Hôtel des Trois Couronnes is the romantic grand hotel of the Swiss Riviera for couples who want character over size. It opened in 1842 right on the shore of Lake Geneva in Vevey, a few minutes' walk from the old town and the market square. The rooms look across the water to the French Alps. The terrace is one of the loveliest places on the lake for a long breakfast or a sunset glass of Chasselas from the Lavaux vineyards just up the shore.
It suits couples who want a quieter base than Montreux with the same views. Vevey is a real town with cafés, a Saturday market and a lakefront promenade that runs toward Montreux and Chillon Castle. The UNESCO-listed Lavaux terraces start at the edge of town. The hotel has a Japanese kaiseki restaurant, a Mediterranean brasserie and the Puressens Spa with an indoor pool.
The hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. It is a classic palace, so expect chandeliers and period decor rather than modern minimalism. For a lake-and-vineyard honeymoon, it is one of the best addresses on the shore.
Highlights at a glance
- Opened in 1842 on the shore of Lake Geneva
- Lake and Alps views from many rooms
- Japanese kaiseki at Manabu
- Puressens Spa with a 24-meter indoor pool
- Walk to Vevey's old town and market
Why Couples Love the Trois Couronnes
It feels like a private palace. The grand atrium, the sweeping staircase and the long terrace give it the air of a 19th-century residence. The hotel has kept that mood while updating rooms and dining.
The lake is right there. Morning light on the water, paddle steamers passing and the Alps turning pink at dusk make up the daily show. Few hotels on Lake Geneva put you this close to the water in such a historic building.
Vevey adds a lot too. It is smaller and calmer than Montreux, with good food, a lakeside promenade and small museums. You can walk to the old town for dinner or take a short train ride into the vineyards. The hotel's location makes it easy to fill days without a car. After a long day of walking and wine tasting, the spa and pool are waiting downstairs.
Rooms and Suites to Book
The hotel is intimate by grand hotel standards, with rooms, junior suites and suites overlooking Lake Geneva. Interiors are classic, with warm colors, rich fabrics and period details. Some rooms have balconies facing the water.
For a honeymoon, book a lake-view room or a junior suite with a balcony. Waking up to the lake and the mountains across it is the reason to stay here. Rooms facing the street side are quieter in price but miss the view entirely.
Suites give you more space, often with a separate sitting area. They make sense for a longer stay or a special celebration. The newer La Résidence des Trois Couronnes, at the same address, offers a different style of stay. Ask how it compares if you want more independence. Mention your honeymoon when booking and ask for a high floor for the widest view.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Manabu is the standout restaurant, serving Japanese kaiseki in a series of small, seasonal courses. It holds 14 out of 20 GaultMillau points and is a surprise in a Swiss palace hotel. Book it for one special evening.
Le 3C is the Mediterranean brasserie, good for relaxed dinners and lunch on the terrace. Sunday brunch runs from midday into the afternoon and is a local favorite. In summer, a terrace aperitif with a glass of Lavaux white is a must.
The Puressens Spa has an indoor pool of about 24 meters, a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, fitness area and seven treatment rooms. Treatments are developed with the French skincare expert Joëlle Ciocco. The spa has lake views, so even a swim feels scenic. Book a couples treatment after a day of walking through the vineyards.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
The Swiss Riviera has plenty for two.
- Lavaux vineyards: walk the terraces from Cully to St-Saphorin, with tastings in family cellars along the way.
- Chillon Castle: a medieval castle on a rock in the lake, a short train or boat ride away.
- Lake steamers: Belle Époque paddle boats connect Vevey with Montreux, Lausanne and the French shore.
- Rochers-de-Naye: a cogwheel train from Montreux climbs to a summit with lake and Alpine views.
- Vevey itself: the Saturday market, the lakeside promenade and small museums.
If one of you loves wine and the other prefers hiking, Lavaux covers both. In early July, the Montreux Jazz Festival fills the region with music. Book well ahead if your dates overlap.
Getting There
Geneva Airport (GVA) is about an hour away by direct train or car. Trains run along the lake, past Lausanne, to Vevey station, which is a short walk or taxi ride from the hotel.
From Zurich (ZRH), the train takes about two and a half hours. Vevey is also on the line to Montreux, where the GoldenPass Express heads up to Gstaad. That makes it easy to combine with a mountain stay.
You do not need a car here. Trains, buses and lake boats connect all the main sights. If you do drive, the hotel has private parking. A Swiss Travel Pass or regional pass may cover many of the boats and trains, so compare options before buying single tickets.
Is It Worth It?
For a lakefront palace with history, yes. You get the views, the setting and the service of a grand hotel at a lower price than the big names in Geneva or Gstaad. Rates are not shown on the homepage. Expect roughly $550 a night and up for two, approximate, with lake-view rooms and summer festival dates higher.
Couples who want a bigger resort with a large spa and mountain-top views might prefer a hotel up on Mont-Pèlerin. Those who want more nightlife may like Montreux, where the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace faces the lake near the center. For couples who want a quieter town, good food and the vineyards on the doorstep, the Trois Couronnes is an elegant and personal choice.
Insider tips
- Book a lake-view room with a balcony; street-side rooms miss the view.
- Reserve Manabu early for a kaiseki dinner.
- Walk the Lavaux terraces in the morning, then taste wine at lunch.
- Book early if your dates overlap with the Montreux Jazz Festival.
