HOTEL
BARON TAVERNIER - CHEXBRES
Romantic Views on the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces
The Baron Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was one of the best known travelers
and explorers of the 17th Century. A cloth merchant who traversed the
spice routes to the east from France, wandering the Middle East and Asia
covering reportedly almost 240,000 miles. On his trading travels Tavernier
sought gems and was responsible for bringing the Hope Diamond to Louis
XIV. After settling with his wealth in the castle of Aubonne and acquiring
his title, Tavernier sat down to recount his travels, one of the first
travel writers. His example was followed by others who would come later
from Lord Byron to Mark Twain.
Set
amidst the vines of the World Heritage Lavaux Wine Vineyards (see Lavaux
Vineyard Touring) above the shimmering
waters of Lake Geneva on a curve of the Route Corniche just outside
the village of Chebrex, the Hotel Baron Tavernier takes it inspiration
from
the sophisticated world traveler from the 1600s. A life-sized statue
by Jacques Basler stands at a corner of the hotel terrace looking out
over the spectacular view, an inside are a few artifacts and mementoes
of the explorer, the Baron Tavenier is a hotel, not a museum. Quiet
romantic luxury in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, with the
best views in Switzerland.
The Baron Tavernier Hotel, relatively new, opened in 2005, is rather
small and intimate, with only 11 rooms and 7 suites, most with private
terraces, tastefully decorated, spacious and comfortable, all equipped
with cable TV, telephone, internet connection broadband and mini-bar.
If driving the Corniche Road through the Lavaux Vineyards, the hotel
has its own underground parking lot, dug into the hillside like a bunker
so as not to spoil the surrounding grape vine covering slopes. By rail,
the Baron Tavernier Hotel is about a 500 yard walk from the Chexbres
station where the "Wine Train" from Vevey stops.
The Hotel Baron Tavernier has three restaurants. The principal restaurant
with the same name as the hotel features an menu and décor inspired
by the Oriental travels of its namesake, gourmet dining indoors November
to March. The Le Bon Sauvage is more casual dining snacks with a vineyard
themes wine bistro rustic style. But undoubtedly, the most dramatic
feature of the Baron Tavernier is not the hotel, but its lounge bar & restaurant,
the "Le Deck".
Le Deck Lounge Bar & Restaurant
The "Le
Deck" is
just across the road from the hotel, a modern outdoor bar and lounge
of wood floor deck with cushy lounge chairs, infinity
tidepool
and fireplaces for when the sun sets on Lake Geneva below the vineyard
slopes. The Deck lounge is the ideal romantic spot for a drink in the
presence of stunning beauty. In summer, the sun sparkles on the lake
as the cruise boats ply the waters below. You can spy on the paddle
steamers cutting the surface with the deck telescopes. At harvest
time when the weather changes, the moods of the lake
and
surrounding
mountains
can lend
a
mystical quality. The restaurant is grill style with covered deck seating
behind
glass, for a clear view of the scenery, protected from the breezes.
The Deck Lounge and Restaurant is only open in the “la belle saison”,
from April to October, from 11am to midnight.
The Hotel Baron Tavernier is a bit pricey, but for the romantic at
heart, its location is priceless. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Reviews of Hotel Baron Tavernier
Find best hotels & travel deals Lake Geneva on TripAdvisor
Web
Info
Le Hotel Baron Tavernier
These articles are copyrighted
and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and
may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
SEE
ALSO:
ALIMENTARIUM FOOD MUSEUM - VEVEY
STEAMER CRUISES ON LAKE GENEVA
CHATEAU
DE VILLA - WINE TRAIL - SIERRE
