Latest news with #Vaud
The Standard
01-07-2025
- General
- The Standard
China aims to increase its gold resources by 5-10 percent by 2027, industry ministry says
A gold ingot of 1 kg in the treatment center of Canton of Vaud Bank near Lausanne seen in February 2011. Photo by REUTERS
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Forbes
The Pays D'Enhaut Region: Swiss Prealps Within Easy Reach
Built by 11th-century Cluny monks, Saint-Nicolas church is the heart of Rougemont village in the Pays-d'Enhaut region. Credit: Pays-d'Enhaut Region Switzerland's French-speaking Vaud is one of the nation's largest cantons, occupying an enviable stretch of northern and eastern Lake Geneva. But just head on a short jaunt up the mountains and suddenly you are in quintessential pre-alpine villages in the Pays d'Enhaut district that lies in the Vaud Alps at the edge of the formidable Bernese Alps. With the area's very name of Enhaut aptly referring to its heights, it goes without saying that you are in world-class skiing territory; but the Pays d'Enhaut is inviting in any season. Getting here is half the fun on the excellent Swiss railway system's GoldenPass Belle Époque heritage train, especially when you reserve a first class seat in a chalet carriage (you might also book their special chocolate and cheese themed trains). Around half-way as the train twists its way up forested and meadowed terrain, the impressive Dent de Jaman peak jutting up suddenly from a clearing is your first taste of more visual drama to come. Some fifteen rooms at the Pays-d'Enhaut Museum in Château-d'Œx village depict rural life from centuries past, as here in a bedroom whose furniture is decorated in painted scenes. Credit: Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut No worries if you override your stop while busy soaking in the views along the Sarine river and you land up in Saanen village; you've crossed over into the canton of Bern and the German-speaking world. Just jump on a return train for a few minutes back to Rougemont and a world devoid of the larger international crowds that descend upon swanky Gstaad just a few miles up the road. To be sure, the tiny town of Rougemont proper and the larger Pays d'Enhaut area long ago has seen its fair share of enthralled visitors, frequented as it was during the heyday of the famed 18th-19th century British Grand Tour. In recent times, Diana, the future Princess of Wales, spent time here in finishing school. Pride of place in Rougemont belongs to the 11th-century Romanesque Saint-Nicolas church built by monks of the Cluny order, which by mid-16th century had become Protestant under Bernese rule. You might be lucky and come upon a small music group rehearsing for the many concerts held in the tiny columned church. As here in Rougemont, the Pays-d'Enhaut region is known for its large and decoratively detailed chalets. Credit: Pays-d'Enhaut Region A five-minute walk past the church and cemetery yard, and upslope a bit from town, the Hôtel de Rougemont & Spa is the classic ski lodge, with (faux?) fur rugs and rooms covered in warm wood from reclaimed farmhouse timber. Even the elevator is lined with cowhide. The property has rotating art shows in its public spaces. Through the bar/restaurant picture window or sitting on your terrace, jagged and steep Le Rubli limestone peak looms 4,000 feet over the valley, with its Videmanette Piste ski lifts rising straight up the jagged heights. To your back, the Parc de Gruyère ridges stretch into the Fribourg canton. Just sit back and drink your coffee to the tune of tinkling cowbells across the valley. You are at only about 3,000 feet in Rougemont, making for easy hiking up the road for a look at lovely chalet homes and farmhouses (don't check the prices in the local real estate offices). Down below by the Sarine river, sawmills still operate from the area's lumber heyday. If you're super ambitious, there are enough hiking trails all around to take years to complete. The Hôtel de Rougemont will supply you with a booklet outlining some two dozens hikes along ridges, around lakes, and through meadows and woods, including via ferrata climbing routes on Le Rubli. If you're lucky you'll spot lynx, ibex, chamois and golden eagles. For the ultimate in Alpine sightseeing when weather conditions permit, hot air ballooning is a big Pays d'Enhaut draw, particularly around the town of Château-d'Œx. In late January, the Festival International de Ballons is held, while the Espace Ballon is a museum with simulators for those who prefer to remain earth-bound. In the village of Château-d'Œx, Le Chalet fondue restaurant whips up cheese batches before your eyes. Credit: