Hotel Review: L'Imperial Palace, Annecy By one who knows of…read morewhat he speaks Rising like a grand dame at the water's edge, the Hôtel Impérial Palace presides over Lake Annecy with a majesty born of another era. Behind it, the French Alps stand in silent, snow-capped reverence. The canopy of blue sky and glacial peaks frames a scene so cinematic it seems conjured by the dreams of poets and painters. Within, the facility is the pinnacle of 21st-century refinement--sleek, serene, and state-of-the-art. The rooms whisper luxury, the views beg you to linger, and the Alpine air itself feels restorative. And yet, as every seasoned traveler knows: a palace is only as noble as its stewards. And here, alas, lies the breach. I say this not as a dilettante of destinations, but as one who once stood behind the desk, donned the black tie, polished the silver, and glided through dining rooms on aching feet, determined to make guests feel not merely served--but seen. Today, such grace is in retreat. The front desk, that sacred threshold of welcome, now offers little more than perfunctory glances and programmed politeness. A smile is rare. A moment of genuine warmth, rarer still. Servers gather like birds on a wire, chirping to each other while guests--many just off planes, trains, or weary roads--await that first gesture of care. Drinks arrive, but not the cocktail napkin. Ask, and you're given a cloth dinner napkin at the bar--then later, a paper one with dinner. It's not the inconsistency that grates; it's the absence of intention. The dining service, though kind in spirit, lacks the choreography of true hospitality. Plates are stacked and swept like a late-night diner in Amarillo, not a lakeside palace in the Haute-Savoie. The staff is present, but not poised; attentive, but not artful. One feels processed, not pampered. What is missing is not competence--it is conviction. Gone is the sense that service is theater, that the guest is sovereign, that dinner by the lake is a memory in the making. The invisible ballet of old--where a server appeared just when needed and vanished just before noticed--has given way to hurried footsteps and absent eyes. And that, perhaps, is the quiet tragedy of our time. Still, the place is beautiful. Still, the setting is sublime. But until the staff embraces their role not as employees but as dreammakers, L'Imperial will remain a palace without a court. A jewel with its light dimmed.

I usually don't leave hotel reviews, and if I do, it's to warm people to stay away. Not the case…read morehere. What an awesome place!!! Perhaps the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. The lake side view from the 7th floor was breathtaking. Only a short 20 minute walk to the old town. The breakfast was well worth the money too. French bread, French butter, and some of the best scrambled eggs I have ever eaten.

The 1903 Bistro of Auberge du Pere Bise is quite a special experience in one of the most pristine…read moresettings one can imagine. If anyone is near Annecy, this is a must see and experience kind of place. The drive to Talloires unfolds the unique and aesthetically pleasing treat one will experience on the palate and via the olfactory senses. This is a mini empire of cuisine excellence. There are two restaurants co-located, the 1903 Bistro and the actual Auberge du Pere Bise restaurant under the young Chef Jean Sulpice, both rated two stars by Michelin. There is also a bakery located at the premises and one's appetite will be thoroughly whetted with pastry chefs walking between the restaurants and bakery as you approach and enter. You will understand this is a high end affair with well heeled and attired understated folks exiting their vehicles for valet parking. The nearby pristine Lac du Annecy and surrounding mountains along with the picturesque village of Talloires complete this picture meeting your eyes before you take a step into this calm 1903 Bistro. This was my second visit to Talloires and this time I was treating my family friends to lunch for spoiling me in the Spring of this year and so often over the decades. We had a reservation and they seated us at a large round table along the curvilinear windows that look out to the curvature of Talloires along the lake and the lake itself toward the opposite shore and mountains beyond. Oh yes, this is a special experience! My appetizer was a crudite not made of vegetables, but of a long toasted bread stick for dipping in a rich and creamy seafood type sauce. Then came my entree consisting of a local fish from the Lac du Annecy called a Fera, related to salmon and trout, on a bed of vegetables with a creamy sauce spooned over the fish by the ever attentive and refined waiter appropriate for such a place. I chose a Rose from the Provence that was fruity, floral and fragrant. I believe we consumed two bottles of that elegant Rose, which paired well with everyone's selections as well as this magnificent dessert made of grapefruit meringue and sorbet. What a cap to the experience, but wait, there's more. They complimented the table with praline tartlets that sent us into orbit and let me go home with two. That bakery is no joke! You will pay for this experience at around a hundred dollars per person, but you will never forget the experience, which does not have to end upon payment. All credit cards are accepted here, particularly if you experienced many places in France not accepting Amex. You can stroll outside and enjoy a cigar waterside, which the family indulged me as I sipped on cognac and enjoyed a Siglo VI. You can stroll around the lake if you please, which I have done. If there is any shortcoming, it is the somewhat sparse servings that often come at this price point. You leave satisfied and satiated, but your appetite will soon resurrect itself. Four and a half beautifully experienced stars!

