Hôtel Les Cygnes

The building has survived since the 1840s, which is amazing, and it gives the place a 1920s Belle Epoch charm. We went for my birthday, and being the closest hotel to the lakeside in Evian les Bains, it was stunning. It felt like a Titanic dining deck, with a stained-glass indoor bar and dining room, plus a private beach and deck. Pretending to be in old-world 1920s luxury was priceless, and I’d definitely come back for the experience. There are some trade-offs with an old building. The shower pressure was poor, the rooms smelled musty, and there were insects hiding in the corners, including mosquitoes. The food was mediocre at best and overpriced. I’d suggest smaller portions and a choice between French dishes and lighter food for a wider range of guests. The spa is nice, but it only opens at 10:00/10:30, which was too late for us as travellers who had to leave. Earlier hours would help. Next time I’d bring my bug zapper, antihistamine and dry shampoo, have breakfast there, and eat dinner out if lighter options aren’t available.

I went back to the restaurant a few months later, and that was our last visit. A waiter dropped a fork on the floor, then tried to put it on my table. I asked for another one. The waitress walked a few steps away, came back, and again tried to set it on my table. It’s scary how much one-star reviews have shot up over the last year. They also ask you to finish dinner by 11:15pm, as shown in the menu screenshot.

This hotel is full of history, almost 100 years, and old-fashioned charm. Its lakeside location is magnificent, with a private pontoon and a lovely view. I had a memorable time there. The garden is beautiful and relaxing, with a nice pool, and the cosy, nostalgic rooms really do feel like one of those picturesque old French hotels. The restaurant and breakfast are both exceptional. You can eat in beautiful salons or on the terrace by the lake, and the staff are mostly helpful, with lots of thoughtful touches for guests. A garage can be booked ahead of time. The drawbacks for me were the 20-minute walk to Évian centre, no lift to the rooms and no air conditioning, or even a ceiling fan. Évian usually isn’t very hot, but summers are getting warmer and cooling may become necessary. Still, I had a truly memorable stay and would definitely recommend this lovely hotel.

I only went to the restaurant for a meal, not the hotel. The food was great, the atmosphere cosy and the lake view amazing. They even had perfumes in the bathroom for guests to use if they wanted to smell extra nice. One waiter kept insisting we choose a particular dessert instead of the simple ice cream we wanted. The other waiters were great, though, and the ice cream was tasty.