Pays-d'Enhaut Tourisme In the town of Château-d'Œx, the Pays-d'Enhaut Museum occupies four floors of an old house that recreates centuries'-worth of daily local life, with a kitchen and dining room, as well as a drawing room and bedrooms filled with decorative furnishings and traditional costumes. There are working rooms with tools for cheese-making, weaving, black- and lock-smithing, along with hunting rifles and plenty of cowbells in all sizes and with elaborate leather collars. The museum's revolving exhibits include themes like a recent one on Swiss paintings from the mid-19th to the later-20th century. The institution's full name of Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut—Centre Suisse du Papier Découpé reflects its mission of highlighting the highly-developed local historic art of découpage , or paper cut outs. You'll admire the intricate paper cut silhouette work of lumberjacks, shepherds and chalets all over the region, even reproduced on the hot air balloons. You can sign up for lessons as well, though don't expect your work on first try to reach the level of the museum's fine collection, of which several dozen of 600 pieces are on full display. Look especially for the fine work of the local découpage meisters Hans Jakob Hauswirth (1809-1871) and Louis Saugy (1871-1953). The Hôtel de Rougemont is a blend of a traditional warm wood chalet and modern vibes. Credit: Pays d'Enhaut Région As you work up a mountain appetite, there's nothing more filling than fondue. A minute's walk downhill from the train station in Château-d'Œx takes you to the rustic Le Chalet restaurant. You too can try your hand at the milk stirring process over a big wood-fired vat that looks like one out of a Disney fairy tale, in which up to 200 liters of organic milk will produce a 20-kilo piece of hard cheese to mature for some six months. Maybe you hadn't known before lunch that your fondue pot choices can come with pimento, black garlic, mushroom and even beer flavors. If you are the one who takes on the great responsibility of scraping melting cheese out from under the hot raclette lamp to serve to your dining partners, stay on your game. Upstairs, the chalet's gift shop carries all varieties of cheeses and quality goods, such as coffee cups with traditional découpage silhouette scenes. Don't miss the back room's huge Alpine model train that the staff will turn on by request. To the west as you descend back toward Lake Geneva, the village of Rossinière is known for an enormous chalet house that the Modernist painter Balthus (born Balthasar Klossowski de Rola in Paris) inhabited for decades until his 2001 death. At five floors and with a window-rich façade, the aptly named mid-18th-century Grand Chalet was originally a cheese depot and at one time a hotel. The painter's career is highlighted in the nearby Balthus Chapel whose garden holds his tomb. When the GoldenPass Belle Époque heritage train deposits you back in Montreux and you stroll the city's long Lake Geneva promenade, it's hard to believe a mere two hours earlier you were surrounded by the most classic of Alpine scenes.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (VTX:BCVN) shareholders have earned a 11% CAGR over the last three years
One simple way to benefit from the stock market is to buy an index fund. But if you pick the right individual stocks, you could make more than that. For example, the Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (VTX:BCVN) share price is up 19% in the last three years, clearly besting the market return of around 5.8% (not including dividends). Let's take a look at the underlying fundamentals over the longer term, and see if they've been consistent with shareholders returns. Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During three years of share price growth, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise achieved compound earnings per share growth of 5.2% per year. We don't think it is entirely coincidental that the EPS growth is reasonably close to the 6% average annual increase in the share price. This suggests that sentiment and expectations have not changed drastically. Au contraire, the share price change has arguably mimicked the EPS growth. