoon train to Interlaken. Later we will have three days on Lac Leman, based in Celigny. So what say you out there?

Bill, Hmmm. I think I'd go directly to Montreux; if you take the train right from the airport, you'll be there in about 90 minutes. Then you can have dinner and watch the sunset from a smaller, more peaceful resort town (instead of the busier & noisier international city!). Have you checked out the steamer schedules at www.cgn.ch?? You can see that it takes four-five hours to go from Geneva to Montreux this way. In my humble opinion, that's too much of a good thing. I'd opt for a dinner cruise or a shorter hop between Montreux and Rivaz or something like that! If you really want to minimize your hassles, think about sending your large suitcase(s) on to Interlaken by train when you buy your tickets to Montreux - Interlaken. This will cost about 13 chf per bag and will give you lots more freedom for your one-day jaunt at Lake Geneva. Write if you have more questions! s

If there is any way possible, consider working in a dinner at domaine de Chateauvieux in Satigny. Realistically, this might mean spending a night there (much more affordable than comparable places IN Geneva). Best wishes, Rex

Bill, I second Rex' advice. Superb restaurant and the hotel is nice as well. Very convenient to the airport and you will be refreshed for an early morning to Montreux and the, off to Interlaken. IF you decide to do this, make reservations for the restaurant as soon as possible. They have a website at http://www.chateauvieux.ch/. Regardless, have fun! Jan

Thanks s, Rex, and Jan. Will indeed take advice abour shorter boat trip. Tried to online book Domain du Chateauvieux and response was "property not available for on line booking, which could mean anything. If can book, how does one get there from the airport (we're train travelers.)? Thanks to whoever's doing the topping. Identify yourdelf. Bill

Hi Rex and others! I have been reading up on your advice. Thanks for your help to all of us. I tried to book domaine de Chateauvieux in Satigny, but didn't have any luck throught their web site (same problem as above), email (no response), or even phone (the person didn't speak any english). After cehcking their web site, I really wanted to spend our wedding anniversary there. We will be coming from Geneva. Any other romantic recommendations? First time in Switzerland and Geneva will be our first stop on approx June 1st.

did you try fax? Madame clearly can communicate in English.

Bill et al, Just checked the Chateauvieux website, and wow, what a stunning place. They have e-mail, and I've had terrific luck e-mailing hotels, so I'd also e-mail them. Anyway, I checked the Swiss rail website to see how complicated it would be to get there from the airport, and it's pretty quick but requires some changes: You can take the train from the airport to Satigny (about 25 minutes with one change in Geneva main) then take a cab from the Satigny station (I'd guess about 10 more minutes). To get even closer to the hotel, you can take a bus from Satigny to Peney-Dessous, but that's not actually right to the hotel, so you'd still have to take a cab or walk. Easiest choice is to take a cab directly from the airport to the hotel, I'd guess about 20 minutes. I believe the hotel is in the opposite direction from the city of Geneva, so it wouldn't do any good to take the train to Geneva main and then take a cab. If you are successful making reservations, you can then ask the hotel the easiest way to get there too. I would bet they can arrange a car to pick you up. I'd like to re-emphasize the option of sending your larger suitcases onto Interlaken by train and only keeping one small bag apiece for this overnight. Anyway, please let us know how all of this worked out! s

Sorry Babs, On second reading, I see that you have tried to e-mail them. Are you still having no luck? Let us know if you get a reservation! You might try the Hotel Victoria in Glion above Montreux. It's not as romantic a building and as secluded a spot, but the view is stunning and it's a lovely hotel. Website at www.relaixchateaux.fr/victoria. Good luck! s

I sent an e-mail message to Domaine de Chateauvieux and they did respond eventually with a room offer. On the web and on print, the place does look special. To those who have been there: is there a view of the Lake from there? Also what could one expect to pay for dinner there there? While we wish not to be a tight wad, I would hate to blow our fun money all in one night. Bill