When in Lausanne, it is hard to escape the palpable sense of Olympism that beats throughout the city. Those seeking to eat, breathe and sleep in the thickest essence of it all will find it with a stay at the Lausanne Palace.
The Olympic Games may take place every four years, but the Olympic spirit is celebrated every day at this historic hotel. First opened in 1915, the same year that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made Lausanne its capital, Lausanne Palace has been the official residence of the Presidents of the IOC since 1980. The legendary five-ring flag flies from its roof proudly alongside that of Switzerland, marking it as the official hotel of the most revered sporting event in the world.
Despite not being parked right by the prized shores of Lac Leman, Lausanne Palace has nonetheless stolen the hearts of visitor for more than 100 years with its city hotel status, most notably with its ‘LP Spirit’. It retains its elegant Belle Epoque façade, but has evolved with the city and its people with a sporty playfulness on the inside. Just a stone’s throw away from the swarming Flon district, it stands itself apart with a combined spirit of openness, curiosity and just a dash of sassy cheek, making it a place for creative souls as well as more serious business people.
Whichever persona you identify with during your stay, Lausanne Palace promises a room to match your preference, with 140 rooms and suites that are each individually decorated with their own distinct charm and elegance. City rooms offer views of the Old Town, the cathedral, and its winding streets, while Lake view rooms bring serenity with Lac Leman and the Alps always in sight at a distance. The crowning jewels are two Presidential Suites, the Coco Chanel Suite and the Samaranch Suite, the last two named after the designer eternal and former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, respectively, both of whom called the Lausanne Palace home once upon a time.
While its rooms are elegant and service impeccable, the real LP spirit comes alive in its dining offerings. Four distinct restaurants reflect the spirit of the city that itself is fast becoming a global melting pot of diversity, coupled with three bars for afternoon drinks, evening nightcaps, and corporate events.
Breakfast at Le Côté Jardin brings a slice of serenity, with views of the hotel’s panoramic terrace in the summer and a sweeping verandah that incites sighs of calm and relaxation. A taste of Paris is on the menu at the Brasserie Grande Chêne, a Parisian-style brasserie that offers all things synonymous with the French capital, right down to the bustling live kitchen brigade and a table d’hôte positioned right in front of the pass. International fusion flavours are served at Matcha Picchu, a space carved out to celebrate the Nikkei art of living with Peruvian-Japanese fare.
For very special occasions, the two-Michelin-starred La Table du Lausanne introduces the best of the city, from ingredients and cooking style to innovation and creativity materialised by Chef Franck Pelux. French-trained and Asian-inspired, Pelux transforms the freshest and finest of Lausanne into edible memories of his travels with his wife, Sarah. Courses are served as beautiful works of art on a plate that speaks as much to the eyes as they do the palate. The Chouchuka, for instance, is a simple dish of tomato prepared four ways—confit, smoked, poached, and suffused with harissa—delivering four equally delightful tastes and textures of tomato to truly whet the appetite. The Lobster doesn’t shy away from generosity, with a whole medallion of Brittany blue lobster tail dressed with a decadent sea salt butter. It is accompanied by a golden zucchini flower, plucked fresh from a farm every morning just 10km away from the hotel, stuffed with the rest of the lobster for explosive bites.
One of the fondest memories Pelux and his wife harbour is of their time together in China. This chapter of their love story is commemorated with The Beef, a dry-aged entrecote marinated for no less than 72 hours in a secret blend of Chinese herbs, spices and wine, before grilled over charcoal in the exact same way beef is prepared in a popular Yunnan street food. Slice into it and breathe in the perfume of cumin and peppers. Bite into it and let the beef jus coat your tongue in a rich savoury intensity. For an extra treat, mix in the small bowl of rice provided on the side with the precious sauce and be transported to the streets of Beijing, where rice reigns supreme at every meal that matters.
When all that work and play are done, relax at the Lausanne Palace Spa, a haven at the forefront of sports, fitness and wellbeing. Beauty is taken care of by Valmont, an ultra-high-end Swiss skincare brand for advanced facial care, while wellness is offered through Cinq Mondes treatment rituals that are inspired by holistic ancestral wisdom of the five continents. One’s crowning glory is also in good hands at the Hair Spa by Aveda hairdressing salon, harnessing the deep expertise of Aveda’s haircare secrets. For the body, fitness manager Sadio Sankhare has curated a fitness centre that provides private training and tailor-made coaching, if group classes aren’t your cup of tea. But if it’s just nothing you seek to do, its sprawling indoor pool, complete with a jacuzzi on one end and sauna facilities on the fringe, makes for the most delicious soak any time of the year.
Ever since its opening, Lausanne Palace has continually played a pivotal role in the urban fabric of the city it calls home. It vicariously evolves along with the latest trends, while still maintaining its legendary hospitality. Most importantly, it enters every new decade and stays relevant in the eyes of visitors new and loyal, with a little cheekiness that has come to be known as the priceless ‘LP spirit’.