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Banque Cantonale Vaudoise's earnings, revenue and cash flow. It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Banque Cantonale Vaudoise the TSR over the last 3 years was 35%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Investors in Banque Cantonale Vaudoise had a tough year, with a total loss of 0.9% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 3.6%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 4%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. Importantly, we haven't analysed Banque Cantonale Vaudoise's dividend history. This free visual report on its dividends is a must-read if you're thinking of buying. Of course Banque Cantonale Vaudoise may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Swiss exchanges. — Investing narratives with Fair Values A case for TSXV:USA to reach USD $5.00 - $9.00 (CAD $7.30–$12.29) by 2029. By Agricola – Community Contributor Fair Value Estimated: CA$12.29 · 0.9% Overvalued DLocal's Future Growth Fueled by 35% Revenue and Profit Margin Boosts By WynnLevi – Community Contributor Fair Value Estimated: $195.39 · 0.9% Overvalued Historically Cheap, but the Margin of Safety Is Still Thin By Mandelman – Community Contributor Fair Value Estimated: SEK232.58 · 0.1% Overvalued View more featured narratives — Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Forbes
Lake Geneva's Terraced Lavaux Vineyards Gaining Deserved Notice
The terraced vineyards of Lavaux on Lake Geneva are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Credit: Maude Rion If Switzerland hardly jumps to mind as a wine producing nation and the white grape variety Chasselas rings no bell, expect that to change as the stretch of steep Lake Geneva shoreline called Lavaux gains ever more recognition. Between Lausanne and Montreux in the canton of Vaud, Lavaux's south-facing terraced vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Vevey makes an ideal base for exploring this section of the broader area known as the Montreux Riviera. You can dispel with thoughts of only the usual trifecta of Swiss watches, cheese and chocolate as your goal here. Perhaps you already know the small Italian-speaking canton of Ticino as a prime wine growing region. Some 2,000 acres harvested here in Lavaux represent an even tinier fraction of the wine world, but it's all packing an ever great wallop on the enotourism scene. Even without vineyards that go back to Roman times, the views from Lavaux to the Alps on the southern French side of Lake Geneva are spectacular. Switzerland's exceptional train system with its unlimited Swiss Travel Pass makes it a mere hour ride to get here from Geneva and twenty minutes from Lausanne. From the train stop at Grandvaux village, a wander down the slopes toward the lake takes you through the heart of this unique physical and cultural environment. With their stone houses, hamlets dotted throughout the Lavaux terraced landscape look much like they have for centuries. Credit: Maude Rion You would do well in advance to engage the services of UNESCO-certified guide Marc Checkley who has lived in Lavaux for nearly a decade. The New Zealand native with an infectious enthusiasm for the region is adept at walking backward downhill as he explains 15,000 years of geologic time; how a retreat of the Rhône Glacier began creating the deep lake; and, how, like right out of a Hollywood cataclysmic event, the 6th-century Tauredunum mountain collapse triggered a tsunami and caused massive shoreline destruction all the way to Geneva on the lake's southwestern tip. As you walk through hamlets and between 280-miles-worth of high stone walls that monks built a millennia ago to create the terraces, Checkley explains how the walls breath and retain the solar heat that keeps the narrow lanes and vines themselves warm at night. The sun reflecting off the lake adds to the ripening process. To the English ear, domaine sounds like a grand name for what here at Domaine Potterat is, like most Lavaux wineries, a quintessentially small family run operation. In the post card-perfect village of Cully, Eliane and Guillaume Potterat work over a six-hundred-year old cellar. Their late-19th-century press is primitive enough that it takes a team of workers to push the heavy timber lever to crush the grapes, but its cast iron mechanics are a thing of late-industrial era beauty. Among the some 30,000 bottles that Domaine Potterat produces annually, their Epesses Grand Cru, Courseboux and Côtes de Courseboux white wines are among the best known. You'll find a weekly farmers market just outside their operation in the narrow streets of Cully, while in springtime some performances of the Cully Jazz festival are held in their cellar and garden. The CGN fleet of historic ships plies the waters of Lake Geneva, with a stop at Lavaux. Credit: Marie Contreras Uncommonly these days, all harvesting in Lavaux is done by hand—given the challenging terrain, not such a remarkable practice. Just enjoying the exquisite countryside here might be good enough reason to come back in the fall to sign up with a vintner and join in the