Fairmont Le Montreux Palace New Penthouse: When Luxury Meets with History

Switzerland has very high standards in terms of hotels and hospitality in general. It is probably one of the smallest countries in the world with such a number of beautiful palaces to stay while enjoying the Swiss way of life. In Montreux, famous for its location and moreover, for its Jazz Music festival, there is one address you cannot miss: Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. This address connects 156 years of history in the region as all started in 1836. Today, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace presents its new, newly renovated Penthouse suite, located on the 7th floor of the wing adjoining the main building of the palace, formerly known as the Hôtel du Cygne.

Built-in 1836, the Auberge du Cygne was rebuilt in 1864 by the architect Philippe Franel, then bought in 1895 by Alexandre Emery and Ami Chessex who founded the Montreux Palace and Cygne company. In 1906, the architect Eugène Jost built the famous Montreux Palace that we know today and connected it to the Hôtel du Cygne building by the Great Hall.

The New Penthouse, fully renovated!

The renovated Penthouse represents 160 m2 of emotion and history, luxury and elegance. This Suite is the expression of “timeless chic” which combines noble materials and soothing colours with Mediterranean accents. It offers three spacious bedrooms including a master suite with a separate dressing room, a generous living room with fireplace open to a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. From its splendid 12 m2 terrace, the 180 ° view over Leman Lake and the Alps is breathtaking. Worthy of a painting by an artist, it gives the impression of sailing on the azure waves of the lake.

Designed by interior architects Kathrin Matthiesen and Mélanie Bach from Hamburg-based CM Design, the unique style created for the Penthouse Suite is inspired by an old postcard from the historic building. Among the materials used, wood and natural stones occupy an important place, especially for the bathroom, the kitchen and the fireplace. The white, cream and grey tones create harmony with the wooden parquet. Shades of green reminiscent of Lake Geneva are sublimated by floral patterns bringing a touch of freshness which is also found on the flowered terrace. Installed under the eaves, the new Penthouse Suite is a real gem added to the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. The renovations were carried out by Felix Graf GmbH, based in Zenting, Germany.

Fairmont Is A Love Story About Luxury

In 1907, history was made when Fairmont San Francisco, Nob Hill’s grand dame, opened its doors. The iconic hotel soon became the city’s venue of choice for glittering balls, presidential visits and political gatherings, making the name Fairmont synonymous with “place of occasion”. With this auspicious beginning, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand was born.

The distinctive collection of unrivalled hotels under the Fairmont banner reflects a belief in providing world-class service to guests who appreciate unique locations. Today, when you think of a landmark hotel around the world, chances are it’s a Fairmont Hotel. From The Savoy in the heart of London to Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Makkah Clock Royal Tower or Le Montreux Palace, A Fairmont Hotel, the portfolio of properties features the most celebrated addresses

Montreux: Small By Its Size But A Giant Reputation Worldwide

Montreux is a very charming place by the Leman Lake in Switzerland. It offers a great microclimate and access to an amazing region full of natural richness and breathtaking landscapes. 2 people made Montreux famous. The first one was Rousseau, the French politician and philosopher. By the end of the 18th century, he placed the scenery of his novel “La nouvelle Héloise” in Montreux. The second person was Lord Byron. The 19th century rediscovered the joys of being in the mountains. While big important cities were devastated by diseases, lack of hygiene and robbery, people would escape to the mountains in order to discover a healthier environment. The 19th century also represented the birth period for Romanticism in literature, music and arts. Mountains and nature were a great source of inspiration for artists and Lord Byron was one of the leaders of this movement. He wrote a poem called “The Prisoner of Chillon”, with respect to the Chillon Castle close by Montreux.

During the 20th century, Montreux became world-famous due to its International Music Festival. The Montreux Jazz Festival opened on 18 June 1967 and was founded by Claude Nobs, Géo Voumard and René Langel with considerable help from Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun of Atlantic Records. The festival was first held at Montreux Casino. The driving force is the tourism office under the direction of Raymond Jaussi. It lasted for three days and featured almost exclusively jazz artists. The highlights of this era were Charles Lloyd, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Evans, Soft Machine, Weather Report, The Fourth Way, Nina Simone, Jan Garbarek, and Ella Fitzgerald. Originally a pure jazz festival, it opened up in the 1970s and today presents artists of nearly every imaginable music style. Jazz remains an important part of the festival. 

If you are attending to the Montreux Jazz Festival, or just enjoying some great time in Switzerland, The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is a great choice. If you wish to get the best out of staying at this hotel, you definitely need to have a look at the Penthouse.

José Amorim
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