I saw a number of positive posts about this hotel. One of my tour guides describes it as pleasant if you are traveling by car. Anybody stayed here using rail? I'm wondering how convenient it is to go up and down. I think it is described on the hotel website as being a 25 minute walk to the lake.

Also, does the hotel have a terrace to sit on and view the lake?

How is the food?

Thanks for your help.

Hi stillhouse,

The Masson is about a 20-minute walk into town -- Montreux. It's only a few blocks to the lake, so I can't imagine that it would take more than 5 minutes to get there.

There's convenient bus service to the train station, or of course you can take a taxi. After you arrive and dump the luggage, the walk into town along the lake is really a pleasure!

Here's another thread discussing the Masson's location:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34506381

The hotel's website says it has a romantic garden facing the lake -- under "relax" then "le jardin."

The thread I gave you also comments on the food -- I think one poster liked it and one did not.

Have a great trip!

s

We arrive at Geneva airport at 12:30 on a Saturday and will stay in the Montreux/Vevey area for two nights. During this time, I thought we walk around Montreux/Vevey, visit the Castle de Chillon, take a train to Gruyere (cheese museum, castle, lunch), Berne (perhaps 1/2 day) and possible visit Murten if there is time.

Given that we want to go back and forth by train, would we be better off staying in Vevey (perhaps Hotel Negociants)? Views from Hotel Masson look very enticing.

With wanting to do all those extra activities and side trips in only two days time, I think it would be much more convenient staying within walking distance of a train station, either in Vevey or Montreux.

Don't worry there are glorious views EVERYwhere in those two towns, can't miss 'em! If your hotel doesn't have a terrace <to sit on and view the lake> simply walk down to the quai (promonade) and grab a park bench or have a bite to eat in a cafe overlooking it.

Hi stillhouse,

Can't really comment on hotels -- the Negociants has received good reviews here, including one from a friend of mine, and of course Vevey is just a charmng place!

But I did want to suggest that you spend an hour or two in the vineyards of the Lavaux between Lausanne & Vevey. To get there, take the train from Vevey to Chexbres and then walk downhill to the village of Rivaz. Have a snack at the Auberge du Rivaz and round out the day by taking the ferry back to Vevey. It's lovely territory in late summer & fall (I forget when you'll be there).

Here's a link to the walks of the Lavaux: http://www.lavaux.ch/sentier2.htm

s

Swandav-

I'll be in the area May 21-23. Sill a good time to visit Lavaux?

Hi stillhouse,

Well it might be a bit early. I was in Montreux in May 04, and the Lavaux looked pretty dry. However, since there has been a lot of snow/rain/precip this winter, the land might be more green. Just take a look around as you arrive -- if it's green, try to spend some time in the Lavaux.

s

Sorry, hit "reply" too soon.

The train from the Geneva airport will run along the vineyards. You'll have the lake on one side and the vineyards climbing up the hills on the other side (a bit of paradise, that!). So, if those vineyards look inviting on the way in, you might be tempted to spend a day there.

s

Hi, If you run out of places to explore (fat chance), you might enjoy a stroll through very tiny St. Saphorin. It's at the lakeside between Rivaz and Vevey. I think it's best approached via the lavaux vineyard walk. Another picturesque destination is French Yvoire, which you can reach by lakeboat via Nyon. J.