Montreux or Vevey- where to stay
 

My wife and I plan to spend a few nights in either Montreux or Vevey in late July during our trip to Switzerland. Any suggestions on which town? I hear Montreux has a beautiful waterfront and a more international feel. Does anyone know much about Vevey? We are looking at the Grand Hotel du Lac in Vevey and the Fairmont in Montreux.

We will also be visiting Bernese Oberland (staying in Wengen) and Lucerne.

Thanks for any advice!

I've been there, I think it just depends if you want the Montreux resort vibe or not. Vevey just seemed like a regular town to me. I suppose Montreux may be more international because it is more where people go for the resort or travel itinerary, and it is glitzier, more night life, I guess (and more expensive). They have a casino, for example, and if you are a Freddie Mercury fan or not, maybe you have reasons to go there.

Vevey is the headquarters of Nestle and they have an interesting alimentation (food) museum, and a pleasant waterfront and park.

Depends on your interests and what you want, I think. I didn't much like Montreux, thought it was kind of seedy.

Hi epatlovich,

Yes, I agree -- Montreux is more international. There are three or four big hotel schools around Montreux, and the students come from all around the world. In addition, Montreux is a tourist destination for many people, and you'll see a veritible United Nations parade down the lakeside promenade.

In contrast, Vevey is more sedate and more residential in feel. Yes, there are many English-speaking visitors, but they are more likely to be long-term visiors or part-time residents.

I would not choose the Fairmont in Montreux (I've visited Montreux about 15 times since 1995). It sits right on the main, busy street in Montreux, not on the lake. Yes, you'll have views of the lake, but it will be over the street and the hotels and the Stravinski center that sit right on the lake.

If you want a 5-star on the lake, I would go with the Royal Plaza; if you don't mind a 4-star, I would go with the Eden Palace. Both are right on the lake.

If you stay in Vevey, you'll be fine with the GH du Lac.

Both Montreux and Vevey have wonderful lakeside promenades. The one in Montreux has lots of flowers and stretches from Villeneuve (other side of Chillon) to the end of Clarens, about 7 km. The views are best walking from Montreux TO Chillon and Villeneuve as you will be looking at countryside and lake.

The lakeside walk in Vevey also has flowers, but the old stately trees are more noticable. It runs from the edge of La Tour-de-Peilz through Vevey to the Nestle building.

Your hosts will give you a Riviara Card that will make the busses free for you, so it will be very easy to just hop on a bus and move between Monteux & Vevey. Bus #201 runs from Villeneuve to Vevey, and runs every 10 minutes.

Have fun as you plan!

s

If I had to pick between the two I'd pick Vevey. Montreux is a bit dull. It's nice to walk along the water. But I can't even tell you one memorable restaurant or fun thing we did there.

Is there any reason you are limiting yourself to those two?

Personally, I like Lausanne much better than either of those. It's a much more interesting option and they are so very close to each other with good transport links.

You could stay at the Lausanne Palace or the BeauRivage for probably not much more than the two you mention, or the even the Angleterre which is probably less expensive but more contemporary styled.

Thank you very much for all the replies. And thank you for the additional hotel recommendations. I am leaning towards Vevey but I have a feeling my wife would prefer Montreux. Either way we cannot go wrong.

Will you be there during the Montreux Jazz festival?
If you are then I think it would be nice to be in Montreux while it has a bit of atmosphere but it all depends on preference.

I think the waterfront in Vevey is nicer than Montreux and the walk is just lovely along the quai. Both towns are very small so a you will be able to visit both in a couple of days. You can also take a trip to Lausanne which has more to do and is slightly bigger and has the Olympic Museum just along the lake too.

Enjoy.

> has the Olympic Museum just along the lake too

Apparently, the Olympic Museum is closed through the end of 2013:

http://www.olympic.org/museum

Why is she leaning towards Montreux? Maybe we can persuade her otherwise. ;)

If you do want to stay in Montreux, I stayed at the Hotel Suisse Majestic and loved it (didn't love Montreux). http://www.suisse-majestic.com/

I think it is a little more convenient location than the Fairmont, although they are close. It is right across from teh train staiton, for example, which makes it easy for day trips by train or if you arrive or depart that way. Also, the bus that runs along the coast is on the main road on the lake side of it. Yes, the Fairmont is not right on the lake, but I don't see what difference that makes. Nor is the Suisse Majestic. But that is kind of a hill there, so if you get a room higher up, noise from the street and elsewhere isn't an issue. My room was lower because I got some discount deal, and it was still fine in that regard (I think it was the 2nd or 3rd floor which still wasn't the main floor in the hotel due to its being on a hill. My room had a little terrace, it was lovely.

Hi again,

Just chiming in again to give more information -- or why it's important to me to have a view of the lakeside promenade.

To me, the lakeside is the primary draw of Montreux; without it, the town is just a conglomeration of 19th century and modern buildings and a lot of traffic.

And one of my favorite things to do is to watch the parade of folks as they meander down the promenade -- old world matrons in their Chanel suits, groups of Asian tourists, goth teens from eastern Europe, packpackers from Australia, American families, businessmen from France or Germany or Poland . . . they all stroll side by side.

I love to sit on a balcony and enjoy a glass of wine or tea while watching the parade. So -- to me it's an important part of being in Montreux.

Just adding this fyi

s

Following hotel advice on this thread. Any opinions on the Gran du Lac Excelsior?

Swandav2000
Like your last reply on the people watching!