Late summer has its own kind of magic. The days soften, the light lingers, and we find ourselves clinging to rituals of warmth before autumn’s briskness sets in. But sometimes, holding onto summer is less about nostalgia and more about proximity. Because paradise, it turns out, is only a 30-minute boat ride away.
The Hotel Royal in Évian isn’t simply a hotel. It’s a parallel universe of sorts, where Belle Époque grandeur and modern ease coexist. Built in the early 20th century to welcome royalty, it still carries that air of understated elegance. You sense it in the frescoed ceilings, the sweeping gardens, and the kind of quiet detail that feels almost impossible to replicate. Lausanne has its own grande dames, of course, but across the lake, this is a different chapter altogether.
For families, the appeal is undeniable. Our children discovered padel for the first time (and were instantly converted). Between the kids’ club, the pools, and endless green lawns, their days filled themselves. The family-friendly welcome is evident in every corner—parents can exhale knowing little ones are as enchanted as they are.
Which left us with the rare luxury of slowing down. I slipped into the spa for a bespoke treatment designed entirely around my needs that day—an experience that felt deeply personal, more like a ritual than a treatment. And it’s worth noting: you don’t have to stay overnight to indulge here. The day spa packages mean you can cross the lake in the morning, spend a few restorative hours, and be back in Lausanne by evening, carrying with you the softness of the experience.
That evening, a rare vintage negroni—barrel-aged for 365 days—was set before us. Its warmth, laced with spice, softened citrus, and a whisper of dark chocolate, mirrored the sunset dropping behind the pines, Lac Léman twinkling all the way to Lausanne just across the water. Cards in hand, glasses in reach, we felt time stretch in a way it only does on holiday.
Yes, the Hotel Royal is luxurious. Five stars, Michelin dining, grandeur in every corner. But what surprised us most wasn’t the opulence, it was the ease. No airports, no hours in the car. Just a short boat ride, and suddenly, you’re in a place where summer still lingers, where water (quite literally, Évian’s most famous gift) is at the heart of everything, and where attention is paid to every last detail.
Sometimes the most indulgent escapes are also the closest. And sometimes, holding onto summer is as simple as stepping onto a trusty CGN boat, and arriving somewhere that feels like another world.
Hôtel Royal Evian Resort
Evian Resort - 960 avenue du Léman, Neuvecelle
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Our stay was graciously hosted by the Hôtel Royal.