labor yourself. With plenty of helpful signage along the paths and roads, you can't get lost among the Lavaux terraces. Down in Cully proper, one of various docks on Lake Geneva is a stop for the CGN fleet of Belle Époque steam paddle boats that still ply the waters. To be sure, a few in the fleet of eight are no longer steam powered, but the big red paddle wheels on either side remain a romantic element. With Lake Geneva having thirty species of fish, trout, perch or monkfish may well be on the menu for lunch that can be booked onboard, along with wine tastings. A cruise is also the chance to spot some of 230 bird species at home here, from ducks of all manner to mute swans, gray herons, great crested grebes and great cormorants. In the town of Vevey, the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes lies right on Lake Geneva. Credit: Leading Hotels of the World Two Leading Hotels of the World member properties lie within minutes of one another. Le Mirador Resort and Spa on Le Mont-Pèlerin looks far over the lake. In the town of Vevey, the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes with origins back to 1842 retains its old world flair—attic rooms have heavy timber crossbeams that run low through the middle, so watch your head. It should be a rule that dining under the Le 3C Restaurant patio awning be followed by a walk on the lake promenade. The property's Puressens Spa includes a long ground floor lap pool. Two doors from the hotel, the Alimentarium museum takes up a handsome early 20th-century Neo-classical lakefront building. As it once housed Nestlé headquarters, no surprise that the museum is devoted to food and nutrition around the world. La Fourchette , or the Fork of Vevey, is an instantly recognizable Instagram star of a 26-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture that sticks up from the lake water. Just outside of Vevey, fans of the seminal modern architect Le Corbusier can drop in for a look at his mid-1920s Villa Le Lac on the water. Minutes away inland, the Chaplin's World museum is housed in Manoir de Ban where the early cinema genius Charlie spent the last 25 years of his life, and is devoted to his work.
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Forbes
Visit Switzerland's Lakeside Cities And Stay For The 5-Star Lifestyle
Though Lac Léman's gleaming surface steals the summer spotlight, its shores have plenty to sing about: try wellness hikes with soundbathing sessions in an alpine meadow, wine tasting or biking through the vineyards of UNESCO-designated Canton of Vaud. In 1816, a motley crew of great writers took a trip to Lac Léman—aka Lake Geneva. Lord Byron, young doctor John Polidori, Percy Bysshe Shelley and his future wife Mary, accompanied by a peacock, a monkey and a dog, all set up base in the lakeside Villa Diodati, just outside Geneva. While the trip was far from relaxing—arguments, alcohol, laudanum, ghost stories and a volcanic ash cloud—it birthed some great work. Shelley wrote Hymn to Intellectual Beauty and Mont Blanc: Lines Written in the Vale of Chamouni. Byron produced the third canto of Childe Harold. And Mary, after an evening debating whether corpses could be animated, began creating Frankenstein, published the following year with Lake Geneva as a main character: 'I contemplated the lake; the waters were placid, all around was calm and the snowy mountains... the calm and heavenly scene restored me.' Snow-capped peaks soften into flower-strewn hills that slope gently toward the shoreline of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). That serene panorama has secured the region's status as one of the world's most coveted addresses. The tone for this storied location was set. Over 200 years later, restorative lakeside living is still the number-one pull for ultra-wealthy individuals visiting Switzerland and for those looking to set up home in this privileged, wellness-centric place. Switzerland continues to rank among the world's most desirable destinations for wealth migration: an estimated 16,703 ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals now call the tiny alpine nation home. Known for its political neutrality and stable economy, it's a country that consistently attracts those seeking a refined, discreet, secure and healthy way of living. With pristine lake views, proximity to world-class ski resorts, top-tier education and international appeal, Geneva and Lausanne are particularly popular among the global wealthy. Many buyers, especially those in their 40s and 50s with young families, come initially as visitors but soon find themselves making longer-term plans—a deeper commitment to a lifestyle defined by privacy, excellent healthcare and safety. 