Fairmont Le Montreux Palace ★★★★★

Situated along the shores of Lake Geneva itself, the Fairmont Montreux Hotel makes quite a statement with its grand Belle Epoque façade. Built in 1906 it is one of the most elegant and prestigious hotels in all of Switzerland.

Here you’ll be welcomed in true Swiss style with all the refinery and sophistication you can picture and shown to one of the hotel’s lavish 236-rooms and suites. Mountain Rooms have gorgeous city views and are decorated in a traditional style with elegant tones of reds and golds, while the rest of the rooms offer spectacular views over the Lake Geneva and the Alps beyond, and are light and modern. Think four-poster beds, graceful chandeliers and stylishly modern furniture, and you’ll have some idea of what to expect.

Settle into your new accommodation with a tea or coffee from the facilities in your room and enjoy it on your private balcony, overlooking the lake. Look out at that same view that inspired Mary Shelly to write Frankenstein’s Monster and perhaps you may feel inspired by it too.

Montreux has so many sights, cultural, historic and natural, you won’t know what to visit first. One of the town’s most famous sights is the 13th-century Chillon Castle, located on an island just off shore. Immortalised by Lord Byron’s poem The Prisoner of Chillon, the castle was also written about by Mary Shelley, Jean-Jaques Rousseau and Alexander Dumas, and captured on canvas by artists William Turner and Gustave Courbet.

When you’re finished exploring its many courtyards, walking along its turrets and learning all about its history, it’s time to treat yourself to one of Switzerland’s most famous exports – that’s right it’s chocolate. And where better than the Caillier Swiss Chocolat Factory, where you can learn all about the making process, as well as indulge in a few tastings?

History and culture buffs can spend their afternoons wandering around the town, marvelling at its architecture and even go on the Queen Studio Experience to see where the famous band recorded seven of their albums, while wine lovers can head to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage vineyards of Lavaux for cellar tours and samples.

Back at the hotel, clear your mind after a busy day of sightseeing with a visit to the Willow Stream Spa, named "Best Luxury Hotel Spa" in Switzerland by the World Luxury Spa Awards 2014. Drawing on the elements from the Alpine air and mountain streams, it offers a deluxe sanctuary from which to heal, unwind and rejuvenate with the help of a vast range of massages and body treatments, as well as indoor and outdoor pools and al fresco relaxation areas.

Feeling peckish? You’ll be spoilt for choice with three different restaurants to choose from at the Fairmont – there’s MP’S Bar & Grill offering classic locally sourced food in a gorgeous setting, Montreux Jazz Café offering some the regions best wines paired with delicious aperitifs and Funky Claude’s providing a gourmet a la carte menu and an excellent range of cocktails. Better still, if you’re here for a few days, why not try them all and see which you like best?

As night draws in there’s nowhere you’d rather be than the Fairmont Montreux with its nightly live music, choice of bars and of course those envy-inducing views.