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| Lake
Geneva, Switzerland receives |
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Society - Extraordinary |
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6 Stars
& 5 Stripes
Hotel & Service |
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The Ultimate
Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes™ |
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| Taking the route over Northern Europe we had landed
smoothly at Geneva International Airport, Switzerland (GVA). Alberto Matos, our
driver, was patiently expecting our arrival and welcomed us with a good
old-world handshake and an open smile. The
BMW
750IL under his caring guidance granted as a more then pleasant (50 minute)
ride to our destination on Lake Geneva - the Le Mirador Kempinski, in Mont
Pélerin near Montreaux. A diamond in a platinum setting. By the way Lake
Geneva is the largest lake in Western Europe, covering about 224 sq miles of
which 134 are Swiss and 90 belong to the French, adding to its charm. The
region is of
breathtaking
beauty; Lake Geneva has been and is a favorite of many internationally
renowned writers and film makers. As we were arriving here in July during
daylight hours, any kinds of water sports were worshipped on and in these
radiant blue waters. It was obvious that the lake is also a paradise for
fishing, from shore or by boat. |
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| Introduced to us as one of
Switzerland's finest luxury resorts, the Le Mirador Kempinski has a location
second to none. The very first impression was the one of an elegant county
estate, residing gracefully over meadows, vineyards and pastures. We could hear
the sounds of the land, the bells of the country, and the world many of us may
have forgotten; wondrous, complete. The grounds were perfectly maintained and
when the golden main entrance door opened, Eric Favre the GM welcomed us with
great grace. Later on we should find out that the man who fits into this
picture like no other, is the father of three. That he is a world traveler
became pretty clear to me when he shared that his work experience includes well
respected positions in Bangkok, Thailand, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and several
other renowned resorts in Switzerland. The world is a village, isn’t
it? |
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“We can hear the sounds of the land, the bells of country,
and the world many of us may have forgotten; wondrous, complete.”
TP |
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We must mention the elegant grand staircase next to
the front desk. Knowing Simone, my bride, (she unfortunately couldn’t join
me this time), she would have insisted on wearing some kind of a long evening
dress for dinner for the full effect of a truly grand entrance. The entrance
hall was lit with a magnificent sparkling chandelier.
Our
accommodations
were equally extraordinare, elegant, harmonious, and exquisite. As our bell man
opened the French doors of my suite the concerto of the land pulled me on the
wide, pretty balcony. A church bell was ringing. This view of the land and the
lake is to be seen before one dies, there is no second. A careful knocking at
the door invited us for a champagne welcome toast on the grand terrace; well
dressed people with friendly faces mingled with the hotel management. A light
summer breeze was pushing a powerful cloud into our direction. After all we
were now 1,312 feet above Lake Geneva, perched on a mountain. Looking to the
right we discovered an amazing glass-dome that was halfway covering an
indoor/outdoor swimming pool. We saw swimmers and sunbathers enjoying well
temperatured waters and spectacular views. The cloud was drifting closer
…
Later that evening as I was changing for dinner I got to
appreciate my comfortably decorated domicile. The amenities were world class:
oversized plasma TV, oversized
Jacuzzi
in the bedroom, bidet, plush robes - just to mention a few. The princess duvet
bed was turned down for the night already with little Swiss chocolates on the
night stand; I felt cared for. As I laid down for a moment on the bed the white
fluffy cloud was now on my balcony and trying to lullaby me with its white
wings, but I was hungry and as I got up, it was gone and the blues of the lake
were dominating the view once again. |
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The next day an excursion on Lake Geneva was planned
with the 46 foot air-conditioned well-designed Le Mirador house yacht. But my
photographer Sascha and I went first of all for a work-out to the fitness room,
and that is clearly an understatement. This state of the art, top notch
exercise fitness facility gave me a cardio workout fit for a
marathon.
The yacht charter, located just a short five minute ride from
the hotel, was found to be the ideal toy for small cocktail parties, a romantic
dinner or just a leisure day of swimming and diving on the lake; it
accommodates 10 people easily. The leather interiors were portraying the colors
of the golden wildflower honey we'd found that morning on our breakfast table.
Speaking of breakfast: one easily forgets to eat, the breathtaking views during
breakfast are worth alone the trip; anything once heart desires in regards to
international breakfast cuisine may be ordered right 'to the minute', even a
perfectly chilled flute of Veuve Cliquot.
Three restaurants: Le Trianon,
Le Patio and Au Chalet offer different, utmost delicious dining styles and all
have one thing in common and that is these amazing terraces facing Lake Geneva
and the Alps with
views
to dream. I must applaud the ever-so-present unobtrusive service that
allows one to dream. I highly recommend the whole experience at Le Mirador
including
dining at the Le Trianon. |
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"…all have one thing in common and that is these amazing
terraces facing
Lake Geneva and the Alps with view to dream. I must applaud
the ever
-so-present unobtrusive service that allows one to dream." TP
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by
Thorsten Piosczyk & Sascha Derschewsky
Editor-in-Chief: John
Lomitola
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| © 2005 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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