Caux Palace (Montreux, Switzerland)

 

My last post was from Leysin and I wrote about the Swiss Hotel Management School having a campus in Leysin and in Montreux. So, I'm in Montreux and will be heading way, way up the mountain to the school, a former hotel (you can't see the school in this photo as it's WAY up there). This is a view near Montreux's lakefront. During the turn-of-the-century a slew of majestic hotels were built on the Lake Geneva waterfront. 

I'm heading up the mountain. That's Lake Geneva.

Oh, I'm nearing the spectacular belle epoque Caux Palace Hotel. This is where the Swiss Hotel Management School calls home.

This is a side view of hotel's front.

Here's a partial view of the hotel. I'm not a happy camper. The place is locked-up and even the promenade and grounds are closed. 

It turns out the Swiss Hotel Management School doesn't own the property but, rents it during the school sessions from September to mid-June. 

Opened in 1902, the Caux Palace Hotel was called the most luxurious in Switzerland. At the same time a cogwheel railway line was built, bringing guests, tourists up the mountain. In 1930 the first Bobsleigh World Championship took place here. 

World War l and World War ll were the downfall of the hotel. In 1946 the Caux Initaitives of Change Foundation bought the property to hosts seminars, conferences and retreats. So, during the summer when the hotel management school is out of session, it's available to rent. 

Here's a view down to Lake Geneva. That's an old ski lift in the photo.

I'm back in Montreux's lakefront and see the sign for Clinique La Prairie, right across the street from Lake Geneva. Better check it out.

La Prairie is that very expensive line of skin care products that uses serum from caviar extract to supposedly roll back aging. Yeah right. 

Clinique La Prairie dates back to 1931 and was founded by Dr. Paul Niehans. This chateau with its French gardens was his residence. 

In 1982 the skin care brand was sold and after several more changes in ownership it was bought by Beiersdorf, (Hamburg, Germany) in 1991. Wow, I didn't know that. Consumer brands of Beiserdorf  include Eucerin (which I use) and Nivea.

Clinique La Prairie is a completely separate from La Prairie and this very expensive wellness and spa complex is quite the place with 50 rooms and suites. 

Armin Mattli bought Clinique La Prairie in 1980 and is still family-owned. 

This building is also part of Clinique La Prairie and business must be good as plans call for wellness and spa centers in China and Saudi Arabia.