'This part of Switzerland offers a strategic location with access to major European cities within just a few hours,' says Hubert Chamorel, luxury advisor at FGP Swiss & Alps. 'The lifestyle in Geneva and Lausanne is very desired.' Flagship hotels—including the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Lausanne—lure discerning travelers, while the area's easy elegance often persuades them to stay for good. It's a sentiment echoed by those at the front line of welcoming newcomers to the region. 'Lausanne, despite being a small city, is a fantastic destination because of the proximity of the lake, and to nature,' explains Alain Kropf, General Manager of Hotel Royal Savoy. Martin Rhomberg, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, agrees. 'Our beautiful landscape offers the notion that nature still works. It's reassuring.' While Russian and Gulf clients dominated in the 1990s and early 2000s, today's buyers are a different profile, explains Chamorel. 'There is still some interest from the Middle East and China, but the majority of today's buyers are European, along with a smaller stream of Americans.' While some are relocating for work, others are moving permanently, drawn by the efficiency, cleanliness and quality of life. However, the Swiss property market is not easily accessible to foreign buyers. The tightly regulated Lex Koller law restricting foreign ownership means non-residents can only buy in designated tourist zones. Time-honored Alpine customs shape the region's soul, yet also expect a multi-cultural cosmopolitan flair that animates daily life. 'Outside these, only Swiss nationals or those with established residency are able to purchase homes,' explains Chamorel. 'Foreign buyers must demonstrate they are genuinely out to establish a life here, such as by setting up local bank accounts—or indeed, by securing housing. It's an added layer of diligence that ensures the community remains stable and rooted, not purely transactional. 'Switzerland rewards understatement… It's about seeking out elegant, private homes with outdoor space, with gardens, swimming pools, and lake views.' Ultimately, it's the lifestyle that seals the deal. The Geneva–Lausanne region offers a unique blend of access to alpine adventure, lakeside leisure and cosmopolitan living. The bold Art Nouveau and Neo Baroque exterior of the Royal Savoy reflects its 1909 origins. After a six-year hiatus—one that saw a CHF 100 million overhaul unfold from 2009 to 2015—the hotel resurfaced with no expense spared. And the area's luxury hotels play a significant part in that lifestyle, not only in being a first touchpoint for UHNW visitors, but also in spotting, responding to and serving up the trends valued by the international top tier. 'Roughly 60% of our business is corporate and 40% leisure,' says Kropf. 'Lausanne is small but we have the The Institute for Management Development (IMD), the International Olympic Committee (IoC) head office, 51 sports federations and many international companies including Nestlé, Philip Morris and Nespresso. That adds a unique global dimension to the business landscape.' 'Geneva might be known as corporate, but our guests are 96% leisure,' says Director of Sales Stéphanie Myter at newly renovated kid on the block The Woodward. 'Americans, especially, see it not just as a stopover, but a destination in its own right. 'There's a focus on quality of life now. Guests are coming here, falling in love with Geneva—and sometimes renting or even buying property afterwards.' Taking to the lake fulfills every brief—transport, leisure, and the clearest vantage for Switzerland's spectacular scenery. On the other side of the water lies La Réserve Genève Hotel & Spa, which has direct lakeside access and luxury boats to shuttle guests to the city. 'Our hotel is unique,' General Manager Clément Hernandez explains. 'In winter, it feels cozy, but in summer it becomes a resort with nautical fun on the lake, open terraces and three different types of restaurants.' All agree that the lake itself is the core attraction: at any given weekend from April to October, the crystal-clear lake is transformed into an aquatic playground. 'People are using as if it were the Mediterranean,' says Rhomberg. These activities are growing in popularity too: the market for water sports equipment in Switzerland is predicted to grow by 5.9% to $65.7 million by 2029. The Four Seasons in Geneva has, this summer, launched Riviera des Bergues—an events program that brings Med-style summer living to Lake Geneva and its more comfortable temperatures. 