We plan to fly to Geneve drive to Leukerbad for 3 days prior to a meeting in Visp for 3 days in May- my question is after reading much of the advice here if we are to spend a total of 3 nites in Geneve where to stay,eat etc or would fodorites suggest we stay instead in Lausanne or Montreaux?

Hi jaxman,

I think your decision will be based on your personal preferences -- do you like a big city with all its shopping, dining, & nighttime options, or do you prefer a smaller town with a slower pace and don't mind the few options?

Personally, I prefer Montreux and have stayed there nine times since 1995. In contrast, I've never been to Geneva or Lausanne beyond the train stations.

Montreux is a real resort city with many hotels. You'll see a wide international mix of folks on its lakeside promenade, a feature I adore.

Good luck!

s

We are a mixed group some of us travel to CH alot but others are novice and would probably like to see something and none of us have been to Montreaux-could you suggest a moderate to really nice hotel and maybe a restaurant or two? Also what draws you there all those times?
Thanks so much
SMS

I would suggest:
Vevey
Montreux
Lausanne
Geneva
(in order of my personal preference)

Hi again jaxman,

Unfortunately, what draws me there repeatedly is mostly my personal history -- boarding school, etc. But I also think that the flowered lakeside promenade is beautiful.

Anyway, here is my list of things to do in the area; maybe one or more of them will appeal to you.

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

As for hotels, my favorite hotel in the area is the four-star Victoria, in Glion above Montreux. Another favorite is the 4-star Eden Palace, which has a great position right on the lakeside promenade. A lot of people on this forum really like the Hotel Masson, a 3-star that sits in the suburb of Territet.

My favorite restaurants unfortunately are in the next town, Villenevue. I also like the restaurants in Vevey a lot.

Hope this is helpful!

s

is Vevey worth seeing? I probably didn't make myself clear-we are looking for a stop for 2 nights before flying out of Geneve to home-we would be driving from Visp, so we were looking for a little shopping, relaxing and maybe a good dinner -does this sound like Vevey or Montreaux to anyone?

Hi again,

Yes Vevey is worth seeing -- as are about two dozen villages and towns around the lake, lol!

Let me see if I can describe Vevey for you. As Montreux is a resort town, Vevey is a residential town. There are far fewer hotels, and you'll see locals on bicycles and on foot just going about their daily business at the grocers, at the papeterie, or arguing politics at the cafes. The old town area is by the lake, and it's filled with antiques stores, boutiques, and grocery stores.

Either Montreux or Vevey would fit the bill for you with dining, shopping, & relaxing.

Maybe try to find images of each at google or at www.webshots.com and see which one appeals to you more.

Good luck!

s

Montreux or Vevey would fit what you seek. I suggest either over Lausanne because they are smaller so easier to navigate on foot from the train station.

thanks so much for all the help-we will be utilizing all this good information.
SMS