Absolutely stellar in every way. The 1903 bistro is exactly the same high 2 star Guide Michelin…read morequality as the smaller restaurant on the premises. Service is commensurate with the excellent quality of food, wine list, and experience. Do not miss this restaurant and hotel in Talloires!

The sign at the street claims that they are four star. Maybe a decade or two ago but it is not now…read more Rough around the edges. Slippery bathtub/shower - be careful of trying to take a shower standing up. Toilet seat cover would not stay up. Toilet itself had rings of gray cracks inside. Hot water was iffy. What it did run it took a long time to get to the sink or the tub. No amenities whatsoever - not even face towels. I added a night and they did not give me the advertised rate that I got for the first three nights - they charge me full rack rate! Parking pass did not work and they only give parking credit for Knight which is for euros but it did not do the credit at the parking garage. I would avoid this place because it needs some serious work in order to become more than two star.

Excellent location right next to a large park and the waterfront and one block from the pedestrian…read moreonly area with restaurants and shops. Staff was great, room was nicely appointed and very clean. Hotel was extremely helpful in picking out great restaurants nearby as well as suggesting bike rentals and boat rentals.

Quaint! That's the first word that comes to my mind for Les Pensieres. Located in a 15th century…read morebuilding, as part of the Merieux Foundation, Les Pensieres hosts public health related conferences. We were supposed to meet in Geneva for a meeting. However, the meeting organizers did not realize the fact that the Motor show is happening during the same week. Most hotels in Geneva were sold out, or ridiculously expensive. While the organizers panicked at not being able to get hotel rooms for the attendees, the Merieux Foundation graciously stepped in and agreed to provide a venue for our meeting. So, off we went to Annecy! Don't be fooled by the 15th century old school charm. Les Pensieres boasts of hi-tech facilities with video conferencing capabilities. The rooms are beautifully done, as no room is alike another. Breakfast was glorious with an assortment of cheeses (we are in the Haute-Savoie after all), charcuterie, and breads. Every lunch was an ornate 3 course affair and we tried hard to stay awake for the afternoon meetings. Les Pensieres could be an ideal location if you are vacationing in the Annecy region, but they do not let individuals rent a room to stay. You can only stay if you are part of a public health conference or organization meeting. Too bad, because I would travel to Annecy to stay here for a long weekend.

Absolutely gorgeous lakeside estate setting. It feels like you are in some show on the BBC when…read morestrolling the grounds. I was there for a scientific conference for three days and hated to leave. The food was classically French, with lunch and dinner three course menus that left you happy. The town of Annecy is a very pleasant 6km walk along the lake with many sections comprised of a boardwalk. If you ever get a chance to visit it is well worth it.

This is a fantastic restaurant with consistently delicious food at reasonable prices. The service…read moreis friendly and accommodating and they offer a great range of dishes, which are presented beautifully. The quality of the fish and meat that they use is superb and they offer a choice of vegetarian dishes, which is very unusual in France, and can adapt any meal if necessary. The wine selection is good and the deserts are typically French. Children are welcome and you can eat either inside in a wooden-floored restaurant with large windows, or outside on the balcony overlooking the beautiful Talloires bay. The grounds below have a grass plage running down to the stunning lake Annecy and wonderful mountains in the background. There are also lots of mature trees that provide welcome shade in the summer. We love this place and it has remained consistently good in all the years we have eaten there.

We had an amazing Michelin star meal at the hotel's Gastronomique. We selected the 109 euro menu…read moreand it was 11 courses. When the waiter kept bringing new silverware we thought he was kidding. My husband snd I travel a good bit and I'm confident to say this was one of the best meals we've ever had. Highly recommend drinks in the garden first.

A bit expensive for vegetarian dishes, but very authentic and good. The ambience could not be more…read moreromantic. It resembles a french chalet in Megeve and Normandy. Great.

From the owner: La petite maison dans la prairie Jolie petite chaumière au calme, en pleine nature et à deux pas…read moredes stations de ski. La cuisine est authentique, copieuse et fine quand la nature creuse, et digne des 2 cheminées au Logis de France. En outre, durant la saison d'hiver, La Chaumière propose une prestation fort appréciée : le pack ski comprenant l'hébergement, le transport, la location de matériel et le forfait à utiliser au Grand-Bornand. Pour les groupes, c'est un lieu de rencontre tranquille, idéal pour le brainstorming durant les séminaires ou pour organiser un banquet lors d'une réunion de famille ou d'un heureux événement.