Late October in the French Alps offers a rare tranquility: the season when summer crowds dissolve and the lake sits mirror-still beneath the mountains. KJ Travel advisor Chelsea just completed a seven-night familiarization trip through Hôtel Royal – Evian Resort and 4 different luxury hotels in Paris, and she's brought back great insider knowledge.
QUICK TAKE
Discover why Chelsea loved Hôtel Royal – Evian Resort, a 5-star lakeside property just one hour from Geneva with spectacular views, Michelin-starred dining, and mountain access. Then experience Paris's most compelling luxury hotels (from Grand Powers's unbeatable Eiffel Tower views to the peace and tranquility of Hôtel du Palais Royal) paired with exclusive experiences like a fully privatized Eiffel Tower tour and a private yacht cruise on the Seine.
ÉVIAN | HÔTEL ROYAL – EVIAN RESORT & THE LAKE GENEVA EXPERIENCE
Getting There
The journey starts in Geneva. From the airport, it's roughly a one-hour drive to Hôtel Royal – Evian Resort, nestled in the hills above Evian-les-Bains with expansive views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The scenic drive itself is part of the experience, you’ll be in awe as you wind past snow-dusted peaks and shimmering lakeshores. It's close enough for seamless logistics, yet far enough to feel like a genuine escape
Why Chelsea Loved It
Walking into Hôtel Royal – Evian Resort, you understand immediately why it's one of the most unique and luxurious properties in the world. This 5-star Palace hotel blends contemporary design with Belle Epoque architecture from the early 20th century. Every room and suite was meticulously refurbished, delivering that perfect balance between historical charm and modern luxury. Beautiful lake views appear everywhere: from the guest rooms, from the dining venues, even from the golf course.
Dinner at Le Véranda overlooking the lake showcased fresh, local ingredients, while Les Fresques, the resort's Michelin-starred restaurant (holding its star since 2018), delivered the culinary excellence that transforms a resort stay into a destination experience.
Chelsea's take? The property is genuinely exceptional. She highlighted these standout elements: the food is fantastic, the modern room product is updated and inviting (she noted some room types are stronger than others, something you can dive into with her for specific guidance).
Room Options & the Penthouse Advantage
For families or multi-generational groups, there's an especially compelling option: a 6-bedroom top-floor penthouse. If you're planning a luxury family vacation or multigenerational trip, this penthouse delivers the space, the views, and the value proposition to bringing everyone together.
The property also includes Hôtel Ermitage, a 4-star sister property with an equally modern room product, perfect for clients seeking luxury without the big price tag, with many connecting room options, making it a good option for families.
Family Amenities That Matter
Both Hôtel Royal and Hôtel Ermitage offer complimentary Kids and Teen Clubs (night kids club programming is available during peak travel), but it's the Baby Club that really stands out. Open to children from 6 months to 3 years, it’s government-certified by France, meaning staff have specific training and care standards, exactly what parents traveling with babies need to feel truly at ease. While the Baby Club comes at an additional cost, its level of care and certification make it a rare offering in the hotel world. Together, these clubs create a haven for families, perfect for children of every age and giving parents time to unwind at the spa, play a round of golf, or simply enjoy some quiet moments together.
Activities
Skiing is accessible but not on-property. The resort can arrange transfers to the lifts, approximately a 15-minute drive away to PORTES DU SOLEIL. For clients seeking easy alpine access without the premium price of true ski-in/ski-out properties, this is a great option.
For other offsite activities you can take the ferry across to Lausanne for the day (35 min ferry ride), head to Montreux which is an 1 hour drive from Evian, or visit a very cute medieval town to explore nearby, can also explore the town of Evian (where the water is from).
They do however, have a lot of activities around the resort in every season (property is open year round) among those activities you can find: dog sledding, nordic skiing, ice diving, tobogganing and during summer: hiking, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and horseback riding.
PARIS | A MASTERCLASS IN LUXURY HOTELS
Chelsea's next stop in this French adventure took her to Paris. Beyond the city's 12 Palace hotels, she visited two distinct luxury properties, each offering a different vibe and clientele. Here's what she learned:
Grand Hotel Powers: The Golden Triangle Triumph
Grand Hotel Powers sits in the heart of Paris's Golden Triangle, steps from Avenue Montaigne—essentially Paris’s version of Rodeo Drive. For US travelers seeking iconic Parisian luxury without leaving their comfort zone, this is the ideal landing spot. It’s also priced exceptionally well for a five-star stay in this prestigious arrondissement—a client favorite of ours in Paris. The views are what truly set it apart. Rooms on the fourth floor and higher open onto balconies with incredible Eiffel Tower views. Imagine morning coffee with that iconic view. The property underwent an extraordinary renovation, embracing modernity while honoring its heritage as a luxury legend since 1920.