'It's a curated collection of open-air activities infused with laidback lakeside atmosphere,' says the Four Seasons' Rhomberg. 'The vibe is vacation but with Swiss precision and a touch of chic because you are in the city.' Geneva lends the shoreline a metropolitan pulse, enriching it with premier boutiques, restaurants and cultural halls. Another key attraction to the lakeside cities is the sense of community. 'Lausanne has an international flair with the benefits of a small village,' says Rhomberg. The UHNW community in both cities is unusual in that the top-tier hotels proactively bring international visitors together with local residents. 'It's important that we create events for the community,' says Kropf. One initiative Kropf is especially proud of, Les Rencontres du Royal, is a regular event series that he runs with well-known TV journalist Romaine Jean, who interviews a celebrated guest. 'Guests mingle with locals, people meet like-minded people.' Royal Savoy sits in the middle of La Vaux, a UNESCO-listed vineyard region, so wine tourism is a big part of the offer. 'It's not just about the wine, it's about authenticity and connection with the growers,' says General Manager Alain Kropf. Interviewees have ranged from Mathieu Jaton, Director of Montreux Jazz Festival, to Christophe Dubi, Executive Director of the Olympic Games. 'All our interviewees are part of our networks—the energy in the room is great.' Also part of that network are local winegrowers, and Kropf calls on them to create day trips for oenophile guests. This year there is also a series of oenological dinners in collaboration with renowned wineries such as Domaine Van Volxem and Domaine Comte Abbatucci. Within Geneva's oldest grand hotel—the Four Seasons, est. 1834—Il Lago serves Michelin-starred Italian cuisine. Guests and city locals also mingle at this year's true hotspots: the (rare) rooftop bars. 'There are only two in Geneva,' says Rhomberg, whose rooftop Izumi restaurant has a two-week waiting list. There's a sense of playfulness in all rooftop bars and restaurants—and no more so than here. Kick off with a wasabi martini, follow with wagyu, sea urchin and caviar nigiri, or a spiny lobster thermidor, Izumi-style. Similarly, the Royal Savoy's Sky Lounge is a much-fêted part of the Lausanne scene with its view south to the lake and north to gaze at the city on its slope. Atop the Royal Savoy, the Sky Lounge sweeps from lake-wide vistas to the quiet pockets of Lausanne below. At the other end of the aesthetic continuum, The Woodward is home to Geneva's only two-Michelin-star restaurant, L'Atelier Robuchon. Drenched in Louboutin red, it's bold and sexy and underground—and the place to be for fine dining. 'Guests sit at the bar and interact with the chefs—it's theater!' Myter enthuses. Finally, the one trend that is loved by UHNW guests and locals alike is the region's renowned wellness offering. In a sector predicted to grow annually at a rate of 7.3% and reach $9 trillion in 2028, wealthy clientele now expect a very good wellness offering—and likewise UHNW residents want to be able to access the best. Hotels are increasingly the place to do that. Rhomberg also heads up the wellness experience task force for Four Seasons EMEA. 'The difference between urban and resort wellness experiences,' he says, 'is that people in cities are busy. If they give up two hours of their time they expect results.' And if you move from visitor to resident, you can still enjoy the state-of-the-art spa—the Four Seasons Club des Bergues is open to local members but not advertised 'so that we balance how many people we take.' A longstanding devotion to wellness means many local hotels elevate their spas. At the Four Seasons Club des Bergues, treatments run from rose-scented baths to private pools and LPG Endermologie. Alain Kropf at the Royal Savoy adds: 'A spa is as important now for corporate guests as it is for leisure visitors. It's part of their routine—our gym and pool are at their busiest between 6:15 and 7:45am.' La Réserve's spa leads the way in its medical wellness offering. 'We have our own osteopaths and physiotherapists, and we offer special treatments using new technology. We even offer a private villa by the lake for tailored experiences,' says Hernandez. Myter agrees. 'Wellness is in high demand now. Our Guerlain Spa at The Woodward is a real draw. Everything in the spa has been designed with calm in mind.' As well as the treatment rooms and the gym, it has Geneva's longest swimming pool and panoramic views… of the lake. Of course. FGP Swiss & Alps is a member of Forbes Global Properties, an invitation-only network of top-tier brokerages worldwide and the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes.