Hôtel du Palais Royal: The Quiet Sanctuary
Situated in the 1st arrondissement with a courtyard location, Hôtel du Palais Royal offers something increasingly rare in central Paris: profound quiet. Chelsea mentioned you could easily sleep with your windows open in the cooler months in Paris, because it was so silent, a luxury in itself if you ask us.
The courtyard setting means you're removed from street energy without being removed from the city center. It's perfect for travelers seeking tranquility within walking distance of everything.
On a side note: this property serves as the filming location for the office scenes in Emily in Paris.
PARIS VIP EXPERIENCES
From private Eiffel Tower access to intimate yacht cruises on the Seine, Paris is full of ways to make a stay feel extraordinary. If you’re visiting in November or December, weaving in time to visit winter festivals or Christmas markets is a beautiful way to round out your itinerary.
"Under the Eiffel Tower" Private Experience: The VIP Difference
This is not your standard Eiffel Tower visit, it's a fully privatized tour where a guide takes you underneath the iconic structure to explain the hydraulics and mechanics that power Gustave Eiffel's engineering marvel.
Here's what's going to make your Eiffel Tower visit more efficient: you enter elevators before everyone else (via the exit door), which means zero waiting in line to ride to the 1st and 2nd floor. The ascent becomes an educational journey guided by experts who uncover captivating stories and technical feats at every level. At the summit, a glass of champagne awaits as the City of Light stretches beneath you.
The logistics matter too. This tour is offered in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Chelsea said it was a really special way to experience the magic and views of the Eiffel Tower without wasting hours in line.
Luxury Yacht Seine Cruise: Boat Lunch with Champagne
The yacht is brand-new, all-wooden, and fits 12 people, an intimate flotilla rather than a commercial barge. The vessel has a fully covered back deck and a full cabin with dining table, delivering comfort and intimacy in one of the world's most beautiful settings.
If you're not sure which experience you should go for: a yacht experience (intimate, private, full meal) or a standard private river cruise (smaller boat, limited amenities), Chelsea's recommendation is clear: the yacht wins.
Marais Walking Tour
Chelsea's morning began with a private walking tour through Île de la Cité and the towers of Notre Dame, a deep dive into Paris’s medieval heart. Afterward, a guided stroll through the Marais offers a closer look at one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods, where centuries-old architecture meets modern Paris.
Chelsea's take? This was a really fun tour. She would definitely recommend it for a younger couple or a younger family or an all adults multi-gen family. I wouldn't recommend it for young kids.
FAQS - EVIAN RESORT AND PARIS
What makes Hôtel Royal – Evian Resort unique compared to other alpine properties? The balance of Belle Époque elegance and modern design, Michelin-starred dining, and panoramic lake views from nearly every angle make it stand out. It’s an excellent choice for travelers seeking alpine scenery without heavy ski crowds or for clients seeking to ski for only part of their stay rather than for the full stay..
How long should I spend in Évian vs. Paris? Chelsea's seven-night itinerary (combining both destinations) delivers good pacing. 3 nights in Evian for summer and a longer stay if you want to ski, paired with 4 nights in Paris. Évian works beautifully as a tail-end property after an active Switzerland or France itinerary, perfect for spa time, lake scenery, and wind-down before flying home.
What dining options does Hôtel Royal at Evian Resort offer? The resort features multiple dining venues with lake views. Le Véranda showcases fresh, local ingredients, while Les Fresques is the resort's Michelin-starred restaurant (holding its star since 2018), delivering exceptional culinary experiences You also have access to Ermitage's restaurant, where you can have the private raclette dinner (which Chelsea thought was super unique and definitely recommends).
Which Paris hotel is best for iconic Eiffel Tower views? Grand Hotel Powers, located in the Golden Triangle near Avenue Montaigne. Rooms on the fourth floor and higher feature balconies with spectacular Eiffel Tower views.
ACCESS EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES IN FRANCE
Whether you're drawn to the lakeside serenity of Évian Resort or the iconic elegance of Paris (or better yet, both) we'll design an itinerary that captures the best of French culture, gastronomy, and lifestyle. Chelsea's fresh insights mean we can recommend with confidence which properties suit your needs best and how to access and secure those exclusive experiences that transform a vacation into something truly memorable.
Get in touch with a KJT Advisor to start planning your text french getaway today